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Ian McKellen

Ian McKellen through the years: From Gandalf in 'Lord of the Rings' to 'X-Men,' 'Cats'

May 25, 2021Updated Aug. 20, 2024, 11:04 p.m. ET
With a 60-year acting career spanning film franchises such as "The Lord of the Rings" and "X-Men" and numerous stage credits that have culminated in a Tony Award, Ian McKellen (seen here in 2017) shows no signs of stopping. Take a look back at the British thespian's illustrious career, which saw him in iconic roles such as Gandalf, Magneto and King Richard III.
With a 60-year acting career spanning film franchises such as "The Lord of the Rings" and "X-Men" and numerous stage credits that have culminated in a Tony Award, Ian McKellen (seen here in 2017) shows no signs of stopping.

Take a look back at the British thespian's illustrious career, which saw him in iconic roles such as Gandalf, Magneto and King Richard III.
Vittorio Zunino Celotto, Getty Images
Sir Ian McKellen poses in the National Television Awards 2023 winners' room at the O2 Arena on Sept. 5, 2023, in London.
Sir Ian McKellen poses in the National Television Awards 2023 winners' room at the O2 Arena on Sept. 5, 2023, in London.
Jeff Spicer, Getty Images
Ian McKellen attends British fashion label S.S.Daley's fall/winter 2023 collection catwalk show on the third day of the London Fashion Week on Feb. 19, 2023.
Ian McKellen attends British fashion label S.S.Daley's fall/winter 2023 collection catwalk show on the third day of the London Fashion Week on Feb. 19, 2023.
Niklas Halle'n, AFP Via Getty Images
Sir Ian McKellen is photographed during the "Hamlet" photo call at Theatre Royal, Windsor on July 15, 2021, in Windsor, England.
Sir Ian McKellen is photographed during the "Hamlet" photo call at Theatre Royal, Windsor on July 15, 2021, in Windsor, England.
Gareth Cattermole, Getty Images
Longtime friends Sir Patrick Stewart and Sir Ian McKellen kiss at the premiere of "Star Trek: Picard" in London on Jan. 15, 2020.
Longtime friends Sir Patrick Stewart and Sir Ian McKellen kiss at the premiere of "Star Trek: Picard" in London on Jan. 15, 2020.
Simon Dawson, REUTERS
McKellen, who came out as gay in the '80s, has championed multiple causes that support LGBTQ+ people. Here he's seen walking through Piccadilly Circus during Pride in London 2019 on July 6 of that year.
McKellen, who came out as gay in the '80s, has championed multiple causes that support LGBTQ+ people. Here he's seen walking through Piccadilly Circus during Pride in London 2019 on July 6 of that year.
Chris J Ratcliffe, Getty Images For Pride In London
Sir Ian McKellen attends "The Good Liar" photo call at The Corinthia Hotel on Oct. 30, 2019, in London.
Sir Ian McKellen attends "The Good Liar" photo call at The Corinthia Hotel on Oct. 30, 2019, in London.
Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images For Warner Bros
Ian McKellen and Helen Mirren attend "The Good Liar" New York premiere on Nov. 6, 2019, in New York City.
Ian McKellen and Helen Mirren attend "The Good Liar" New York premiere on Nov. 6, 2019, in New York City.
Steven Ferdman, FilmMagic
Sir Ian McKellen attends the 65th Evening Standard Theatre Awards at London Coliseum on Nov. 24, 2019, in London.
Sir Ian McKellen attends the 65th Evening Standard Theatre Awards at London Coliseum on Nov. 24, 2019, in London.
Stuart C. Wilson, Getty Images
From left, Laurie Davidson, Rebel Wilson, Jennifer Hudson, Sir Ian McKellen, Francesca Hayward, Jason Derulo and Robbie Fairchild attend the "Cats" photo call at The Corinthia Hotel on Dec. 13, 2019, in London.
From left, Laurie Davidson, Rebel Wilson, Jennifer Hudson, Sir Ian McKellen, Francesca Hayward, Jason Derulo and Robbie Fairchild attend the "Cats" photo call at The Corinthia Hotel on Dec. 13, 2019, in London.
Gareth Cattermole, Getty Images
McKellen signs autographs as he walks the red carpet for "Ian McKellen: Playing The Part" during the 12th Rome Film Fest on Nov. 1, 2017, in Rome.
McKellen signs autographs as he walks the red carpet for "Ian McKellen: Playing The Part" during the 12th Rome Film Fest on Nov. 1, 2017, in Rome.
Ernesto S. Ruscio, Getty Images
McKellen speaks to the audience during the "Ian McKellen: Playing The Part" press conference during the 12th Rome Film Fest at Auditorium Parco Della Musica on Nov. 1, 2017, in Rome.
McKellen speaks to the audience during the "Ian McKellen: Playing The Part" press conference during the 12th Rome Film Fest at Auditorium Parco Della Musica on Nov. 1, 2017, in Rome.
Ernesto S. Ruscio, Getty Images
McKellen got silly as he posed at the "Ian McKellen: Playing The Part" photo call during the 12th Rome Film Fest on Nov. 1, 2017, in Rome, Italy.
McKellen got silly as he posed at the "Ian McKellen: Playing The Part" photo call during the 12th Rome Film Fest on Nov. 1, 2017, in Rome, Italy.
Vittorio Zunino Celotto, Getty Images
McKellen reacts from the center court royal box during the gentlemen's singles quarter final match between Andy Murray of Great Britain and Sam Querrey of the U.S. on day nine of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 12, 2017, in London.
McKellen reacts from the center court royal box during the gentlemen's singles quarter final match between Andy Murray of Great Britain and Sam Querrey of the U.S. on day nine of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 12, 2017, in London.
Michael Steele, Getty Images
He also attended day eight of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships on July 11, 2017.
He also attended day eight of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships on July 11, 2017.
Karwai Tang, WireImage
Sir Ian McKellen attends the New York screening of Disney's live-action adaptation "Beauty and the Beast" at Alice Tully Hall on March 13, 2017, in New York City.
Sir Ian McKellen attends the New York screening of Disney's live-action adaptation "Beauty and the Beast" at Alice Tully Hall on March 13, 2017, in New York City.
ANGELA WEISS, AFP/Getty Images
McKellen attends the unveiling of his dedicated beach locker room on the Promenade des Planches during the 41st Deauville American Film Festival on Sept. 10, 2015, in Deauville, France.
McKellen attends the unveiling of his dedicated beach locker room on the Promenade des Planches during the 41st Deauville American Film Festival on Sept. 10, 2015, in Deauville, France.
Francois Durand, Getty Images
McKellen shows off his "Lord of the Rings"-inspired tattoo of the Elvish number nine as he arrives for the screening of "Mr Holmes" during the 41st Deauville U.S. Film Festival in the French resort of Deauville on Sept. 10, 2015.
McKellen shows off his "Lord of the Rings"-inspired tattoo of the Elvish number nine as he arrives for the screening of "Mr Holmes" during the 41st Deauville U.S. Film Festival in the French resort of Deauville on Sept. 10, 2015.
Charly Triballeau, AFP/Getty Images
McKellen poses during a portrait session in New York on June 26, 2015, at the Crosby Street Hotel.
McKellen poses during a portrait session in New York on June 26, 2015, at the Crosby Street Hotel.
Jason Allen, For USA TODAY
McKellen played Sherlock Holmes in 2014's "Mr. Holmes."
McKellen played Sherlock Holmes in 2014's "Mr. Holmes."
Giles Keyte, Miramax And Roadsid
McKellen and friend Sir Patrick Stewart, left, attended the Conversations With Ian McKellen And Patrick Stewart at John L. Tishman Auditorium at University Center on Jan. 28, 2014, in New York.
McKellen and friend Sir Patrick Stewart, left, attended the Conversations With Ian McKellen And Patrick Stewart at John L. Tishman Auditorium at University Center on Jan. 28, 2014, in New York.
Charles Norfleet, FilmMagic
McKellen and Sting attend The Culture Project's "The Seagull" opening night party at B Bar and Grill on Oct.13, 2013, in New York.
McKellen and Sting attend The Culture Project's "The Seagull" opening night party at B Bar and Grill on Oct.13, 2013, in New York.
Taylor Hill, FilmMagic
Ian McKellen in a scene from 2013's "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug."
Ian McKellen in a scene from 2013's "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug."
Warner Bros. Pictures
McKellen as Gandalf in a scene from 2012's "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies."
McKellen as Gandalf in a scene from 2012's "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies."
Todd Eyre, MGM/Warner Bros. Pictures
Ian McKellen poses during a photo session ahead of the release of "The Hobbit" in 2012.
Ian McKellen poses during a photo session ahead of the release of "The Hobbit" in 2012.
Robert Deutsch, USAT
Ian McKellen arrives for the BAFTA awards at the Royal Opera House in London on Feb. 11, 2007.
Ian McKellen arrives for the BAFTA awards at the Royal Opera House in London on Feb. 11, 2007.
Stephen Hird, REUTERS
Ian McKellen, aka Magneto, is seen in 2003's "X2: X-Men United (2003)."
Ian McKellen, aka Magneto, is seen in 2003's "X2: X-Men United (2003)."
Courtesy Of Twentieth Century Fox
McKellen waves to the crowd on the red carpet before the world premiere of the "Return Of The King," the third film in "The Lord Of The Rings" trilogy, in Wellington, New Zealand, on Dec. 1, 2003.
McKellen waves to the crowd on the red carpet before the world premiere of the "Return Of The King," the third film in "The Lord Of The Rings" trilogy, in Wellington, New Zealand, on Dec. 1, 2003.
Phil Walter, Getty Images
He and Rebecca Romijn-Stamos posed for photographers as they arrived at the world premiere of "X2: X-Men United" on April 24, 2003, in London.
He and Rebecca Romijn-Stamos posed for photographers as they arrived at the world premiere of "X2: X-Men United" on April 24, 2003, in London.
Scott Barbour, Getty Images
McKellen during portrait session in Los Angeles on Dec. 5, 2003.
McKellen during portrait session in Los Angeles on Dec. 5, 2003.
Dan Macmedan, USA TODAY
Sir Ian McKellen takes part in the procession around the streets of Manchester, England, in the 10th EuroPride festival on Aug. 23, 2003.
Sir Ian McKellen takes part in the procession around the streets of Manchester, England, in the 10th EuroPride festival on Aug. 23, 2003.
Andrew Fox/Reuters
McKellen holds a portrait of himself on Feb. 22, 2002, during the unveiling of the painting by artist Clive Smith at the National Portrait Gallery in London.
McKellen holds a portrait of himself on Feb. 22, 2002, during the unveiling of the painting by artist Clive Smith at the National Portrait Gallery in London.
Sion Touhig, Getty Images
McKellen, who played Gandalf the Grey in "The Lord of the Rings," hands over an autographed Gandalf figure to a young fan on Jan. 19, 2002.
McKellen, who played Gandalf the Grey in "The Lord of the Rings," hands over an autographed Gandalf figure to a young fan on Jan. 19, 2002.
Sebastian Artz, Getty Images
Ian McKellen plays Gandalf the White in New Line Cinema's 2002 film "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers."
Ian McKellen plays Gandalf the White in New Line Cinema's 2002 film "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers."
New Line Productions
McKellen during a portrait shoot in New York on Dec. 5, 2001.
McKellen during a portrait shoot in New York on Dec. 5, 2001.
Todd Plitt, USA TODAY
McKellen in "An Enemy of the People," directed by Trevor Nunn, in 1998.
McKellen in "An Enemy of the People," directed by Trevor Nunn, in 1998.
John Haynes
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