If you are playing King Lear you are the centre of attention anyway. You don't need to draw attention to yourself. It's… — 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
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
We're very lucky, men, that there are these fabulous parts. Women - once you've done all the parts in Shakespeare, they start… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
It is really, really wonderful that in your old age you are protected by specialists who understand your problems and sort them… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
I'm the sort of person who doesn't write in ink. I only write in pencil, so it can be rubbed out. — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
When I've been asked what should be on my gravestone, I've said: 'Here lies Gandalf. He came out.' Two big achievements. — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
Anyone in public life who comes out, comes out primarily for themselves, and their life is immediately improved. That's what happened to… — 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
Thanks to every gay person in public and non-public life who has come out. — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
When I came out, I told my stepmother Gladys, and she just said she had known for years and was glad I… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
In the past, kids didn't tell their parents they were gay, so there were never the bust-ups. Some parents react so strongly… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
I remember Tom Stoppard saying to me when I came out, 'I feel so sorry for you, because you'll never have children.'… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
The first film role I deliberately chose to play after I came out was a raging heterosexual, John Profumo. — 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