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 recognized for his versatile performances across various genres, from Shakespearean plays to modern fantasy films. A British cultural icon knighted in 1991, McKellen has received prestigious awards, including a Tony, a Golden Globe, and multiple Olivier Awards. He has also earned nominations for Academy, BAFTA, and Emmy Awards, solidifying 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: Birth in Burnley, Lancashire

In May 1939, Ian McKellen was born in Burnley, Lancashire, to Margery Lois (née Sutcliffe) and Denis Murray McKellen.

May 1939: Ian McKellen's birth

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

September 1939: Family Moved to Wigan

Shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939, Ian McKellen's family moved to Wigan.

1951: Relocation to Bolton

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

1958: Scholarship to St Catharine's College, Cambridge

In 1958, at the age of 18, Ian McKellen won a scholarship to St Catharine's College, Cambridge, to study English literature.

1964: Relationship with Brian Taylor

In 1964, Ian McKellen began his relationship with Brian Taylor, a history teacher. The relationship lasted for eight years.

1972: End of Relationship with Brian Taylor

In 1972, Ian McKellen's eight-year relationship with Brian Taylor came to an end.

1978: Meeting Sean Mathias

In 1978, Ian McKellen met his second partner, Sean Mathias, at the Edinburgh Festival. Their relationship lasted until 1988.

1988: Coming Out on BBC Radio

In 1988, Ian McKellen came out to the general public on the BBC Radio programme Third Ear while discussing the controversial Section 28 of the Local Government Bill.

1988: Lobbying against Section 28

In 1988, Ian McKellen lobbied against Section 28 when he visited Michael Howard, the Environment Secretary at the time.

1988: End of Relationship with Sean Mathias

In 1988, Ian McKellen's relationship with Sean Mathias ended. Despite the end of their relationship, they remained friends and collaborated professionally later on.

1993: Tales of the City and And the Band Played On

In 1993, Ian McKellen appeared in minor roles in the television miniseries "Tales of the City" and the HBO television film "And the Band Played On", where he played gay rights activist Bill Kraus, receiving the CableACE Award and a Primetime Emmy nomination. McKellen also started touring his one-man show, "A Knights Out", about coming out as a gay man in 1993.

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1994: Gay Games Closing Ceremony

In 1994, Ian McKellen addressed the crowd at the closing ceremony of the Gay Games, saying, "I'm Sir Ian McKellen, but you can call me Serena."

1998: Stonewall Riots Interview

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

2000: Repeal of Section 28 in Scotland

In 2000, Section 28 was repealed in Scotland.

2002: Celebrity Grand Marshal of 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, Nick Cuthell.

2003: "Fuck off, I'm gay" incident

In 2003, Ian McKellen recalled an incident from 1988 where he wrote "Fuck off, I'm gay" on an autograph for Michael Howard's children after Howard refused to change his position on Section 28.

2003: Repeal of Section 28 in England and Wales

In 2003, Section 28 was repealed in England and Wales. It never applied in Northern Ireland.

2005: Living in Limehouse

As of 2005, Ian McKellen had been living in Narrow Street, Limehouse, for more than 25 years, over a decade of which had been spent in a five-storey Victorian conversion.

2006: Patron of Oxford Pride

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

2006: Support for 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 and its founder, Sue Sanders.

2006: Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer

In 2006, Ian McKellen was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

2007: 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: Out 100 List

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

April 2010: Support for Age UK

In April 2010, Ian McKellen appeared in a series of TV advertisements to support Age UK, along with actors Brian Cox and Eleanor Bron, all giving their time free of charge.

2010: Support for Liverpool's Homotopia Festival

In 2010, Ian McKellen extended his support for Liverpool's Homotopia festival, contributing to an anti-homophobia campaign pack for schools and youth centres.

2010: Waiting for Godot at Isaac Theatre Royal

In 2010, Ian McKellen played at the Isaac Theatre Royal for Waiting for Godot.

February 2011: Christchurch earthquake

In February 2011, Christchurch experienced an earthquake, prompting Ian McKellen to umpire a charity cricket match in March 2011 to support the victims.

March 2011: Charity Cricket Match Umpire

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

May 2011: Criticism of Moscow's Mayor

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

2011: Earthquake Damage to Isaac Theatre Royal

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

August 2012: London Paralympics Opening Ceremony

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

2012: Cancer is contained

In 2012, Ian McKellen stated on his blog that his prostate cancer was contained and required no treatment.

2012: Honored by Only Make Believe

In 2012, Ian McKellen was honored by the New York City- and Washington, D.C.–based organisation Only Make Believe, which creates and performs interactive plays in children's hospitals and care facilities.

2012: Shakespeare, Tolkien and You! New Zealand Tour

In 2012, While filming The Hobbit in New Zealand, Ian McKellen announced a special New Zealand tour "Shakespeare, Tolkien and You!", with proceeds going to help save the Isaac Theatre Royal.

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November 2013: Make Believe on Broadway Gala

In November 2013, Ian McKellen hosted Only Make Believe's annual Make Believe on Broadway Gala and garnered publicity by stripping down to his Lord of the Rings underwear on stage.

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2013: Marriage Officiant for Patrick Stewart

In 2013, Ian McKellen registered as a marriage officiant to preside over the marriage of his friend and X-Men co-star Patrick Stewart to Sunny Ozell in Massachusetts.

June 2014: Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Cambridge University

On 18 June 2014, Ian McKellen was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Letters by Cambridge University.

2014: World Pride Power List

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

2015: Gifted cobble from Coronation Street

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

July 2017: 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: Ian McKellen on Stage: With Tolkien, Shakespeare, Others and YOU

In 2019, Ian McKellen performed in a one-man stage show titled Ian McKellen on Stage: With Tolkien, Shakespeare, Others and YOU to celebrate his 80th birthday, touring across the UK and Ireland before a West End run and a single performance on Broadway.

June 2020: Reunited Apart YouTube Series

On 1 June 2020, Ian McKellen joined Josh Gad's YouTube series Reunited Apart, reuniting with his Lord of the Rings co-stars to promote donations to non-profit charities.

November 2021: Knitting Stagewear for Kylie Minogue

Since November 2021, Ian McKellen and ABBA member Björn Ulvaeus have posted Instagram videos featuring them knitting Christmas jumpers. In 2023, they revealed they would be knitting stagewear for Kylie Minogue's concert residency at The Venetian Las Vegas.

2023: Knitting stagewear for Kylie Minogue's concert residency at The Venetian Las Vegas

In 2023, Ian McKellen and ABBA member Björn Ulvaeus revealed that they 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.