McKellen, Ian (1939-…), is a British stage and motion-picture actor. He became known for his powerful performances in Shakespearean roles and for his solo recitals on varied themes. McKellen is known for his portrayal of the mutant villain Magneto in a number of the hugely popular “X-Men” series of action films, begun in 2000. The series is based on X-Men superhero comic books. McKellen is also known for his portrayal of Gandalf the wizard in the “Lord of the Rings” series of films, which were released in 2001, 2002, and 2003, and in the “Hobbit” “prequel” trilogy of films, which were released in 2012, 2013, and 2014. The films were based on a series of novels by the British author J. R. R. Tolkien.
Ian Murray McKellen was born on May 25, 1939, in Burnley, Lancashire. He worked in repertory theater from 1961 to 1964 before joining what is now the Royal National Theatre, London, in 1965. He toured as an actor and directed from 1968 until 1972, when he founded the Actors’ Company with fellow actor Edward Petherbridge in 1972. The company performed through 1974.
McKellen became famous for his work with the Royal Shakespeare Company from 1974 to 1978. He won the 1981 Tony Award as best actor for his performance in Peter Shaffer’s drama Amadeus on Broadway. Beginning in 1976, McKellen also won international praise for his one-man show based on Shakespeare’s writings. One of McKellen’s best-known television roles was Iago in the British Broadcasting Corporation production of Shakespeare’s Othello (1989). McKellen also starred in the television movie The Dresser (2015).
McKellen made his motion-picture debut in 1969 in Thank You All Very Much. His other notable films include Richard III (1995), Gods and Monsters (1998), and Beauty and the Beast (2017).
In the mid-1980’s, McKellen became a prominent supporter of the gay rights movement (now generally called the LGBTQ [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer] rights movement). He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991.
