Ian McKellen

Acting · Born 1939-05-25 in Burnley, Lancashire, England, UK

Biography

Sir Ian Murray McKellen (born 25 May 1939) is an English actor. He has played roles on the screen and stage in genres ranging from Shakespearean dramas and modern theatre to popular fantasy and science fiction. He is regarded as a British cultural icon and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991. He has received numerous accolades, including a Tony Award, six Olivier Awards, and a Golden Globe Award, as well as nominations for two Academy Awards, five BAFTA Awards and five Emmy Awards. McKellen made his stage debut in 1961 at the Belgrade Theatre as a member of its repertory company, and in 1965 made his first West End appearance. In 1969, he was invited to join the Prospect Theatre Company to play the lead parts in Shakespeare's Richard II and Marlowe's Edward II. In the 1970s,…

Filmography

• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring as Gandalf
• The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers as Gandalf
• The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King as Gandalf
• Gods and Monsters as James Whale
• Stardust as Narrator (voice)
• X-Men as Magneto
• X2 as Eric Lehnsherr / Magneto
• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey as Gandalf the Grey
• The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug as Gandalf the Grey
• The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies as Gandalf the Grey

TV

• The Simpsons as Ian McKellen (voice)
• Extras as Ian McKellen
• ted as Narrator (voice)
• Inside the Actors Studio as Self
• Jimmy Kimmel Live! as Self
• The One Show as Self - Guest
• The View as Self - Guest
• Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway as Self
• The Paul O'Grady Show
• Armchair Thriller as Anthony Skipling