Ian Mckellen

Ian McKellen is an English actor, born on May 25, 1939, in Burnley, Lancashire, England. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most versatile actors of his generation, with a career spanning over six decades in both theatre and film. McKellen is known for his remarkable performances in a wide range of roles, from Shakespearean classics to iconic fantasy films.

One of McKellen's most celebrated roles is that of Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-2003) and The Hobbit trilogy (2012-2014), directed by Peter Jackson. His portrayal of the wise and powerful wizard has become one of the defining performances in modern cinema. Additionally, McKellen's role as Magneto in the X-Men series (2000-2017) solidified his status as a Hollywood icon.

However, McKellen’s talents extend far beyond his work in blockbuster films. He is also a highly respected stage actor, particularly known for his performances in Shakespearean roles. He has performed in numerous productions of Shakespeare’s works, including as Hamlet, Richard III, and King Lear, and has received widespread acclaim for his powerful stage presence and emotional depth.

Throughout his career, McKellen has received numerous awards, including multiple Olivier Awards, Tony Awards, and BAFTA nominations. His contribution to the arts was recognized in 2002 when he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to drama.

In addition to his acting career, McKellen is known for his strong advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. He came out publicly as gay in 1988 and has been an outspoken supporter of LGBTQ+ equality ever since, using his platform to fight for social justice and acceptance. He is a co-founder of the gay rights group Stonewall and has worked to raise awareness for LGBTQ+ causes throughout his career.

Ian McKellen's legacy is marked not only by his extraordinary talent but also by his commitment to challenging societal norms and advocating for inclusivity, both on and off the stage and screen. He remains an influential figure in both the world of theatre and film.

Articles by the author

Godot is whatever it is in life that you are waiting for: 'I'm waiting to win the lottery. I'm waiting to fall in love'. For me, as a child, it was Christmas. At least that eventually came.

Ian Mckellen

I certainly don't disparage someone whose attitude towards their work is utterly different from mine - that's up to them.

Ian Mckellen

When we'd suggested doing it, the Theatre Royal management had said, 'Nobody wants to see Waiting for Godot.' As it happened, every single ticket was booked for every single performance, and this confirmation that our judgment was right was sweet. Audiences came to us from all over the world. It was amazing.

Ian Mckellen

I'm not quite as cool as I would like to be, really.

Ian Mckellen

What I particularly like about Broadway is the camaraderie and the friendship of other people in other shows. Everybody knows you're opening and cares about you. There's a real village atmosphere.

Ian Mckellen

It's only fair that stable gay relationships of long standing should have the same rights and responsibilities as married couples. I know the image of gay marriage is to some people horrific and ludicrous.

Ian Mckellen

Even now, there are young actors who want careers as romantic leading men, and the best thing is not to reveal you're gay.

Ian Mckellen

The conventional wisdom is that if you are gay, you cannot play the romantic straight lead in a movie.

Ian Mckellen

The huge difference in my lifetime is that you can just go up to somebody and make a pass. You couldn't do that in the 1950s if you were gay. There were secret handshakes, a secret language. There was nowhere you could go to be romantic outside of people's houses.

Ian Mckellen

You won't hear me talk about my politics, you won't hear me talk about my vegetarianism, you won't hear me comment on the Iraq war. You'll only hear me talk about being gay and being an actor. I am just public on those two issues.

Ian Mckellen