There are some tremendous actors in the U.K. who have been knighted, and I've spent much of my life admiring many of… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
I have little routines in the theater. Once I've established something, like the order of putting on makeup and a costume, I… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
When we'd suggested doing it, the Theatre Royal management had said, 'Nobody wants to see Waiting for Godot.' As it happened, every… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
Theatre is relatively easy if you're British - you're living in the theatre capital of the world, London - there are so… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
Macbeth is a very popular play with audiences. If you want to sell out a theater, just mount a production of Macbeth.… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
'King Lear,' I've been seeing all my life. I mean, the great actors of my lifetime... to join their company, as it… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
I have never wanted to be typecast, one of those actors who plays a variation on a one-note theme. So just as… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
So it's joyful to me, in my 71st year, to be able to be in a play that is absolutely right for… — 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