Ian McKellen

Background

Ian McKellen, whose full name is Sir Ian Murray McKellen and goes by the nickname Serena, was born on 25th May 1939 in Burnley, Lancashire, England. His ambitions to become an actor started while he was still at the Bolton School. At the time, he used to act at the Bolton Little Theatre. Later on, at the age of 18, he won a scholarship to St. Catherine College in Cambridge where he studied English literature. During these early years, he appeared in a number of theatrical productions. However, his first professional appearance was at the Belgrade Theatre in 1961 where he played Roper in A Man for All Seasons. Come the 70's and 80's, he played leading roles in various Shakespearean performances.

Career Accomplishments

McKellen's work (both within the theatre and the film industry) has seen him get awarded a total of eighteen internationally recognized awards. These include six Laurence Oliver Awards, four Drama Desk Awards, two Critics Choice Awards, two Saturn Awards and, a Screen Actors Guild, BIF, Tony and Golden Globe Awards. It's through his work in the film and theater industry that his name made it to the World Pride Power top ten list.

Most Notable Works

McKellen gained worldwide recognition in the '90s after having starred in a number of blockbuster films in Hollywood. These include his highly acclaimed role in Six Degrees of Separation, And the Band Played On, Richard III, Apt Pupil and Gods and Monsters. Of all his works and performances, the most outstanding ones include his roles in The Hobbit, X-Men, Magneto and The Lord of the Rings.

Where Is He Now?

McKellen currently stars as Freddie Thornhill in the ITV sitcom Vicious. Other than acting, he is also an ordained minister, a Doctor of Letters (after being awarded an honorary degree by the Cambridge University), a Freeman of the city of London, an LGBT activist, a philanthropist, the President and patron of the Little Theater Guild of Great Britain and, the patron of the Bolton Little Theater. McKellen is also a co-founder of the Stonewall which is an LGBT lobby group that's based in the United Kingdom. In addition, he is a patron of Pride London, The Lesbian & Gay Foundation, LGBT History Month, FFLAG, GAY-GLOS and The Albert Kennedy Trust - an organization that supports young, troubled and homeless LGBT individuals.