---
title: "19 Want Quotes By Ian Mckellen"
description: "19 Want quotes by Ian Mckellen. Plus more from Ian Mckellen and more Want sayings from other authors."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70b/ian-mckellen-1396_about_what-s-upsetting-about-an-autobiography_1129340.jpg"
---

> [What's upsetting about an autobiography is that the final chapter is always missing. I mean, you want the death, don't you?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/what-s-upsetting-about-an-autobiography-is-that-the-final-chapter-is/)

[Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70b/ian-mckellen-1396_about_what-s-upsetting-about-an-autobiography_1129340.jpg)

> [Why not celebrate those who want to marry and bring up a family?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/why-not-celebrate-those-who-want-to-marry-and-bring-up-a-family/)

[Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/94e/ian-mckellen-1396_bring_why-not-celebrate-those-who-want-to-marr_2509030.jpg)

> [I can't make up my mind whether I want to dance like Josef Brown or dance with Josef Brown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/i-can-t-make-up-my-mind-whether-i-want-to-dance-like-josef-brown-or/)

[Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01d/ian-mckellen-1396_brown_i-can-t-make-up-my-mind-whether-i-want-t_605294.jpg)

> [Even now, there are young actors who want careers as romantic leading men, and the best thing is not to reveal you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/even-now-there-are-young-actors-who-want-careers-as-romantic-leading/)

[Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8bc/ian-mckellen-1396_actor_even-now-there-are-young-actors-who-want_545917.jpg)

> [Macbeth is a very popular play with audiences. If you want to sell out a theater, just mount a production of Macbeth.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/macbeth-is-a-very-popular-play-with-audiences-if-you-want-to-sell-out/)

[Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d3/ian-mckellen-1396_acting_macbeth-is-a-very-popular-play-with-audi_549201.jpg)

> [You would be surprised how many directors don't know what they want. They might not know what they want until they see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/you-would-be-surprised-how-many-directors-don-t-know-what-they-want/)

[Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/afd/ian-mckellen-1396_actors_you-would-be-surprised-how-many-director_522188.jpg)

> [Why live outside the US? Do you want health care or safe food products or democracy or something? They're all overrated. Stay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/why-live-outside-the-us-do-you-want-health-care-or-safe-food-products/)

[Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e64/ian-mckellen-1396_cable_why-live-outside-the-us-do-you-want-heal_417614.jpg)

> [Journalists often ask me: "Aren't you sorry that after all the work you've done, you're best known as Magneto and Gandalf?" But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/journalists-often-ask-me-aren-t-you-sorry-that-after-all-the-work-you/)

[Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/37c/ian-mckellen-1396_ask-me_journalists-often-ask-me-aren-t-you-sorr_3151881.jpg)

> [When we'd suggested doing it, the Theatre Royal management had said, 'Nobody wants to see Waiting for Godot.' As it happened, every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/when-we-d-suggested-doing-it-the-theatre-royal-management-had-said/)

[Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33e/ian-mckellen-1396_amazing_when-we-d-suggested-doing-it-the-theatre_1031674.jpg)

> [I've had enough of being a gay icon! I've had enough of all this hard work, because, since I came out, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/i-ve-had-enough-of-being-a-gay-icon-i-ve-had-enough-of-all-this-hard/)

[Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a8/ian-mckellen-1396_actors_i-ve-had-enough-of-being-a-gay-icon-i-ve_2794489.jpg)

> [I have been reluctant to lobby on other issues I most care about - nuclear weapons (against), religion (atheist), capital punishment (anti),…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/i-have-been-reluctant-to-lobby-on-other-issues-i-most-care-about/)

[Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/849/ian-mckellen-1396_against-religion_i-have-been-reluctant-to-lobby-on-other_1180599.jpg)

> [You always think that 70 is the end of the road: 'Somebody died when they were 73; good life'. You're closer to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/you-always-think-that-70-is-the-end-of-the-road-somebody-died-when/)

[Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c21/ian-mckellen-1396_believe_you-always-think-that-70-is-the-end-of-t_211782.jpg)

> [The most likely explanation is the most practical. 'Macbeth' is a very popular play with audiences. If you want to sell out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/the-most-likely-explanation-is-the-most-practical-macbeth-is-a-very/)

[Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/445/ian-mckellen-1396_acting_the-most-likely-explanation-is-the-most_281970.jpg)

> [If I was on a march at the moment I would be saying to everyone: Be honest with each other. Admit there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/if-i-was-on-a-march-at-the-moment-i-would-be-saying-to-everyone-be/)

[Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/566/ian-mckellen-1396_honest_if-i-was-on-a-march-at-the-moment-i-woul_295890.jpg)

> [There are directors, and I think this is true of all directors, it would be true if I was a director -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/there-are-directors-and-i-think-this-is-true-of-all-directors-it/)

[Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/903/ian-mckellen-1396_actors_there-are-directors-and-i-think-this-is_933375.jpg)

> [I've always longed for the theatre and acting to be popular. No actor wants to play to an empty house. We only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/i-ve-always-longed-for-the-theatre-and-acting-to-be-popular-no-actor/)

[Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/452/ian-mckellen-1396_acting_i-ve-always-longed-for-the-theatre-and-a_19535.jpg)

> [It is very, very, very difficult for an American actor who wants a film career to be open about his sexuality. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/it-is-very-very-very-difficult-for-an-american-actor-who-wants-a-film/)

[Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b9/ian-mckellen-1396_actor_it-is-very-very-very-difficult-for-an-am_2793435.jpg)

> [I think it's one thing to declare your sexuality, if you care about what that is. It's another thing to start talking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/i-think-it-s-one-thing-to-declare-your-sexuality-if-you-care-about/)

[Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e27/ian-mckellen-1396_care_i-think-it-s-one-thing-to-declare-your-s_1055264.jpg)

> [Quite low down in the list is "How much am I going to be paid?"... my main feeling about money is that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/quite-low-down-in-the-list-is-how-much-am-i-going-to-be-paid-my-main/)

[Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/443/ian-mckellen-1396_acting_quite-low-down-in-the-list-is-how-much-a_1266290.jpg)

## Other authors on Want

## More by Ian Mckellen

> [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/i-ve-always-longed-for-the-theatre-and-acting-to-be-popular-no-actor/)

[Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/)

> [It's my impression that I've done every job that I've been asked to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/it-s-my-impression-that-i-ve-done-every-job-that-i-ve-been-asked-to-do/)

[Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/)

> [I'm fortunate to be famous for two rather imposing characters like Magneto and Gandalf.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/i-m-fortunate-to-be-famous-for-two-rather-imposing-characters-like/)

[Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/)

> [Tolkien is as good as Dickens at sketching a scene.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/tolkien-is-as-good-as-dickens-at-sketching-a-scene/)

[Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/)

> [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/if-you-are-playing-king-lear-you-are-the-centre-of-attention-anyway/)

[Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/)

> [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'.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/godot-is-whatever-it-is-in-life-that-you-are-waiting-for-i-m-waiting/)

[Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/)

> [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/i-m-only-an-actor-i-m-not-a-writer-i-m-not-going-to-leave-any-legacy/)

[Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/)

> [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/i-d-never-read-lord-of-the-rings-until-i-was-asked-to-play-gandalf-so/)

[Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/)

> [You might be surprised by how interested young people are in older people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/you-might-be-surprised-by-how-interested-young-people-are-in-older/)

[Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/)

> [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/the-strength-of-british-theatre-should-be-that-these-actors-in-their/)

[Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/)

> [Until I came out, my acting was all about disguise, and thereafter it became about telling the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/until-i-came-out-my-acting-was-all-about-disguise-and-thereafter-it/)

[Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/)

> [Elijah looks angelic but his beauty of spirit is what makes his Frodo leap out of the screen. Unalloyed goodness is one of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/elijah-looks-angelic-but-his-beauty-of-spirit-is-what-makes-his-frodo/)

[Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/)

> ['The Lego Movie?' I've never heard of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/the-lego-movie-i-ve-never-heard-of-it/)

[Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/)

> [When I appeared in 'Coronation Street,' I lived in Manchester and enjoyed it very much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/when-i-appeared-in-coronation-street-i-lived-in-manchester-and/)

[Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/)

> [Before acting, I wanted to become a journalist. I also toyed with the idea of being a chef - but that's only when people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/before-acting-i-wanted-to-become-a-journalist-i-also-toyed-with-the/)

[Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/)

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                        "text": "Macbeth is a very popular play with audiences. If you want to sell out a theater, just mount a production of Macbeth. It's a short play, it's an exciting play, it's easy to understand, and it attracts great acting.",
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                        "text": "Journalists often ask me: \"Aren't you sorry that after all the work you've done, you're best known as Magneto and Gandalf?\" But that's what I've always wanted - not to be known as myself. I want to draw attention to the characters.",
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                        "text": "When we'd suggested doing it, the Theatre Royal management had said, 'Nobody wants to see Waiting for Godot.' As it happened, every single ticket was booked for every single performance, and this confirmation that our judgment was right was sweet. Audiences came to us from all over the world. It was amazing.",
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                        "text": "I've had enough of being a gay icon! I've had enough of all this hard work, because, since I came out, I keep getting all these parts, and my career's taken off. I want a quiet life. I'm going back into the closet. But I can't get back into the closet, because it's absolutely jam-packed full of other actors.",
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                        "text": "I have been reluctant to lobby on other issues I most care about - nuclear weapons (against), religion (atheist), capital punishment (anti), AIDS (fund-raiser) because I don't want to be forever spouting, diluting the impact of addressing my most urgent concern - legal and social equality for gay people worldwide.",
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                        "text": "The most likely explanation is the most practical. 'Macbeth' is a very popular play with audiences. If you want to sell out a theater, just mount a production of 'Macbeth'. It's a short play, it's an exciting play, it's easy to understand, and it attracts great acting.",
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                        "text": "If I was on a march at the moment I would be saying to everyone: Be honest with each other. Admit there are limitless possibilities in relationships, and love as many people as you can in whatever way you want, and get rid of your inhibitions, and we'll all be happy.",
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                        "text": "There are directors, and I think this is true of all directors, it would be true if I was a director - If the actor didn't want to do what I was suggesting, I would let him do it his way, and then I would say to him, \"Just give me one where you do what the director wants\", and that, of course, is the take that's used.",
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                        "text": "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 for an audience. The more the merrier. I don't make any distinction between a popular TV series or blockbuster film and doing Shakespeare. They're different, but as long as the material is good and the intention is honourable, it's all the same to me.",
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                        "text": "It is very, very, very difficult for an American actor who wants a film career to be open about his sexuality. And even more difficult for a woman if she's lesbian. It's very distressing to me that that should be the case. The film industry is very old fashioned in California.",
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                        "text": "Quite low down in the list is \"How much am I going to be paid?\"... my main feeling about money is that I don't want to feel as though I'm being taken advantage of... The other actors they asked to play Gandalf wouldn't go to New Zealand on that money for that length of time. I thought it would be a bit of an adventure... I'm an eccentric actor, and there's a lot of us around.",
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