Sir Ian McKellen: A Titan of Stage, Screen, and Activism
Sir Ian McKellen, the revered 86-year-old actor, is celebrated globally for his iconic roles as Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings and Magneto in the X-Men series. However, his illustrious career spans far beyond these blockbuster franchises, encompassing profound Shakespearean performances and dedicated LGBTQ+ rights campaigning.
A Storied Film and Television Legacy
McKellen's filmography is remarkably diverse, beginning with A Touch of Love in the late 1960s. He gained critical acclaim for portraying John Profumo in Scandal (1989) and starring in and producing Richard III in the mid-1990s. The late 1990s saw a career-defining double with Gods and Monsters, which earned him an Oscar nomination, and Apt Pupil. These successes paved the way for his legendary franchise roles, totaling 11 appearances to date.
In between major projects, McKellen has delivered memorable performances in films like the detective drama Mr Holmes and the theatrical thriller The Critic. He even lent his voice to Zebedee in The Magic Roundabout. Notably, he is set to star in Steven Soderbergh's new film, The Christophers, opposite Michaela Coel, premiering in UK and Irish cinemas from 15 May.
Masterful Shakespearean Stage Work
McKellen's stage career is equally impressive, with numerous Shakespearean roles highlighting his talent. In the 1970s, he tackled Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and Macbeth. The 1980s brought Coriolanus and Othello, followed by Richard III and The Tempest in the 1990s. Demonstrating enduring vitality, he returned to the stage at age 82 in 2021 to play Hamlet again and starred as Sir John Falstaff in Player Kings in 2024, though he withdrew after a fall during a performance.
Activism and Personal Ventures
Beyond acting, McKellen is a co-founder of Stonewall, a leading LGBTQ+ rights organisation, reflecting his lifelong advocacy. He co-owns The Grapes pub near Canary Wharf in London, where Gandalf's staff is displayed above the bar. In a quirky personal note, he was ordained online by the Universal Life Church, allowing him to officiate his friend Patrick Stewart's wedding in 2013. A cricket enthusiast, he was knighted in 1991 for his services to drama.
For insights into his acting method, McKellen humorously explained in Ricky Gervais's Extras: "How do I act so well? What I do is I pretend to be the person I'm portraying in the film or play."
Readers are invited to submit questions for McKellen by 6pm on Monday 27 April for a reader interview series. The Christophers opens in Australia on 4 June.
