What's After the Movie
Ian McKellen
Sir Ian Murray McKellen CH CBE (born 25 May 1939) is an English actor. With a career spanning six decades, he is known for his diverse roles in genres ranging from Shakespearean and modern theatre to popular fantasy and science fiction. McKellen, a British cultural icon, was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 for his significant contributions to drama. He has received numerous accolades, including a Tony Award, six Olivier Awards, and a Golden Globe Award, with nominations for two Academy Awards, five BAFTA Awards, and five Emmy Awards.
McKellen made his stage debut in 1961 and his first West End appearance in 1965. It was only in 1969 that he started receiving lead parts in Shakespeare's Richard II and Marlowe's Edward II. His roles in the 1970s established him as a stalwart of the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre of Great Britain. His contributions as a performer range from modern drama and Greek tragedy to contemporary sitcoms, cinema, and fantasy roles. McKellen's rise to global popularity can be attributed to his memorable roles in movies such as Richard III (1995), Gods and Monsters (1998), X-Men films, and Lord of the Rings (2001–2003) and Hobbit trilogies. He is an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ rights, even coming out as gay in 1988. He also co-founded Stonewall, an LGBT rights lobby group in the UK.
Biography, Career & Filmography
Learn more about Ian McKellen, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Ian McKellen rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: Ian Murray McKellen
Born: Burnley, Lancashire, England
Citizenship: United Kingdom
Birthday: May 25, 1939
Occupations: Actor
Years Active: 1958-present
Spouses: Brian Taylor (1964–1972), Sean Mathias (1978–1988)
External Links and Streaming Options
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Awards and Nominations Received by Ian McKellen
Explore the awards, honors, and nominations Ian McKellen has earned across their acting career. From prestigious wins to critical acclaim, see how their talent has been recognized by the film industry and major award bodies.
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the RingMovies Featuring Ian McKellen
Gods and Monsters
Flushed Away
Animal Crackers
Six Degrees of Separation
Restoration
Mr. Holmes
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
X2: X-Men United
X-Men
Cats
X-Men: The Last Stand
X-Men: Days of Future Past
Apt Pupil
The Good Liar
The Keep
All Is True
Cirque du Soleil: Journey of Man
On Broadway
Richard III
The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin
Asylum
The Critic
London 2012: Paralympics Opening Ceremony
The Egg Trick
A Lost and Found Box of Human Sensation
Lady Grey London
Doctor Who: The Snowmen
Muse of Fire
The Wolverine: Path of a Ronin
-Doctors Reboot-DCmVwNfcCyC7hQ.jpg)
The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot
All the World’s a Screen: Shakespeare on Film
National Theatre Live: No Man’s Land
Animal Crackers
McKellen: Playing the Part
National Theatre Live: King Lear
Judi Dench: All the World’s Her Stage
Mutant vs. Machine: The Making of X-Men: Days of Future Past
On Broadway
A Passage to Middle-Earth: Making of ‘Lord of the Rings’
Edmund the Magnificent
Beyond the Movie: The Fellowship of the Ring
Émile
Evolution X - The Making of X-Men
The Making of The Two Towers
Beyond the Movie: The Return of the King
The Making of the Return of the King
Now You See Him: ‘The Invisible Man’ Revealed!
X2
Frodo Is Great… Who Is That?!!
The Magic Roundabout
Ringers: Lord of the Fans
The Hobart Shakespeareans
Shakespeare Live! From the RSC
X-Men: The Mutant Watch
The Second Uncanny Issue of X-Men - Making X2
The Quest Fulfilled: A Director’s Vision
Neverwas
For the Love of God
Othello
Film Collectibles: Capturing Movie Memories
A Filmmaker’s Journey: Making ‘The Return of the King’
Ian McKellen: Acting Shakespeare
Eighteen
Priest of Love
Walter
Walter and June
Playing Shakespeare
Plenty
Windmills of the Gods
Scandal
Countdown to War
The Scarlet Pimpernel
Zina
Infinitum: Subject Unknown
Ian McKellen on Stage: With Tolkien, Shakespeare, Others and YOU
Hating Peter Tatchell
Hamlet Within
The One Note Man
Hamlet
The Scarlet Pimpernel
Zina
Career Timeline
Track the complete movie timeline of Ian McKellen, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
2020
Animal Crackers
Horatio P. Huntington
Ian McKellen on Stage: With Tolkien, Shakespeare, Others and YOU
2017
The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin
Self - Actor
Animal Crackers
Horatio P. Huntington (voice)
McKellen: Playing the Part
Himself
Edmund the Magnificent
Self - Narrator (voice)
2016
All the World’s a Screen: Shakespeare on Film
Prospero's Speech Reader (voice)
National Theatre Live: No Man’s Land
Spooner
Judi Dench: All the World’s Her Stage
Self
Shakespeare Live! From the RSC
Self - Performer
2013
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
The Egg Trick
Magician
Muse of Fire
Self
The Wolverine: Path of a Ronin
Self
The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot
Self
2012
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
London 2012: Paralympics Opening Ceremony
Self
Doctor Who: The Snowmen
The Great Intelligence (voice)
2005
Asylum
Ringers: Lord of the Fans
Self
The Hobart Shakespeareans
Himself
Neverwas
Gabriel Finch
Eighteen
Jason Anders (voice)
2004
The Making of the Return of the King
Self
Frodo Is Great… Who Is That?!!
Self
The Magic Roundabout
Zebedee (voice)
A Filmmaker’s Journey: Making ‘The Return of the King’
Self
2003
X2: X-Men United
Émile
Emile
Evolution X - The Making of X-Men
The Making of The Two Towers
Beyond the Movie: The Return of the King
Self
X2
Eric Lehnsherr / Magneto
The Second Uncanny Issue of X-Men - Making X2
The Quest Fulfilled: A Director’s Vision
Self
Film Collectibles: Capturing Movie Memories
Self
2001
A Passage to Middle-Earth: Making of ‘Lord of the Rings’
Self
Beyond the Movie: The Fellowship of the Ring
Self
2000
X-Men
Cirque du Soleil: Journey of Man
Now You See Him: ‘The Invisible Man’ Revealed!
Self
X-Men: The Mutant Watch
Self - 'Magneto'
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