Introduction
Sir Ian McKellen — one of his generation’s celebrated actors. McKellen, a versatile actor with over six decades in the industry, has starred in everything from classical Shakespearean theatre to blockbuster films and is a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
Family and Early Life
Name: Ian McKellen Age: 10 (Born May 25, 1939, Burnley, Lancashire) He was raised in a middle-class household. Being a civil engineer Denis McKellen, his father, and Margery McKellen, a homemaker was the mother of Ian. Ian was exposed to the arts at a young age by his parents, and he quickly caught on to theater. McKellen also has one sibling, Jean McKellen with whom he is very close. It was his family who offered him a support system, which provided help and solidity to foray into the space of acting.
Relationships & Personal Life
Openly gay, McKellen has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights most of his life. Clinton came out in public first on a BBC Radio phone-in show in 1988, discussing the then-controversial Section 28 law which sought to ban the “promotion” of homosexuality by local authorities. It was a personal and public turning point. McKellen has never married, and he has always been very private about his personal life, although he is an icon in the LGBTQ+ community.
Early Career
The acting career of McKellen started on the stage during the 1960s and his outstanding ability came to attention. He later joined the Royal Shakespeare Company and played several distinguished roles. He was praised for his skill in classical roles, specifically his title role in Shakespearean plays. His stage work in the 1930s had prefigured his film and television career.
Hollywood Success
In the 90s, McKellen gained worldwide attention with his role in the modernized Richard III (1995), though he was already an acclaimed stage performer. But it was as Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-2003) that he became a household name globally. He won critical acclaim and received multiple award nominations for his performance in the series. Notably, McKellen also played the role of Magneto in the *X-Men* franchise which is another reason why he became an iconic figure.
*Awards and Honors*
Throughout his successful career, Ian McKellen has won numerous awards and nominations. He (Knighted in 1991 for his contribution to the dramatic arts) is an actor whose work is possibly unrivaled: six Olivier Awards, two Academy Awards, two Emmy Awards, and three BAFTA awards. As well as Academy Award nominations for Gods and Monsters (1998) and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), he also won a Tony for his work on Broadway.
Activism and Advocacy
As well as his acting work, McKellen is an outspoken activist for LGBTQ+ causes. Revealing himself coming from a society where being gay was looked down upon, was a daring act, and that certainly has made him an influential personality in advocating for equality. He started up Stonewall, a leading UK LGBT organization, and has tirelessly championed tolerance and respect.
Records and Milestones
Among other things, McKellen is also the recipient of several Guinness World Records. An actor earned an Academy Award nomination for his performance in both Lord of the Rings and X-Men, two of the highest-grossing film series ever.
Recent Career and Projects
His ongoing love of acting sees McKellen still take on work into his 80s. However, he has returned to live performance in recent years, appearing in productions including King Lear and Hamlet. In 2020, it was his turn in The Good Liar alongside Helen Mirren that earned a great deal of critical accolades due to its storytelling and acting. He also lent his voice to animated projects more than once, further displaying his versatility.
Latest Updates
Recently, McKellen is due to return as Gandalf in a new Lord Of The Rings-related project, news which has sent fans into meltdown. He has also said that he will be appearing in upcoming theatre productions in London, proving his fondness for the stage is as strong as ever. He actively uses his profile to advocate for social justice issues, including recent campaigns for LGBTQ+ rights and climate change action.
