Early Life and Education of Ian McKellen: A Complete Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Ian McKellen. From birth to education, explore key events.

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.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

May 1939: McKellen's Birth

Ian McKellen was born in May 1939 in Burnley, Lancashire, to Margery Lois and Denis Murray McKellen.

September 1939: Family Moved to Wigan

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.

1951: Family Moved to Bolton

In 1951, Ian McKellen's family relocated to Bolton after his father received a promotion.

1958: Won Scholarship to Cambridge

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.

1972: Ended relationship with Brian Taylor

In 1972, Ian McKellen's eight-year relationship with Brian Taylor ended.

1978: Met Sean Mathias

In 1978, Ian McKellen met his second partner, Sean Mathias, at the Edinburgh Festival.

1988: Came out to the public

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.

1988: Lobbying Michael Howard against Section 28

In 1988, Ian McKellen lobbied Michael Howard, then Environment Secretary, against Section 28, who refused to change his position.

1988: McKellen Comes Out as Gay

In 1988, Ian McKellen publicly came out as gay and has since championed LGBT social movements worldwide.

1988: Relationship with Sean Mathias ended

In 1988, Ian McKellen's relationship with Sean Mathias ended after lasting for a decade.

1991: Knighthood

In 1991, Ian McKellen was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his contributions to the performing arts.

1994: Appearance at the closing ceremony of the Gay Games

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".

1998: Commented on the 29th anniversary of Stonewall riots

In 1998, Ian McKellen commented on the 29th anniversary of the Stonewall riots.

2002: Celebrity Grand Marshal of the San Francisco Pride Parade

In 2002, Ian McKellen was the Celebrity Grand Marshal of the San Francisco Pride Parade and attended the Academy Awards with his then-boyfriend.

2003: Appearance on Have I Got News For You

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.

2005: Living in Narrow Street, Limehouse

As of 2005, Ian McKellen had been living in Narrow Street, Limehouse, for more than 25 years.

2006: Became a patron of Oxford Pride

In 2006, Ian McKellen became a patron of Oxford Pride.

2006: Spoke at the pre-launch of the 2007 LGBT History Month

In 2006, Ian McKellen spoke at the pre-launch of the 2007 LGBT History Month in the UK, lending his support to the organisation.

2007: Became a patron of The Albert Kennedy Trust

In 2007, Ian McKellen became a patron of The Albert Kennedy Trust, an organisation that supports young, homeless and troubled LGBT people.

December 2008: Named in Out's annual Out 100 list

In December 2008, Ian McKellen was named in Out's annual Out 100 list.

April 2010: Appeared in TV ads for Age UK

In April 2010, Ian McKellen, along with Brian Cox and Eleanor Bron, appeared in TV advertisements to support Age UK.

2010: Extended support for Liverpool's Homotopia festival

In 2010, Ian McKellen extended his support for Liverpool's Homotopia festival, which included an anti-homophobia campaign pack for schools.

2010: Waiting for Godot

In 2010, McKellen played in New Zealand for the last time at the Isaac Theatre Royal for his work in Waiting for Godot

February 2011: The February 2011 Christchurch earthquake

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.

March 2011: Umpired for a charity cricket match in New Zealand

In March 2011, Ian McKellen umpired for a charity cricket match in New Zealand to support earthquake victims of the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake.

May 2011: Called Sergey Sobyanin a coward

In May 2011, Ian McKellen called Sergey Sobyanin, Moscow's mayor, a "coward" for refusing to allow gay parades in the city.

2011: 2011 Christchurch earthquake

In 2011, the Isaac Theatre Royal suffered extensive damage during the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.

August 2012: Portrayal of Prospero at the London Paralympics Opening Ceremony

In late August 2012, Ian McKellen portrayed Prospero from "The Tempest" at the opening ceremony of the London Paralympics.

2012: Honored by Only Make Believe

In 2012, Ian McKellen was honored by Only Make Believe, an organization that creates and performs interactive plays in children's hospitals.

2012: Announced New Zealand tour 'Shakespeare, Tolkien and You!'

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.

November 2013: Hosted Make Believe on Broadway Gala

In November 2013, Ian McKellen hosted Only Make Believe's annual Make Believe on Broadway Gala.

2013: Registered as a marriage officiant

In early 2013, Ian McKellen registered as a marriage officiant to preside over the marriage of Patrick Stewart and Sunny Ozell.

June 2014: Awarded honorary Doctorate of Letters by the University of Cambridge

In June 2014, Ian McKellen was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Letters by the University of Cambridge.

October 2014: Awarded Freedom of the City of London

In October 2014, Ian McKellen was awarded the Freedom of the City of London.

2014: Named in the top 10 on the World Pride Power list

In 2014, Ian McKellen was named in the top 10 on the World Pride Power list.

2015: Gifted a Cobble from Coronation Street Set

In 2015, Ian McKellen was gifted a cobble from the exterior set of "Coronation Street" for his seventy-sixth birthday.

July 2017: Performed a one-man show at Park Theatre

In July 2017, Ian McKellen performed a new one-man show for a week at Park Theatre (London), donating the proceeds to the theatre.

2019: Performing 'Ian McKellen on Stage' and touring across the UK and Ireland

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.

June 2020: Joined Josh Gad's YouTube series Reunited Apart

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.

November 2021: Posting Knitting Videos with Björn Ulvaeus

Since November 2021, Ian McKellen and ABBA member Björn Ulvaeus have posted Instagram videos featuring the pair knitting Christmas jumpers.

2023: Knitting stagewear for Kylie Minogue

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.