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 Widely regarded as one of greatest stage and screen actors both in his native Great Britain and internationally, twice nominated for the Oscar and recipient of every major theatrical award in the UK and US, Ian Murray McKellen was born on May 25, 1939 in Burnley, Lancashire, England, to Margery Lois (Sutcliffe) and Denis Murray McKellen, a civil engineer and lay preacher. He is of Scottish, Northern Irish, and English descent. During his early childhood, his parents moved with Ian and his older sister, Jean, to the mill town of Wigan. It was in this small town that young Ian rode out World War II. He soon developed a fascination with acting and the theatre, which was encouraged by his parents. They would take him to plays, those by William Shakespeare, in particular. The amateur school productions fostered Ian's growing passion for theatre.When Ian was of age to begin attending school, he made sure to get roles in all of the productions. At Bolton School in particular, he developed his skills early on. Indeed, his first role in a Shakespearian play was at Bolton, as Malvolio in "Twelfth Night". Ian soon began attending Stratford-upon-Avon theatre festivals, where he saw the greats perform: Laurence Olivier, Wendy Hiller, John Gielgud, Ralph Richardson and Paul Robeson. He continued his education in English Drama, but soon it fell by the wayside as he concentrated more and more on performing. He eventually obtained his Bachelor of Arts in 1961, and began his career in earnest.McKellen began working in theatre over the next few years. Very few people knew of Ian's homosexuality; he saw no reason to go public, nor had he told his family. They did not seem interested in the subject and so he saw no reason to bring it up. In 1988, Ian publicly came out of the closet on the BBC Radio 4 program, while discussing Margaret Thatcher's "Section 28" legislation, which made the promotion of homosexuality as a family relationship by local authorities an offense. It was reason enough for McKellen to take a stand. He has been active in the gay rights movement ever since.Ian resides in Limehouse, where he has also lived with his former long-time partner Sean Mathias. The two men have also worked together on the film Bent (1997) as well as in exquisite stage productions. To this day, McKellen works mostly in theatre, and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1990 for his efforts in the arts. However, he has managed to make several quite successful forays into film. He has appeared in several productions of Shakespeare's works including his well received Richard III (1995), and in a variety of other movies. However, it has only been recently that his star has finally begun to shine in the eyes of North American audiences. Roles in various films, Cold Comfort Farm (1995), Apt Pupil (1998) and Gods and Monsters (1998), riveted audiences. The latter, in particular, created a sensation in Hollywood, and McKellen's role garnered him several of awards and nominations, including a Golden Globe and an Oscar nod. McKellen, as he continues to work extensively on stage, he always keeps in 'solidifying' his 'role' as Laurence Olivier's worthy 'successor' in the best sense too, such as King Lear (2008) / King Lear (2008) directed by Trevor Nunn and in a range of other staggering performances full of generously euphoric delight that have included "Peter Pan" and No?l Coward's "Present Laughter", as well as Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot" and Harold Pinter's "No Man's Land" (National Theatre Live: No Man's Land (2016)), both in acclaimed productions brilliantly directed by Sean Mathias.McKellen found mainstream success with his performance as Magneto in X-Men (2000) and its sequels. His largest mark on the big screen may be as Gandalf in "The Lord of the Rings" film trilogy directed by Peter Jackson, which he reprised in "The Hobbit" trilogy. He also reprised the role of 'King Lear' with new artistic perspectives in National Theatre Live: King Lear (2018) offering an invaluable mesmerizing experience as a natural force of stage - and screen - of infinite generosity through his unsurpassable interpretation of the titanically vulnerable king.
Bio:
Widely regarded as one of greatest stage and screen actors both in his native Great Britain and internationally, twice nominated for the Oscar and recipient of every major theatrical award in the UK and US, Ian Murray McKellen was born on May 25, 1939 in Burnley, Lancashire, England, to Margery Lois (Sutcliffe) and Denis Murray McKellen, a civil engineer and lay preacher. He is of Scottish, Northern Irish, and English descent. During his early childhood, his parents moved with Ian and his older sister, Jean, to the mill town of Wigan. It was in this small town that young Ian rode out World War II. He soon developed a fascination with acting and the theatre, which was encouraged by his parents. They would take him to plays, those by William Shakespeare, in particular. The amateur school productions fostered Ian's growing passion for theatre.When Ian was of age to begin attending school, he made sure to get roles in all of the productions. At Bolton School in particular, he developed his skills early on. Indeed, his first role in a Shakespearian play was at Bolton, as Malvolio in "Twelfth Night". Ian soon began attending Stratford-upon-Avon theatre festivals, where he saw the greats perform: Laurence Olivier, Wendy Hiller, John Gielgud, Ralph Richardson and Paul Robeson. He continued his education in English Drama, but soon it fell by the wayside as he concentrated more and more on performing. He eventually obtained his Bachelor of Arts in 1961, and began his career in earnest.McKellen began working in theatre over the next few years. Very few people knew of Ian's homosexuality; he saw no reason to go public, nor had he told his family. They did not seem interested in the subject and so he saw no reason to bring it up. In 1988, Ian publicly came out of the closet on the BBC Radio 4 program, while discussing Margaret Thatcher's "Section 28" legislation, which made the promotion of homosexuality as a family relationship by local authorities an offense. It was reason enough for McKellen to take a stand. He has been active in the gay rights movement ever since.Ian resides in Limehouse, where he has also lived with his former long-time partner Sean Mathias. The two men have also worked together on the film Bent (1997) as well as in exquisite stage productions. To this day, McKellen works mostly in theatre, and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1990 for his efforts in the arts. However, he has managed to make several quite successful forays into film. He has appeared in several productions of Shakespeare's works including his well received Richard III (1995), and in a variety of other movies. However, it has only been recently that his star has finally begun to shine in the eyes of North American audiences. Roles in various films, Cold Comfort Farm (1995), Apt Pupil (1998) and Gods and Monsters (1998), riveted audiences. The latter, in particular, created a sensation in Hollywood, and McKellen's role garnered him several of awards and nominations, including a Golden Globe and an Oscar nod. McKellen, as he continues to work extensively on stage, he always keeps in 'solidifying' his 'role' as Laurence Olivier's worthy 'successor' in the best sense too, such as King Lear (2008) / King Lear (2008) directed by Trevor Nunn and in a range of other staggering performances full of generously euphoric delight that have included "Peter Pan" and No?l Coward's "Present Laughter", as well as Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot" and Harold Pinter's "No Man's Land" (National Theatre Live: No Man's Land (2016)), both in acclaimed productions brilliantly directed by Sean Mathias.McKellen found mainstream success with his performance as Magneto in X-Men (2000) and its sequels. His largest mark on the big screen may be as Gandalf in "The Lord of the Rings" film trilogy directed by Peter Jackson, which he reprised in "The Hobbit" trilogy. He also reprised the role of 'King Lear' with new artistic perspectives in National Theatre Live: King Lear (2018) offering an invaluable mesmerizing experience as a natural force of stage - and screen - of infinite generosity through his unsurpassable interpretation of the titanically vulnerable king.
Tivia:
Began acting as a means of escape from mourning after his mother's death and constant bullying at school from fellow students.Revealed in December 2012 that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.Before performing the role of Gandalf, he listened to a recording of J.R.R. Tolkien reading Gandalf lines from the novel. He used this as a base for creating the character, and imitated the accent used by Tolkien in the recording.At 74 years old, he is the oldest actor to be cast in the role of Sherlock Holmes.According to an interview, one of the last things Margaret Thatcher did as Prime Minister was recommending him for a knighthood.Had a tattoo of the Elvish character for nine along with seven other members of the fellowship in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001).He said that appeal of the X-Men films to him was the concept of mutants being shunned, something he says he identifies with as he was repeatedly shunned as an open homosexual.Turned down the role of Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004). He was quoted saying "I had enough trouble living up to one legend. Two would be too much to hope for." (referring to his role as Gandalf in "Lord of the Rings").Only performer to receive an acting Academy Award nomination for Sir Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy.While being a guest on Jay Leno (December 26, 2003), he said that he had not seen X2: X-Men United (2003) when it opened in theaters, he only saw it when the DVD hit the stores. He then called up Bryan Singer and asked "Is there going to be X-Men 3?" Singer replied "Yes". In his excitement, he got Singer six theater tickets to go see The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003). As it turned out, X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) would not be directed by Singer.Was Head boy at Bolton School.Says the same line, "The war has begun", in the trailers of both the major, unrelated blockbusters X2: X-Men United (2003) and The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002).Wore a prosthetic nose to play Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.Had not read either "The Golden Compass" (aka "Northern Lights") by Philip Pullman, or any of the Lord of the Rings books by J.R.R. Tolkien before he was cast in the movie adaptations.Has played both a Holocaust victim (X-Men (2000)) and a Nazi (Apt Pupil (1998)), both in movies directed by Bryan Singer.Like his The Da Vinci Code (2006) character, Sir Leigh Teabing, he has been knighted. As such, before being cast, he spotted two errors in the book's portrayal of Knighthood. Knights neither receive ID badges nor are granted any of the special privileges Teabing demands as a result of Knighthood.He used the phrase "old friend" in both the X-Men film series and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. In both cases (to Sir Christopher Lee as Saruman in the Lord of the Rings and Sir Patrick Stewart as Xavier in X-Men), it is said to a comrade who has become a nemesis and "old friend" is said mockingly.Was offered $1.5 million by Sean Parker to officiate at his Tolkien-themed wedding in 2013, in costume as Gandalf, but declined, saying "Gandalf doesn't do weddings".Attended and graduated with a 2:2 in English from Cambridge University.Was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) in Stratford-upon-Avon at the same time as Sir Patrick Stewart.Originally aspired to be a journalist.Has played the vampire in the music video "Heart" by the synthpop duo Pet Shop Boys.Originated the role of Antonio Salieri in the Broadway production of "Amadeus".Close friends with Sir Patrick Stewart, Rachel Weisz and Laura Linney, whom he befriended through mutual acquaintance Armistead Maupin.He was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1979 Queen's Birthday Honours List and Knight Bachelor of the Order of the British Empire in the 1991 Queen's New Years Honours List for his services to drama.The original Lord of the Rings books, and X-Men comics, both feature a character named Sauron, and a book entitled "The Return of the King". The X-Men graphic novel "The Return of the King" is, appropriately, about the return of Magneto.In 1972, he was one of thirty-one male celebrities ("Britain's most eligible bachelors") approached by Cosmopolitan magazine for a piece called "What I Want In a Wife". McKellen tactfully replied that his ideal woman didn't exist.He was offered the role of Mission Commander Swanbeck in Mission: Impossible II (2000). He was not able to accept the role, due to a prior theatre engagement in London. The role eventually went to Sir Anthony Hopkins.Had Dame Maggie Smith play his mother in Richard III (1995), and then played her on an episode of "Saturday Night Live". In the BBC Radio production of "Goldfinger", he worked with her real son, Toby Stephens. Smith's former husband, Sir Robert Stephens, also played Aragorn in the BBC Radio version of "The Lord of the Rings".Was ready to play Antonio in Michael Radford's adaptation of William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice (2004), but had to drop at the last minute due to scheduling conflicts.Ian's mother Margery died when he was twelve and his father Denis died when Ian was twenty four.Good friends with Monica Lewinsky. The two met at The 71st Annual Academy Awards (1999). She accompanied him to the London premiere of Gods and Monsters (1998).Received an honorary doctorate from the University of Ulster on February 3, 2013.Has English, Northern Irish and Scottish ancestry.Has played Magneto in three consecutive films - the only other actors to play comic book criminals in three films, as of 2008, are James Franco as Harry Osborn, Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor and his X-Men (2000) co-star, Rebecca Romijn as Mystique.Won Broadway's 1981 Tony Award as Best Actor (Play) for originating the role of Antonio Salieri in "Amadeus". He was nominated in the same category in 1984 for "Ian McKellen Acting Shakespeare".When he appeared on "Desert Island Discs" (the long-running BBC radio program that asks prominent people what eight pieces of music they would take to a deserted island), the pieces he chose were: 1. "Stars and Stripes Forever" (John Philip Sousa) performed by Vladimir Horowitz; 2. Part of "Adagio for Strings" (Barber) performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Geoffrey Simon; 3. Part of 2nd movement of Late Quartet No.13 in B flat Opus 130 (Ludwig van Beethoven) performed by the Lindsay String Quartet; 4. "Rose's Turn" (Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim) performed by Ethel Merman; 5. "Stormy Weather" (Koehler/Arlen) performed by Lena Horne; 6. "Mississippi Goddam" (Nina Simone) performed by Simone; 7. "Harrison's Clocks (Birtwhistle) performed by Joanna McGregor; 8. "Dancing Queen" (B. Andersson/S.Andersson/Ulvaeus) performed by ABBA; His one allowed book was "A Dictionary of Flora and Fauna", and his luxury was a grand piano.Marched at London's Gay Pride Parade on July 5, 2008.Along with Cate Blanchett, he is one of only two actors to appear in all six of Peter Jackson's Middle-earth films: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012), The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) and The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014).His strangest career encounters usually involve avid fans who tell him that they have seen and love all the Harry Potter films.Has made six films with Hugh Jackman: X-Men (2000), X2: X-Men United (2003), X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), Flushed Away (2006), The Wolverine (2013) and X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014).He was awarded the 1989 London Critics Circle Theatre Award (Drama Theatre Award) for Best Actor for his performance in "Othello".Has played Dame Maggie Smith in a "Weekend Update" skit on an episode of Saturday Night Live (1975) that he hosted.Began and abandoned work on his autobiography, returning a million dollar advance from his publisher, after he found the experience of researching his life too painful.Has played cult characters in two of the biggest franchises; he played Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings trilogy and Magneto in the X-Men film series.Although he was 56 years old when he played the title character in Richard III (1995), King Richard III was only 32 years old when he died on August 22, 1485.Has appeared in the Lord of the Rings and X-Men, both of which required a lead character to be recast soon after production started. In the Lord of the Rings, Stuart Townsend was replaced by Viggo Mortensen, and in X-Men (2000), Dougray Scott was replaced by Hugh Jackman.He has two roles in common with Michael Fassbender: (1) McKellen played Macbeth in Macbeth (1979) while Fassbender played him in Macbeth (2015) and (2) McKellen played Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto in X-Men (2000), X2: X-Men United (2003), X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), The Wolverine (2013) and X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) while Fassbender played him in X-Men: First Class (2011), X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014), X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), The Gifted (2017), and X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019). They also each share the role of Macbeth with their respective Professor X's, James McAvoy and Patrick Stewart.In the Independent of Sunday 2006 Pink List - a list of the most influential gay men and women - he came no. 1, up from no. 2, knocking Sir Elton John from top spot.Studied at St. Catharine's College, University of Cambridge, when he was 18, with Sir Derek Jacobi, and with whom he had been "desperately in love", as he confessed on Inside the Actors Studio (1994). In an article in "The Advocate", issue dated December 11, 2001, he further explained that what he had felt for Jacobi in their youth was "a passion that was undeclared and unrequited". |
| Name: |
Ian McKellen |
Type: |
Actor,Writer,Producer (IMDB) |
| Area: |
All World |
Platform: |
IMDB |
| Category: |
|
Business scope: |
Actor,Writer,Producer |
| Products for sale: |
Actor,Writer,Producer |
| Model rank: |
641 |
| Last update: |
2024-07-01 03:15:42 |
| Height: |
6' (1.83 m) |
| Biography: |
Widely regarded as one of greatest stage and screen actors both in his native Great Britain and internationally, twice nominated for the Oscar and recipient of every major theatrical award in the UK and US, Ian Murray McKellen was born on May 25, 193 |
| Trivia: |
Began acting as a means of escape from mourning after his mother's death and constant bullying at school from fellow students.Revealed in December 2012 that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.Before performing the role of Gandalf, he listened to a recording of J.R.R. Tolkien reading Gandalf lines from the novel. He used this as a base for creating the character, and imitated the accent used by Tolkien in the recording.At 74 years old, he is the oldest actor to be cast in the role of Sherlock Holmes.According to an interview, one of the last things Margaret Thatcher did as Prime Minister was recommending him for a knighthood.Had a tattoo of the Elvish character for nine along with seven other members of the fellowship in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001).He said that appeal of the X-Men films to him was the concept of mutants being shunned, something he says he identifies with as he was repeatedly shunned as an open homosexual.Turned down the role of Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004). He was quoted saying "I had enough trouble living up to one legend. Two would be too much to hope for." (referring to his role as Gandalf in "Lord of the Rings").Only performer to receive an acting Academy Award nomination for Sir Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy.While being a guest on Jay Leno (December 26, 2003), he said that he had not seen X2: X-Men United (2003) when it opened in theaters, he only saw it when the DVD hit the stores. He then called up Bryan Singer and asked "Is there going to be X-Men 3?" Singer replied "Yes". In his excitement, he got Singer six theater tickets to go see The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003). As it turned out, X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) would not be directed by Singer.Was Head boy at Bolton School.Says the same line, "The war has begun", in the trailers of both the major, unrelated blockbusters X2: X-Men United (2003) and The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002).Wore a prosthetic nose to play Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.Had not read either "The Golden Compass" (aka "Northern Lights") by Philip Pullman, or any of the Lord of the Rings books by J.R.R. Tolkien before he was cast in the movie adaptations.Has played both a Holocaust victim (X-Men (2000)) and a Nazi (Apt Pupil (1998)), both in movies directed by Bryan Singer.Like his The Da Vinci Code (2006) character, Sir Leigh Teabing, he has been knighted. As such, before being cast, he spotted two errors in the book's portrayal of Knighthood. Knights neither receive ID badges nor are granted any of the special privileges Teabing demands as a result of Knighthood.He used the phrase "old friend" in both the X-Men film series and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. In both cases (to Sir Christopher Lee as Saruman in the Lord of the Rings and Sir Patrick Stewart as Xavier in X-Men), it is said to a comrade who has become a nemesis and "old friend" is said mockingly.Was offered $1.5 million by Sean Parker to officiate at his Tolkien-themed wedding in 2013, in costume as Gandalf, but declined, saying "Gandalf doesn't do weddings".Attended and graduated with a 2:2 in English from Cambridge University.Was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) in Stratford-upon-Avon at the same time as Sir Patrick Stewart.Originally aspired to be a journalist.Has played the vampire in the music video "Heart" by the synthpop duo Pet Shop Boys.Originated the role of Antonio Salieri in the Broadway production of "Amadeus".Close friends with Sir Patrick Stewart, Rachel Weisz and Laura Linney, whom he befriended through mutual acquaintance Armistead Maupin.He was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1979 Queen's Birthday Honours List and Knight Bachelor of the Order of the British Empire in the 1991 Queen's New Years Honours List for his services to drama.The original Lord of the Rings books, and X-Men comics, both feature a character named Sauron, and a book entitled "The Return of the King". The X-Men graphic novel "The Return of the King" is, appropriately, about the return of Magneto.In 1972, he was one of thirty-one male celebrities ("Britain's most eligible bachelors") approached by Cosmopolitan magazine for a piece called "What I Want In a Wife". McKellen tactfully replied that his ideal woman didn't exist.He was offered the role of Mission Commander Swanbeck in Mission: Impossible II (2000). He was not able to accept the role, due to a prior theatre engagement in London. The role eventually went to Sir Anthony Hopkins.Had Dame Maggie Smith play his mother in Richard III (1995), and then played her on an episode of "Saturday Night Live". In the BBC Radio production of "Goldfinger", he worked with her real son, Toby Stephens. Smith's former husband, Sir Robert Stephens, also played Aragorn in the BBC Radio version of "The Lord of the Rings".Was ready to play Antonio in Michael Radford's adaptation of William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice (2004), but had to drop at the last minute due to scheduling conflicts.Ian's mother Margery died when he was twelve and his father Denis died when Ian was twenty four.Good friends with Monica Lewinsky. The two met at The 71st Annual Academy Awards (1999). She accompanied him to the London premiere of Gods and Monsters (1998).Received an honorary doctorate from the University of Ulster on February 3, 2013.Has English, Northern Irish and Scottish ancestry.Has played Magneto in three consecutive films - the only other actors to play comic book criminals in three films, as of 2008, are James Franco as Harry Osborn, Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor and his X-Men (2000) co-star, Rebecca Romijn as Mystique.Won Broadway's 1981 Tony Award as Best Actor (Play) for originating the role of Antonio Salieri in "Amadeus". He was nominated in the same category in 1984 for "Ian McKellen Acting Shakespeare".When he appeared on "Desert Island Discs" (the long-running BBC radio program that asks prominent people what eight pieces of music they would take to a deserted island), the pieces he chose were: 1. "Stars and Stripes Forever" (John Philip Sousa) performed by Vladimir Horowitz; 2. Part of "Adagio for Strings" (Barber) performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Geoffrey Simon; 3. Part of 2nd movement of Late Quartet No.13 in B flat Opus 130 (Ludwig van Beethoven) performed by the Lindsay String Quartet; 4. "Rose's Turn" (Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim) performed by Ethel Merman; 5. "Stormy Weather" (Koehler/Arlen) performed by Lena Horne; 6. "Mississippi Goddam" (Nina Simone) performed by Simone; 7. "Harrison's Clocks (Birtwhistle) performed by Joanna McGregor; 8. "Dancing Queen" (B. Andersson/S.Andersson/Ulvaeus) performed by ABBA; His one allowed book was "A Dictionary of Flora and Fauna", and his luxury was a grand piano.Marched at London's Gay Pride Parade on July 5, 2008.Along with Cate Blanchett, he is one of only two actors to appear in all six of Peter Jackson's Middle-earth films: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012), The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) and The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014).His strangest career encounters usually involve avid fans who tell him that they have seen and love all the Harry Potter films.Has made six films with Hugh Jackman: X-Men (2000), X2: X-Men United (2003), X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), Flushed Away (2006), The Wolverine (2013) and X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014).He was awarded the 1989 London Critics Circle Theatre Award (Drama Theatre Award) for Best Actor for his performance in "Othello".Has played Dame Maggie Smith in a "Weekend Update" skit on an episode of Saturday Night Live (1975) that he hosted.Began and abandoned work on his autobiography, returning a million dollar advance from his publisher, after he found the experience of researching his life too painful.Has played cult characters in two of the biggest franchises; he played Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings trilogy and Magneto in the X-Men film series.Although he was 56 years old when he played the title character in Richard III (1995), King Richard III was only 32 years old when he died on August 22, 1485.Has appeared in the Lord of the Rings and X-Men, both of which required a lead character to be recast soon after production started. In the Lord of the Rings, Stuart Townsend was replaced by Viggo Mortensen, and in X-Men (2000), Dougray Scott was replaced by Hugh Jackman.He has two roles in common with Michael Fassbender: (1) McKellen played Macbeth in Macbeth (1979) while Fassbender played him in Macbeth (2015) and (2) McKellen played Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto in X-Men (2000), X2: X-Men United (2003), X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), The Wolverine (2013) and X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) while Fassbender played him in X-Men: First Class (2011), X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014), X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), The Gifted (2017), and X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019). They also each share the role of Macbeth with their respective Professor X's, James McAvoy and Patrick Stewart.In the Independent of Sunday 2006 Pink List - a list of the most influential gay men and women - he came no. 1, up from no. 2, knocking Sir Elton John from top spot.Studied at St. Catharine's College, University of Cambridge, when he was 18, with Sir Derek Jacobi, and with whom he had been "desperately in love", as he confessed on Inside the Actors Studio (1994). In an article in "The Advocate", issue dated December 11, 2001, he further explained that what he had felt for Jacobi in their youth was "a passion that was undeclared and unrequited". |
| Trademarks: |
Rich and flawless voice, combined with Shakespearean bearing
Distinctively calm style of speaking
Deep, blue eyes |
| Quotes: |
[on his first theatre experience, "Peter Pan"] I wasn't over-impressed. For one thing it wasn't a real crocodile and I could see the wires.
<br />
<hr>
I think it's one thing to declare your sexuality, if you care about what that is. It's another thing to start talking in public about what you do in private and who you do it with. It's not that they [my significant others] don't want to be identified as gay, but that they don't want to be identified as ... with me.
<br />
<hr>
Many unthinking people just don't like the idea of gays joining in their games, nor in the military and, it would seem, in the movies.
<br />
<hr>
When I, as Gandalf, meet Bilbo or Frodo at home, I bump my head on the rafters. [J.R.R. Tolkien] didn't think to mention it.
<br />
<hr>
I am encouraged by the theatricality of [J.R.R. Tolkien's] readings - full of rhythm and humor and characterization. Without question Gandalf is like Tolkien but then so, I suspected, are Frodo and Aragorn. |
| Salaries: |
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) - ��5,000,000
<br />
<hr>
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) - ��4,000,000 |
| Job title: |
Actor,Writer,Producer |
| Others works: |
His Royal Shakespeare Company credits include: the title role in "King Lear" (2007), Sorin in Chekhov's "The Seagull" (2007), Iago in "Othello" (1989, also filmed for TV as Othello (1990)), Andrei in Chekhov's " |
| Children: |
No Children |
| Parents: |
Denis Murray McKellen
Margery Lois Sutcliffe |
| Relatives: |
Jean McKellen (Sibling) |
|
