You can always pick out stage actors at the Oscars: they know how to walk. — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
That's the imagination that happens in the theater. That imagination is translated in film by the film magicians and all the technology. — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
I know actors who have had to turn down good roles because they just don't pay enough. It's hard. — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
There are a lot of actors - I'm probably one - who are most at home when they're on stage. — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
The press like to talk to actors. They mustn't be surprised when actors talk back to them. — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
Why do you act? You act for an audience. In the theatre, you're in their presence. Film stars don't know what it… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
When you were on stage, you could be absolutely open about your emotions and indulge them and express yourself in a way… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
On the whole, actors shout when they don't know what they're doing, trying to make an impact. — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
I'm not being offered a constant stream of wonderful parts with wonderful directors that would keep me away from the theatre. When… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
You would be surprised how many directors don't know what they want. They might not know what they want until they see… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
There are people who've enjoyed my work in the theater, and they let me know that it was special for them. I'm… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
I don't any longer make any quality judgement between theater and cinema. They are different experiences for the audience, and they also… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
I came rather late to film. I've done an awful lot of theater before - before I discovered the camera, you know,… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
Before I ever acted as an amateur - which I did a great deal at school and at university - I used… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
Before acting, I wanted to become a journalist. I also toyed with the idea of being a chef - but that's only… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
If you've been in a film that's seen by millions and millions and millions of people, you're more likely to be recognized… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
I'm not experienced enough, or certain enough of my acting on the screen to say to a director, "You are wrong, I… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
I've always longed for the theatre and acting to be popular. No actor wants to play to an empty house. We only… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
I used to comfort myself when I became an actor that it was a useful job, entertaining people. And it was important… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
I got better as an actor, and still I'm getting better. That's only been possible because there's always been work. — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
For old actors, just remember that inside you're only 14. Acting is for kids. You poor old grown-ups, you've forgotten how to… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
I love the Broadway audiences, who relish live drama and don't hesitate to display their enthusiasm. — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
Gandalf's a good guy, and it's a good part. He says the right things, he believes the right things. An actor can… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
The performance is created by the director. The actor is the material. And I think that has to be true. — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
I'm only an actor. I'm not a writer. I'm not going to leave any legacy. All I've ever done is learn the… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
When you're on stage with an audience, the director's nowhere to be seen. He's onto the next job. — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
There are not many things in my life I can be absolutely proud of or certain I got right, but one of… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
In the theatre, the actor is in total control. The director wasn't in the house last night, the designer wasn't there, the… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
It's easier to go from theatre to film than the other way round. In film you're absolutely loved and cossetted and cared… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
The one thing you can ask, I think, is that actors get paid a living wage. I would like it if all… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
The most likely explanation is the most practical. 'Macbeth' is a very popular play with audiences. If you want to sell out… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
I think the point to be understood is that we're all different. I've never been a fan of theories of acting. I… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
The strength of British theatre should be that these actors in their middle years know what they're doing and are good at… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
I've always longed for the theatre and acting to be popular. No actor wants to play to an empty house. We only do it… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share
I'm fortunate to be famous for two rather imposing characters like Magneto and Gandalf. — Ian Mckellen Copy Share
If you are playing King Lear you are the centre of attention anyway. You don't need to draw attention to yourself. It's all laid… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share
Godot is whatever it is in life that you are waiting for: 'I'm waiting to win the lottery. I'm waiting to fall in love'.… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share
I'm only an actor. I'm not a writer. I'm not going to leave any legacy. All I've ever done is learn the lines and… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share
I'd never read 'Lord of the Rings' until I was asked to play Gandalf, so I didn't really know it was a frightfully famous… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share
The strength of British theatre should be that these actors in their middle years know what they're doing and are good at it. Not… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share
Until I came out, my acting was all about disguise, and thereafter it became about telling the truth. — Ian Mckellen Copy Share
Elijah looks angelic but his beauty of spirit is what makes his Frodo leap out of the screen. Unalloyed goodness is one of the… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share
When I appeared in 'Coronation Street,' I lived in Manchester and enjoyed it very much. — Ian Mckellen Copy Share
Before acting, I wanted to become a journalist. I also toyed with the idea of being a chef - but that's only when people… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share
