Award-winning actor Sir Ian McKellen has enjoyed a colourful 60-year-career in the performing arts industry. The Burnley-born star first shot to fame in the 1960s and has since become an acclaimed Thespian and civil rights campaigner.
In his latest interview with Amol Rajan which will air on BBC Two on Thursday, March 3 from 9pm, Sir Ian will talk about his early childhood and growing up in Lancashire during the World War II, his acting career and about the decision to reveal his sexuality in the '80s.
But when did Sir Ian McKellen's career start and what is he best known for starring in? Including all the details on his knighthood, here's everything you need to know about the life and career of the famous actor...
Ian McKellen's 60-year career in the arts
Sir Ian McKellen has been acting on stage and screen for more than 60 years. His first acting role was at the age of 22, when he played a butler in the Agatha Christie play Black Coffee at Coventry's Belgrade Theatre in 1961.
In October 2021, he actually reprised the role in a new production of the play at the Theatre Royal in Windsor. On Facebook he posted a comparison picture and shared: "In my first ever job, at the Belgrade Theatre Coventry, the company did a different play every fortnight.
"60 years on I’m rather repeating myself, this time in a much superior, funnier play. I hope, with a shaven head and false whiskers, I’m a more convincingly old fellow."
He also made TV history in 1970 when the first gay kiss was broadcast on BBC Television. BBC Two aired a showing of Edward II by Christopher Marlowe on Thursday, August 6 1970 which saw Edward (played by Ian McKellen) and Gaveston (played by James Laurenson) kiss.
But he is probably best-known for roles in some widely popular franchises; playing Gandalf in the Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbit trilogies and Magneto in the X-Men universe, which have seen him develop a huge loyal fan base.
In 2005, he joined the cast of ITV's Coronation Street and moved in with Emily Bishop and Norris Cole as he played an author named Mel Hutchwright.
In 2017, McKellen had his own documentary McKellen: Playing the Part which looked at his life and work from his early childhood and starred Milo Parker and Luke Evans with interviews from the acclaimed actor himself.
Ian returned to the Theatre Royal Windsor stage in 2021 as Shakespeare’s Hamlet, 50 years after playing the Danish prince in 1971.
In February 2022, Ian was recognised at the WhatsOnStage Awards for his fundraising efforts on behalf of theatres and arts organisations and presented with the Services to Theatre award in celebration of his long career.
Personal life and becoming a gay rights activist
Ian was born in Burnley, Lancashire in 1939. He lost his mother when he was just 12-years-old and his father sadly died 10 years later when Ian was 22.
He came out in his 40s in 1988 after a 10-year relationship with theatre and film director Sean Mathias. It is not publicly known if the actor currently has a partner.
Since opening up about his sexuality in the '80s, Ian has taken part in numerous LGBTQ+ rights marches across the globe and joined protests against Section 28. In 1989, he co-founded the LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall.
On January 27 2018, Sir Ian marked 30 years since he went on BBC radio to talk about his sexuality. He tweeted: "I’ve never met a gay person who regretted coming out – including myself. Life at last begins to make sense, when you are open and honest. Today is the 30th anniversary of the BBC radio discussion when I publically said I was gay. So I’m celebrating!"
During an appearance on ITV's The Jonathon Ross Show in May 2021, he spoke of how he had to hide who he was for fear of prosecution, The Mirror reported, but he is now "making up for lost time".
The actor said on the ITV chat show: "My relationships with my family, with friends, with strangers, and my work got better as I wasn't hiding anymore.
"Up to that point, my acting had really been about disguise and then when I could feel I was myself, it came about telling the truth, which was much more interesting."
When did Sir Ian McKellen receive his knighthood?
Sir Ian McKellen was knighted in the 1991 New Years Honours list for his contributions to the performing arts. He also received a Companion of Honour medal for services to Drama and Equality from Queen Elizabeth II in 2008.
But it was reported in 2015, that the actor had considered not accepting the honours, in a report from The Mirror, he said: “I don’t think we should have titles. Actors are more likely to get them than fire chiefs or people who have spent their lives doing charity work. It’s a bit unfair, isn’t it?”
He added: “I was in two minds about it.” When asked why he eventually agreed he said friends had encouraged him to take it.
Warning to fans about faked signatures
The 82-year-old actor recently warned his fans warns fans of 'fraudulent impersonator' who faked his signature. In February, it was reported that around 400 fans are understood to have been scammed at a fake autograph event where they paid between £75 and £100.
Posting on Twitter, he said: "I have been made aware that a man impersonating me and two women posing as my representatives have recently approached a promoter in Kent, with the offer of a 'private signing' by Ian McKellen.
"I am very sorry for anyone who has sent in photos and items to be signed by this fraudulent impersonator. I understand that the promoter has offered to make refunds as soon as possible.
"To be clear, I have never attended paid signings. I do sign for charity and for individuals who submit items directly to me."
Amol Rajan Interviews Ian McKellen on BBC Two on Thursday, March 3 from 9pm. Ian McKellan will also be on The Graham Norton compilation episode on BBC One on Friday, March 4 from 10.35pm.
You'll be able to catch up on both programmes on the BBC iPlayer.
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