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Ian McKellenAdd to My CelebsAge 73 Birthday May. 25th, 1939 Born in Burnley, Lancashire, England, UK Height 5' 11" |
Ian McKellen's Main TV Roles
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Main Movie Roles2007 - Stardust2007 - The Golden Compass 2006 - The Da Vinci Code 2006 - X-Men: The Last Stand 2006 - Doogal 2006 - Flushed Away 2005 - Neverwas 2005 - The Magic Roundabout 2005 - Asylum 2003 - The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King 2003 - X2: X-Men United 2002 - The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers 2001 - The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring 2000 - X-Men 2000 - Cirque du Soleil: Journey of Man 1998 - Apt Pupil 1998 - Gods and Monsters 1997 - Bent 1995 - Richard III 1995 - Restoration 1995 - Jack & Sarah 1994 - The Shadow 1993 - Six Degrees of Separation 1993 - Last Action Hero 1989 - Scandal 1985 - Plenty 1983 - The Keep |
NOTE: Complete List of Works can be found at IMDB
On May 25th, 1939, in the town of Burnley in northern England, Ian Murray McKellen was born. His parents, Denis and Margery, soon moved with Ian and his sister Jean to the coal mining town of Wigan. It was in this small town that young Ian rode out World War II. He soon developed a fascination with acting and the theater, which was encouraged by his parents. They would all bring him to plays, those by William Shakespeare (I), in particular. The amateur school productions fostered Ian's growing passion for theatre. When Ian was of age to begin attending school, he made sure to get roles in all of the productions. At Bolton School in particular, he developed his skills early on. Indeed, his first role in a Shakespearian play was at Bolton, as Malvolio in "Twelfth Night". Ian soon began attending Stratford-upon-Avon theater festivals, where he saw the greats perform: Laurence Olivier, Wendy Hiller, John Gielgud, Ralph Richardson (I) and Paul Robeson. He continued his education in English Drama, but soon it fell by the wayside as he concentrated more and more on performing. He eventually obtained his Bachelor of Arts in 1961, and began his career in earnest. McKellen began working in theatre over the next few years. Very few people knew of Ian's homosexuality; he saw no reason to go public, nor had he told his family. They did not seem interested in the subject and so he saw no reason to bring it up. In 1988, Ian publicly came out of the closet on the BBC Radio 4 program, while discussing Margaret Thatcher's "section 28" legislation which would make the "public promotion of homosexuality" a crime. It was reason enough for McKellen to take a stand, and he has been active in the Gay Rights movement ever since.
Ian currently resides in Limehouse, where he lives with his current lover of 8 years, Sean Mathias. The two worked together on the film Bent (1997). To this day, McKellen works mostly in theater, and was knighted by 'Queen Elizabeth' in 1990 for his efforts in the arts. However, he has managed to make several quite successful forays into film. He has appeared in several productions of Shakespeare's works including his well received Richard III (1995), and in a variety of other movies. However, it has only been recently that his star has finally begun to shine in the eyes of North American audiences. Roles in various films, Cold Comfort Farm (1995) (TV), Apt Pupil (1998) and Gods and Monsters (1998), riveted audiences. The latter, in particular, created a sensation in Hollywood, and McKellen's role garnered him several of awards and nominations,including a Golden Globe and an Oscar nod. McKellen continues to work extensively on stage... solidifying his role as Laurence Olivier's worthy successor,having recently scored hits in the London productions of "Peter Pan" and Noel Coward's "Present Laughter".
TRIVIA:
- He used the phrase "old friend" in both the X-Men and The Lord of the Rings film series. In both cases (to 'Christopher Lee (I)' (qv) as Saruman in the Lord of the Rings and 'Patrick Stewart (I)' (qv) as Xavier in X-Men) it is said to an ally who has become a nemesis and "old friend" is said mockingly.
- While being a guest on 'Jay Leno' (qv) (December 26, 2003), he said that he had not seen _X2 (2003)_ (qv) when it opened in theaters, he only saw it when the DVD hit the stores. He then called up 'Bryan Singer' (qv) and asked, "Is there going to be X-Men 3?" Singer replied, "Yes". In his excitement he got Singer six theater tickets to go see _The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)_ (qv). As it turned out, _X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)_ (qv) would not be directed by Singer.
- Won Broadway's 1981 Tony Award as Best Actor (Play) for originating the role of 'Antonio Salieri' (qv) in "Amadeus." He was nominated in the same category in 1984 for "Ian McKellen Acting Shakespeare."
- Was set to play Antonio in 'Michael Radford' (qv)'s adaptation of 'William Shakespeare (I)' (qv)'s _The Merchant of Venice (2004)_ (qv), but had to drop at the last minute due to scheduling conflicts.
- Studied at St. Catharine's College, University of Cambridge, when he was 18, with Sir 'Derek Jacobi' (qv), and with whom he had been "desperately in love'", as he confessed on _"Inside the Actors Studio" (1994)_ (qv). In an article in "The Advocate", issue dated December 11, 2001, he further explained that what he had felt for Jacobi in their youth was "a passion that was undeclared and unrequited.".
- He was awarded the 'Laurence Olivier' (qv) Theatre Award in 1985 (1984 season) for Best Actor in a Revival for "Wild Honey".
- Only performer to receive an acting Academy Award nomination for 'Peter Jackson (I)' (qv)'s "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
- Was offered the part of Mission Commander Swanbeck in _Mission: Impossible II (2000)_ (qv). He was not able to accept the role, due to a prior theatre engagement in London. The part eventually went to 'Anthony Hopkins' (qv).
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