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 versatility across stage and screen. A British cultural icon knighted in 1991, McKellen's career spans Shakespearean dramas, modern theatre, and popular fantasy and science fiction roles. His impressive collection of awards includes a Tony Award, six Laurence Olivier Awards, an Actor Award, and a Golden Globe Award. He has also earned multiple nominations for prestigious awards such as the Academy Awards, BAFTAs, and Emmy Awards.

Sections (4)

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

May 1939: Born in Burnley, Lancashire

On May 25, 1939, Ian McKellen was born in Burnley, Lancashire, England, to parents Margery Lois and Denis Murray McKellen. He was their second child, having a sister, Jean, five years his senior.

May 1939: Ian McKellen Born

On May 25, 1939, Ian Murray McKellen was born in Burnley, Lancashire, England, to parents 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 Relocated to Bolton

In 1951, after living in Wigan, Ian McKellen's family relocated to Bolton following his father's 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.

1964: Relationship with Brian Taylor begins

In 1964, Ian McKellen began a relationship with Brian Taylor, a history teacher from Bolton.

1972: End of relationship with Brian Taylor

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

1978: Meeting Sean Mathias

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

1988: Coming out on BBC Radio

In 1988, Ian McKellen came out to the general public on the BBC Radio programme Third Ear due to concerns about Section 28 of the Local Government Act.

1988: Came Out as Gay

In 1988, Ian McKellen publicly came out as gay, marking a significant moment in his life and becoming a vocal advocate for LGBT rights.

1988: Lobbying against Section 28

In 1988, Ian McKellen visited Michael Howard to lobby against Section 28.

1988: End of relationship with Sean Mathias

In 1988, Ian McKellen's relationship with Sean Mathias ended, although they remained friends.

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

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 in "And the Band Played On", McKellen received the CableACE Award and a Primetime Emmy Award nomination. Also from 1993 to 1997 McKellen toured in a one-man show entitled, A Knights Out.

1994: Appearance at the Gay Games closing ceremony

In 1994, Ian McKellen briefly took the stage at the closing ceremony of the Gay Games, introducing himself as "Serena".

1998: Stonewall riots interview

In 1998, Ian McKellen gave an interview discussing the 29th anniversary of the Stonewall riots.

2002: 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 boyfriend, Nick Cuthell.

2003: Apparance on Have I Got News For You

In 2003, during an appearance on Have I Got News For You, Ian McKellen claimed that when he visited Michael Howard in 1988 to lobby against Section 28, Howard asked for an autograph for his children. McKellen agreed, but wrote, "Fuck off, I'm gay".

2005: Living in Narrow Street, Limehouse

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

2006: Patron of Oxford Pride

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

2006: Supporting LGBT History Month

In 2006, Ian McKellen spoke at the pre-launch of the 2007 LGBT History Month in the UK, supporting the organization and its founder.

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, which 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.

2010: Support for Homotopia festival

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

February 2011: Christchurch earthquake

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

March 2011: Umpiring charity cricket match

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: 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: Christchurch earthquake

In 2011, the Isaac Theatre Royal in Christchurch suffered extensive damage during the Christchurch earthquake. In 2012, while filming The Hobbit in New Zealand, Ian McKellen announced a special New Zealand tour "Shakespeare, Tolkien and You!" to help save the Isaac Theatre Royal.

August 2012: Portrayal of Prospero at the London Paralympics opening ceremony

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

2012: Cancer contained

In 2012, Ian McKellen stated that his prostate cancer was contained and did not require treatment.

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 and care facilities.

November 2013: Hosting Make Believe on Broadway Gala

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

2013: Marriage officiant for Patrick Stewart

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

June 2014: Honorary Doctorate of Letters from University of Cambridge

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

2014: World Pride Power list

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

2015: Cobble gifted from the set of Coronation Street

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

June 2020: Reunited Apart appearance

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

November 2021: 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 and other festive attire.

2023: Knitting stagewear for Kylie Minogue

In 2023, Björn Ulvaeus and Ian McKellen will be knitting stagewear for Kylie Minogue as part of her More Than Just a Residency concert residency at Voltaire at The Venetian Las Vegas.