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Sir. Ian McKellen.
Birth Name: Ian Murray McKellen.
Date of Birth (location): 25. May 1939, Burnley, Lancashire, England, UK
Height: 5' 11"
Family:
Father: Denis Murray, civil engineer.
Mother: Margery Lois.
Sister: Jean; older.
Biography:
Born May 25th, 1939, in the small 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 would ride 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 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: Olivier, Hiller, Gielgud, Richardson and 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. I n 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. 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 recieved "Richard III", 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" "Apt Pupil" and "Gods and Monsters", 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.
Fun Facts:
Ian McKellen is one of the most acclamed actors of his generation.
He was knighted in 1990; he is one of the very few openly gay knights.
He 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."
Is openly gay.
Education:
Nursery school attached to the Dicconson Street Wesleyan Primary School.
Wigan Grammar School for Boys.
Bolton School (Boys' Division).
St. Catharine's College, Cambridge (BA 1961).
Quote:
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".
Actor-Filmography:
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)...Gandalf the White.
Emile (2003)...Emile.
X-Men 2 (2003)...Erik Magnus Lehnsherr/Magneto.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)...Gandalf the Grey/White.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)...Gandalf the Grey.
Now You See Him: The Invisible Man Revealed! (2000)...Himself.
X-Men (2000)...Erik Magnus Lehnsherr/Magneto.
Cirque du Soleil: Journey of Man (2000) (voice)...Narrator.
David Copperfield (1999)...Mr. Creakle.
Apt Pupil (1998).....Kurt Dussander.
Gods and Monsters (1998).....James Whale.
"Great Composers" (1999) TVseries (voice)...Pyotyr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
Swept from the Sea (1997)...Dr. James Kennedy.
A Bit of Scarlet (1997)...Narrator.
Bent (1997)...Uncle Freddie.
Rasputin (1996)...Tsar Nicholas II.
Restoration (1995)...Will Gates.
Richard III (1995)...Richard, Duke of Glouchester/Richard III.
Jack and Sarah (1995)...William.
Thin Ice (1995)...Himself.
Cold Comfort Farm (1995)...Amos Starkadder.
To Die for (1994)...Quilt Documentary Narrator.
The Shadow (1994)...Dr. Reinhardt Lane.
I'll Do Anything (1994)...John Earl McAlpine.
Six Degrees of Separation (1993)...Geoffrey.
And the Band Played On (1993)...Bill Kraus.
The Ballad of Little Jo (1993)...Percy Corcoran.
Last Action Hero (1993)...Death.
"Tales of the City" (1993) (mini) TVseries...Archibald Anson Gidde.
Countdown to War (1989)...Adolf Hitler.
Scandal (1989)...John Profumo.
Windmills of the Gods (1988)...Chairman.
Walter and June (1986)...Walter.
Zina (1985)...Kronfeld.
Plenty (1985)...Sir Andrew Charleson.
"Playing Shakespeare" (1984) (mini) TVseries...Himself.
The Keep (1983)...Dr. Theodore Cuza.
The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982)...Chauvelin.
Dying Day (1982)...Antony Skipling.
Priest of Love (1981)...D. H. Lawrence.
"Amund Ha'Esh" (1979) (mini) TVseries...Narrator.
Macbeth (1979)...Macbeth.
The Recruiting Officer (1973)...Captain Plume.
Hamlet (1972)...Hamlet.
Hedda Gabler (1972)...George Tesman.
Edward II (1970)...King Edward.
The Tragedy of King Richard II (1970)...Richard II.
Ross (1970)...T.E. Lawrence.
Keats (1970)...John Keats.
The Promise (1969)...Leonidik.
Alfred the Great (1969)...Roger.
A Touch of Love (1969)...George Matthews.
Hay Fever (1968)...Simon Bliss.
"David Copperfield" (1966) TVseries...David Copperfield (episodes 5-13).
Sunday Out of Season (1965)...Victor Leech.
The Trial and Torture of Sir John Rampayne (1965).
