- Is unfazed by the last chapter of LOTR's phenomenon because he's convinced that he had nothing to do with it, saying he has no personal financial interest in the outcome. (December 29, 2003)
- In 1967, McKellen acted in his first breakout lead role in the Russian play The Promise.
- In 1979, McKellen created the role of Max, a gay man who pretends to be Jewish when he is shipped to a concentration camp, in BENT.
- In 1980, McKellen created the role of Salieri, the jealous rival of Mozart, in AMEDUS.
- Spurred by legislation that prohibited local authorities from promoting homosexual causes, McKellen disclosed on a 1988 BBC Radio broadcast that he was gay.
- In the 1998's GODS AND MONSTERS, McKellen was critically acclaimed for his depiction of film director James Whale.
- In 2000, McKellen played evil Magneto in X-MEN; the same year, McKellen signed on to play the wizard Gandalf in Peter Jackson's LORD OF THE RING trilogy.
- Said Shakespeare acting helped him to play the wizard Gandalf in THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy. (December 9, 2003)
- Is eager to reunite with director Peter Jackson on the set of upcoming remake KING KONG, after the film-maker hinted there was a role for him. (December 1, 2003)
- McKellen will receive the Variety U.K. Personality award for his contribution to the British movie industry at this year's British Independent Film Awards on Nov. 4. (September 24, 2003)
- McKellen took to the London stage on Tuesday to weave his theater magic as the star of August Strindberg's Dance of Death. (March 5, 2003)
- McKellen has split from his toyboy lover just two months after announcing he had 'wed' the New Zealander after an intimate ring-exchange ceremony -- Friends of the couple claim Greg Nickels - who he met on the set of LORD OF THE RINGS IN NEW ZEALAND - upset McKellen after he was spotted flirting with women behind McKellen's back. (March 4, 2003)
- McKellen will replace the late Richard Harris as Professor Albus Dumbledore in the third Harry Potter movie. (December 28, 2002)
- McKellen has confessed he was offered the coveted role of Professor Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films before Richard Harris died -- the acclaimed thespian has not confirmed or denied whether he has been approached again or if he wants to take over the part. (November 15, 2002)
- McKellen has been tipped to replace the late Richard Harris in the third Harry Potter movie. (November 13, 2002)
- Was one of the celebrity grand marshals at a San Francisco gay pride parade.
- He was knighted in 1990.
- Played the vampire in the video for Heart by the Pet Shop Boys.
- Originated the role of Antonio Saleri in the Broadway production of AMADEUS.
- Had a tattoo of the Elvish character for 9 along with all the other members of the fellowship in LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING (2001).
- Is a vegetarian.
- Ian McKellen who appears as Uncle Freddie in BENT (1997), starred in the role of Max in the original London West End theatre production in 1979.
- Based Gandalf's accent on that of Tolkien himself.
- His character, Magneto in X-MEN (2000), is a Jew who survived the Holocaust. In APT PUPIL (1998), also directed by Bryan Singer McKellen is a Nazi who committed Holocaust atrocities.
- The hobbits needed to appear about three to four feet tall - tiny compared with the seven-foot Gandalf. This was often accomplished using forced perspective, placing him (Gandalf) consistently closer to the camera than Elijah Wood in order to trick the eye into thinking McKellen is towering (LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING).
- Tyrell ('Adrian Dunbar) was not scripted to hand the apple to Richard (McKellen) in the stable, but improvised it on the spot. McKellen took the hint and pelted the apple (supposedly at the pig) (RICHARD III).
- Wrote the screenplay of RICHARD III (1995) while touring the play. Originally he thought it would be a television production, but he soon realized that the large production he envisaged would require the budget of a feature film. Still on tour, he began to consider screen actors he met for roles in the film, including Patrick Stewart, Danny DeVito, and Meryl Streep.
- Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role at BAFTA Awards for THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING (2004)
- Nominated for Outstanding Performance by the Cast of a Theatrical Motion Picture at Screen Actors Guild Awards for THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS (2003)
- Nominated for Best Fight at MTV Movie Awards for THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING (2002) - shared with Christopher Lee
- Nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at Academy Awards for THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING (2002)
- Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role at BAFTA Awards for THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING (2002)
- Nominated for Outstanding Performance by the Cast of a Theatrical Motion Picture at Screen Actors Guild Awards for THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING (2002)
- Nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role at Academy Awards for GODS AND MONSTERS (1999)
- Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama at Golden Globe Awards for GODS AND MONSTERS (1999)
- Nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role at Screen Actors Guild Awards for GODS AND MONSTERS (1999)
- Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role at BAFTA Awards for RICHARD III (1997)
- Nominated for Best Screenplay - Adapted at BAFTA Awards for RICHARD III (1997)
- Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama at Golden Globe Awards for RICHARD III (1996)
- Nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special at Emmy Awards for RASPUTIN (1996)
- Nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Special at Emmy Awards for AND THE BAND PLAYED ON (1994)
Quotes- On his first theatre experience, "Peter Pan": "I wasn't over-impressed. For one thing it wasn't a real crocodile and I could see the wires".
- "I think it's one thing to declare your sexuality, if you care about what that is. It's another thing to start talking in public about what you do in private and who you do it with. It's not that they [my significant others] don't want to be identified as gay, but that they don't want to be identified as ... with me."
- "Many unthinking people just don't like the idea of gays joining in their games, nor in the military and, it would seem, in the movies."
- "I've had enough of being a gay icon! I've had enough of all this hard work, because, since I came out, I keep getting all these parts, and my career's taken off. I want a quiet life. I'm going back into the closet. But I can't get back into the closet, because it's absolutely jam-packed full of other actors."
Awards- Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards: Best Acting Ensemble, THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING (2004)
- Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING (2004)
- British Independent Film Awards: Entertainment Personality Award (2003)
- National Board of Review: Best Ensemble Performance, THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING (2003)
- Cinequest San Jose Film Festival: Maverick Tribute Award (2002)
- Saturn Award: Best Supporting Actor, THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING (2002)
- Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role, THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING (2002)
- British Independent Film Awards: Best Actor, GODS AND MONSTERS (1999)
- Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards: Best Actor, GODS AND MONSTERS (1999)
- Chicago Film Critics Association Awards: Best Actor, GODS AND MONSTERS (1999)
- Florida Film Critics Circle Awards: Best Actor, GODS AND MONSTERS (1999)
- Independent Spirit Awards: Best Male Lead, GODS AND MONSTERS (1999)
- Online Film Critics Society Awards: Best Actor, GODS AND MONSTERS (1999)
- Saturn Award: Best Supporting Actor, APT PUPIL (1999)
- L.A. Outfest: Outfest Achievement Award (1998)
- Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards: Best Actor, GODS AND MONSTERS (1998)
- National Board of Review: Best Actor, GODS AND MONSTERS (1998)
- San Diego Film Critics Society Awards: Best Actor, GODS AND MONSTERS (1998)
- San Sebastián International Film Festival: Best Actor, GODS AND MONSTERS (1998)
- Toronto Film Critics Association Awards: Best Performance - Male, GODS AND MONSTERS (1998)
- Evening Standard British Film Awards: Best Film, RICHARD III (1997)
- Golden Globe Awards: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV, RASPUTIN (1997)
- European Film Awards: Best Actor, RICHARD III (1996)
- CableACE Awards: Supporting Actor in a Movie or Miniseries, AND THE BAND PLAYED ON (1995)
- GLAAD Media Awards: Stephen F. Kolzak Award (1993)
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