Sir Ian McKellen is a highly acclaimed English actor renowned for his versatile performances across stage and screen. A British cultural icon knighted in 1991, he has starred in Shakespearean dramas, modern theater, and popular fantasy and science fiction franchises. McKellen's impressive career has earned him numerous prestigious awards, including a Tony Award, multiple Laurence Olivier Awards, an Actor Award, and a Golden Globe. He also received nominations for Academy Awards, BAFTAs, and Emmy Awards, cementing his status as one of the most respected actors of his generation.
Ian McKellen stars in 'The Christophers', directed by Steven Soderbergh, which explores an artist's duel. Neon plans a conversation series alongside the film's release, focusing on the art world and McKellen's performance.
Ian McKellen was born in May 1939 in Burnley, Lancashire, to Margery Lois and Denis Murray McKellen.
In September 1939, shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War, Ian McKellen's family moved to Wigan when he was four months old.
In 1951, Ian McKellen's family relocated to Bolton after his father received a promotion.
In 1958, at the age of 18, Ian McKellen won a scholarship to the University of Cambridge to study English literature at St Catharine's College.
In March 1959, Ian McKellen performed as Justice Shallow in Henry IV alongside Trevor Nunn and Derek Jacobi.
In 1961, Ian McKellen made his first professional appearance at the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry, as Roper in A Man for All Seasons.
In 1961, Ian McKellen made his stage debut at the Belgrade Theatre as a member of its repertory company.
In 1964, Ian McKellen began his relationship with Brian Taylor, a history teacher from Bolton.
In 1965, McKellen made his first appearance in London's West End theatre district. In the same year, he debuted on Broadway in 'The Promise'.
In 1966, Ian McKellen starred as the title character in the BBC's adaptation of David Copperfield, which was watched by 12 million viewers.
In 1969, Ian McKellen appeared in 'A Touch of Love'.
In 1969, Ian McKellen joined the Prospect Theatre Company and played lead roles in Shakespeare's Richard II and Marlowe's Edward II.
In 1969, Ian McKellen starred in three films: 'The Promise', 'Alfred the Great', and 'A Touch of Love'.
In 1969, with the Prospect Theatre Company, Ian McKellen made his breakthrough performances of Shakespeare's Richard II and Christopher Marlowe's Edward II at the Edinburgh Festival.
In 1972, Ian McKellen's eight-year relationship with Brian Taylor ended.
From 1973 to 1974, McKellen toured the United Kingdom and Brooklyn Academy of Music portraying Lady Wishfort's Footman, Kruschov, and Edgar in The Way of the World, The Wood Demon and King Lear.
From 1973 to 1974, McKellen toured the United Kingdom and Brooklyn Academy of Music portraying Lady Wishfort's Footman, Kruschov, and Edgar in The Way of the World, The Wood Demon and King Lear.
From 1976 to 1977, he portrayed Romeo in the Shakespeare romance Romeo & Juliet at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
In 1976, Ian McKellen played the title role in William Shakespeare's Macbeth and Iago in Othello at Stratford.
From 1976 to 1977, he portrayed Romeo in the Shakespeare romance Romeo & Juliet at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
In 1977, Ian McKellen won an Olivier Award for his performance in 'Pillars of the Community'.
From 1978 to 1979, Ian McKellen toured in a double feature production of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, and Anton Chekov's Three Sisters portraying Sir Toby Belch and Andrei, respectively.
In 1978, Ian McKellen met his second partner, Sean Mathias, at the Edinburgh Festival.
In 1978, Ian McKellen won an Olivier Award for his performance in 'The Alchemist'.
In 1979, Ian McKellen gained acclaim for his role as Antonio Salieri in the Broadway transfer production of Peter Shaffer's play Amadeus and received the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play.
In 1979, Ian McKellen won an Olivier Award for his performance in 'Bent'.
In 1980, Ian McKellen had his first leading role as D. H. Lawrence in 'Priest of Love'.
In 1980, Ian McKellen received the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his role as Antonio Salieri in 'Amadeus'.
In 1981, Ian McKellen portrayed writer and poet D. H. Lawrence in the Christopher Miles directed biographical film, 'Priest of Love'.
In 1981, Ian McKellen won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his performance in 'Amadeus'.
In 1983, Ian McKellen starred in Michael Mann's horror film 'The Keep'.
In 1984, Ian McKellen won an Olivier Award for his performance in 'Wild Honey'.
In 1985, Ian McKellen starred in 'Plenty'.
In 1986, Ian McKellen returned to Broadway in 'Wild Honey'.
In 1988, Ian McKellen came out to the general public on BBC Radio programme Third Ear in response to Section 28 of the Local Government Act.
In 1988, Ian McKellen lobbied Michael Howard, then Environment Secretary, against Section 28, who refused to change his position.
In 1988, Ian McKellen publicly came out as gay and has since championed LGBT social movements worldwide.
In 1988, Ian McKellen's relationship with Sean Mathias ended after lasting for a decade.
In 1989, Ian McKellen played Iago in a production of Othello by the Royal Shakespeare Company and starred in the British drama Scandal as John Profumo.
From 1990 to 1992, Ian McKellen acted in a world tour of a lauded revival of Richard III, playing the title character.
In 1990, Ian McKellen returned to Broadway in 'Dance of Death'.
In 1991, Ian McKellen was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his contributions to the performing arts.
In 1991, Ian McKellen was knighted in the New Year Honours for services to the performing arts.
In 1991, Ian McKellen won an Olivier Award for his performance in 'Richard III'.
From 1990 to 1992, Ian McKellen acted in a world tour of a lauded revival of Richard III, playing the title character. For his performance he received the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor.
In 1992, Ian McKellen acted in Pam Gems's revival of Chekov's Uncle Vanya at the Royal National Theatre alongside Antony Sher, and Janet McTeer.
In 1993, Ian McKellen had minor roles in the TV miniseries "Tales of the City" and appeared in the HBO film "And the Band Played On", where he played gay rights activist Bill Kraus. For his performance he received the CableACE Award and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award. Also from 1993 to 1997, McKellen toured in his one-man show entitled "A Knights Out".
In 1993, Ian McKellen starred in 'Six Degrees of Separation'.
In 1993, Ian McKellen starred in the film Six Degrees of Separation based on the play of the same name, the western The Ballad of Little Jo, and the action comedy Last Action Hero.
In 1994, at the closing ceremony of the Gay Games, Ian McKellen addressed the crowd, saying, "I'm Sir Ian McKellen, but you can call me Serena".
In 1995, Ian McKellen achieved worldwide fame for his film role as King Richard III in 'Richard III'.
In 1995, Ian McKellen appeared in the BBC television comedy film "Cold Comfort Farm".
In 1995, Ian McKellen made his screenwriting debut with "Richard III", a film adaptation of Shakespeare's play set in 1930s Britain, where he also starred as Richard. He also appeared in "Restoration" and "Jack and Sarah" that same year.
In 1995, Ian McKellen won an Olivier Award for his performance in 'Richard III'.
In 1996, Ian McKellen starred as Tsar Nicholas II in the HBO movie "Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny", winning a Golden Globe Award for his performance and receiving a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.
From 1997 to 1998, Ian McKellen starred as Dr. Tomas Stockmann in a revival of Henrik Ibsen's "An Enemy of the People".
In 1998, Ian McKellen appeared in "Apt Pupil", playing a fugitive Nazi officer. That same year, he played James Whale in "Gods and Monsters", earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
In 1998, Ian McKellen commented on the 29th anniversary of the Stonewall riots.
In 1998, Ian McKellen gained worldwide fame for his film role as James Whale in 'Gods and Monsters'.
In 1999, Ian McKellen appeared as Mr. Creakle in the BBC series "David Copperfield", based on the Charles Dickens novel.
In 1999, Ian McKellen received an Academy Award nomination for his performance in 'Gods and Monsters'.
In 1999, Ian McKellen was cast as Magneto in the upcoming film "X-Men".
In 1999, while filming "X-Men", Ian McKellen was cast as Gandalf in Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings" film trilogy.
In 2000, Ian McKellen began his role as Magneto in the X-Men films.
In 2000, Ian McKellen played Magneto in the film "X-Men".
In 2001, Ian McKellen received an Academy Award nomination for his performance in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'.
In 2001, Ian McKellen received the Artist Citizen of the World Award in France.
In 2001, Ian McKellen returned to Broadway, performing in August Strindberg's play "The Dance of Death" alongside Helen Mirren and David Strathairn.
In 2001, Ian McKellen starred as Gandalf in "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring". For this role, he won the Screen Actors Guild Award and was nominated for an Academy Award.
In 2001, Ian McKellen starred as Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
On March 16, 2002, Ian McKellen hosted "Saturday Night Live".
In 2002, Ian McKellen performed a solo show, his personally written scene from a Shakespeare annex piece, at the Beverly Hills Canon Theatre.
In 2002, Ian McKellen was the Celebrity Grand Marshal of the San Francisco Pride Parade and attended the Academy Awards with his then-boyfriend.
In 2003, Ian McKellen claimed on Have I Got News For You that he wrote "Fuck off, I'm gay" on an autograph for Michael Howard's children in 1988.
In 2003, Ian McKellen concluded his role as Gandalf in 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy.
In 2003, Ian McKellen made a guest appearance as himself on "The Simpsons" in the British-themed episode "The Regina Monologues".
In 2003, Ian McKellen played Magneto in the film "X2: X-Men United".
In 2003, Ian McKellen starred as Gandalf in "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers".
In 2004, Ian McKellen received the Pride International Film Festival's Lifetime Achievement & Distinction Award.
In May 2005, Ian McKellen played Mel Hutchwright in the British soap opera "Coronation Street", fulfilling a lifelong ambition.
As of 2005, Ian McKellen had been living in Narrow Street, Limehouse, for more than 25 years.
On May 17, 2006, Ian McKellen, along with the cast and director of "The Da Vinci Code", appeared on The Today Show. McKellen made a comment about the Bible possibly needing a disclaimer stating it is fiction, sparking discussion.
In 2006, Ian McKellen appeared in 'Flushed Away'.
In 2006, Ian McKellen appeared in the BBC series "Extras", playing himself. He received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance.
In 2006, Ian McKellen became a patron of Oxford Pride.
In 2006, Ian McKellen played Magneto in the film "X-Men: The Last Stand".
In 2006, Ian McKellen received the Olivier Awards' Society Special Award.
In 2006, Ian McKellen spoke at the pre-launch of the 2007 LGBT History Month in the UK, lending his support to the organisation.
In 2006, Ian McKellen was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
In 2007, Ian McKellen became a patron of The Albert Kennedy Trust, an organisation that supports young, homeless and troubled LGBT people.
In 2007, Ian McKellen narrated the film "Stardust" and voiced Iorek Byrnison in "The Golden Compass".
In 2007, Ian McKellen returned to the Royal Shakespeare Company, starring in productions of "King Lear" and "The Seagull".
In December 2008, Ian McKellen was named in Out's annual Out 100 list.
In 2008, Ian McKellen was made a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) in the New Year Honours for services to drama and to equality.
In 2009, Ian McKellen portrayed Number Two in "The Prisoner", a remake of the 1967 series, and appeared in a revival of "Waiting for Godot" at London's Haymarket Theatre.
In 2009, Ian McKellen received The Lebedev Special Award in the Evening Standard Theatre Awards.
In 2009, Sean Mathias directed Ian McKellen in Waiting for Godot at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.
In April 2010, Ian McKellen, along with Brian Cox and Eleanor Bron, appeared in TV advertisements to support Age UK.
In 2010, Ian McKellen extended his support for Liverpool's Homotopia festival, which included an anti-homophobia campaign pack for schools.
In 2010, McKellen played in New Zealand for the last time at the Isaac Theatre Royal for his work in Waiting for Godot
In February 2011, The February 2011 Christchurch earthquake occurred, prompting Ian McKellen to umpire in March 2011 for a charity cricket match in New Zealand to support earthquake victims.
In March 2011, Ian McKellen umpired for a charity cricket match in New Zealand to support earthquake victims of the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake.
In May 2011, Ian McKellen called Sergey Sobyanin, Moscow's mayor, a "coward" for refusing to allow gay parades in the city.
In 2011, the Isaac Theatre Royal suffered extensive damage during the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.
In late August 2012, Ian McKellen portrayed Prospero from "The Tempest" at the opening ceremony of the London Paralympics.
In 2012, Ian McKellen participated in the London Summer Paralympics opening ceremony as Prospero from Shakespeare's The Tempest.
In 2012, Ian McKellen reprised his role as Gandalf in The Hobbit trilogy.
In 2012, Ian McKellen reprised the role of Gandalf in "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey".
In 2012, Ian McKellen stated on his blog that his prostate cancer was contained and required no treatment.
In 2012, Ian McKellen was honored by Only Make Believe, an organization that creates and performs interactive plays in children's hospitals.
While filming The Hobbit in 2012, Ian McKellen announced a special New Zealand tour 'Shakespeare, Tolkien and You!', with proceeds going to help save the Isaac Theatre Royal.
In November 2013, Ian McKellen appeared in the "Doctor Who" 50th anniversary comedy homage, "The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot".
In November 2013, Ian McKellen hosted Only Make Believe's annual Make Believe on Broadway Gala.
From 2013 to 2014, Ian McKellen starred in a double production of Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot" and Harold Pinter's "No Man's Land" on Broadway.
In 2013, Ian McKellen returned to Broadway in 'No Man's Land' and 'Waiting for Godot', a joint production with Patrick Stewart.
In early 2013, Ian McKellen registered as a marriage officiant to preside over the marriage of Patrick Stewart and Sunny Ozell.
In June 2014, Ian McKellen was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Letters by the University of Cambridge.
In October 2014, Ian McKellen was awarded the Freedom of the City of London.
In 2014, Ian McKellen reprised his role as Magneto in "X-Men: Days of Future Past", sharing the role with Michael Fassbender.
In 2014, Ian McKellen reprised the role of Gandalf in "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies", and Magneto in "X-Men: Days of Future Past".
In 2014, Ian McKellen was named in the top 10 on the World Pride Power list.
In 2014, Ian McKellen's role as Magneto in the X-Men films ended.
In 2015, Ian McKellen played Sherlock Holmes in "Mr. Holmes" and appeared as Norman in "The Dresser" for BBC Two, receiving a British Academy Television Award nomination for his performance in the latter.
In 2015, Ian McKellen starred in 'Mr. Holmes'.
In 2015, Ian McKellen was gifted a cobble from the exterior set of "Coronation Street" for his seventy-sixth birthday.
In July 2017, Ian McKellen performed a new one-man show for a week at Park Theatre (London), donating the proceeds to the theatre.
In October 2017, Ian McKellen played King Lear at the Chichester Festival Theatre, calling it his "last big Shakespearean part".
In 2017, Ian McKellen played Cogsworth in 'Beauty and the Beast'.
In 2017, Ian McKellen played Cogsworth in the live-action adaptation of 'Beauty and the Beast' and appeared in the documentary 'McKellen: Playing the Part'.
In 2017, Ian McKellen received the Honorary Award from the Istanbul International Film Festival.
In 2018, Ian McKellen voiced Dr. Cecil Pritchfield in 'Family Guy' and appeared in Kenneth Branagh's historical drama 'All is True' as Henry Wriothesley.
In 2019, Ian McKellen appeared in 'The Good Liar'.
In 2019, Ian McKellen starred in 'The Good Liar' opposite Helen Mirren and appeared as Gus the Theatre Cat in the movie musical adaptation of 'Cats'.
In 2019, to celebrate his 80th birthday, Ian McKellen performed in a one-man stage show titled 'Ian McKellen on Stage: With Tolkien, Shakespeare, Others and YOU', touring across the UK and Ireland.
On June 1, 2020, Ian McKellen joined Josh Gad's YouTube series Reunited Apart, reuniting with his Lord of the Rings co-stars through video-conferencing to promote donations to non-profit charities.
In 2020, Ian McKellen was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the British Shakespeare Association.
In 2020, Ian McKellen won an Olivier Award for his performance in 'Ian McKellen on Stage: With Tolkien, Shakespeare, Others and YOU'.
In 2023, Björn Ulvaeus and Ian McKellen would be knitting stagewear for Kylie Minogue as part of her More Than Just a Residency concert residency at Voltaire at The Venetian Las Vegas.
In 2023, Ian McKellen starred in the period thriller 'The Critic', which premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival.
In April 2024, Ian McKellen starred as John Falstaff in Player Kings at the Noël Coward Theatre in London's West End, receiving rave reviews. However, he later withdrew from the production due to a fall during a performance.
In 2025, Ian McKellen has a cameo appearance on video as the dog Toto in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz-lington at the Pleasance Theatre, Islington.
In 2026, Ian McKellen is scheduled to continue his role as Magneto in the X-Men films.
In 2026, Ian McKellen is set to reprise his role as Magneto in 'Avengers: Doomsday'.
In 2027, Ian McKellen is also attached to return as Gandalf in the Andy Serkis directed 'The Hunt for Gollum'.
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