I'd never read 'Lord of the Rings' until I was asked to play Gandalf, so I didn't really know it was a… — 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 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
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 have heard of people dying from prostate cancer, and they are the unlucky ones, the people who didn't know they had… — 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
Shakespeare's villains are fabulous because none of them know that they are villains. Well, sometimes they do. — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
One school invited me down, as two pupils had come out, and the headmaster didn't know what to do about it. I… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
Anyone who thinks Peter Jackson would fall for market forces around him rather than artistic integrity doesn't know the guy or the… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
If I have any audience, they can know that anything I am in, I would go see, with the expectation of being… — 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
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
When I was playing Gandalf, I didn't think, 'Oh my dear, I'm playing a 7,000 year old wizard,' because I've never met… — 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 Image
It's my impression that I've done every job that I've been asked to do. — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
I'm fortunate to be famous for two rather imposing characters like Magneto and Gandalf. — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
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 Image
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 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 lines and… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
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 Image
You might be surprised by how interested young people are in older people. — 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 it. Not… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
Until I came out, my acting was all about disguise, and thereafter it became about telling the truth. — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
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 Image
