In the '50s and '60s, the life of a gay man was a secret. Homosexuality was illegal, so you didn't draw attention… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
I just followed my parents' example and advice on living, which was to leave the world a better place than you found… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
I always walk up the escalator on the Tube, and I live in a house with a lot of stairs, and that's… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
You put anyone in the outfit, and they look like Gandalf. Not that clever. — 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
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
Some relationships get easier as you get older, depending on what sort of person you are. I don't think I've got any… — 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
Very, very rare that you do a job knowing that the audience is desperate for you to do that job. Most films… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
You see people in Hollywood trying to make blockbuster after blockbuster, but it's not possible. There's some god up there saying, 'You… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
The huge difference in my lifetime is that you can just go up to somebody and make a pass. You couldn't do… — Ian Mckellen Copy Share Image
Establishing the rights for gay people to be married would cost the Australian government nothing financially and would gain for you worldwide… — 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
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
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
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
