Contents
Ian McKellen
Playing Gandalf and Magneto alongside a major Shakespearean stage career.
Richard III · Gods and Monsters
- Born
- 25 May 1939
- Birthplace
- Burnley, England
More people
Ian McKellen
Ian McKellen is an English actor whose work spans classical theatre, independent drama and blockbuster films. His stage reputation preceded the screen roles that introduced him to a wider audience.
Early life
Northern childhood
Grew up in Wigan and Bolton, where school theatre encouraged him.
Cambridge stage
Studied English at Cambridge and acted extensively.
Career
- 1961
Professional debut
Started at Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre.
- 1960s–1980s
Classical leading roles
Worked with the National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company.
- 1990s onwards
International film work
Combined theatre with increasingly prominent screen roles.
Selected work
Richard III
Co-wrote and starred in a film relocating Shakespeare to a fascist-style England.
Gods and Monsters
Played filmmaker James Whale.
The Lord of the Rings
Played the wizard Gandalf.
Beyond work
LGBT rights
Came out publicly in 1988 and co-founded Stonewall in 1989.
Theatre support
His 2019 solo tour raised funds for theatres and charities.
Sources & photo credit
Biography ↗Life and work ↗Featured work ↗Photo: Gage Skidmore. CC BY-SA 2.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
