Ian McKellen

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Ian McKellen BIO

McKellen is recognised worldwide as Magneto in the X-Men films and Gandalf in Tolkien's Middle Earth films. He won his first Oscar nomination as Best Actor, as the gay film director James Whale, in Bill Condon's 1998 classic "Gods and Monsters". Since he has starred in The Da Vinci Code", "Mr Holmes", "Beauty and the Beast", with "CATS" yet to come.
In Shakespeare he has triumphed as Richard II, Macbeth (with Judi Dench), Coriolanus, Iago, Richard III (also on film) and most recently as King Lear. He was in the first of Martin Sherman's sensational "Bent" and premieres of plays by Arnold Wesker, Peter Shaffer, Michael Frayn, Alan Ayckbourn and Mark Ravenhill. Of late he has been Widow Twankey in the Old Vic's "Aladdin" pantomime and toured "Waiting for Godot" and "No Man's Land" with Patrick Stewart. As Salieri in "Amadeus" he won the Tony Award in 1981.

Ian McKellen Photos

Ian McKellen STAGE CREDITS

[West End]
2024
Falstaff

[West End]
2022
Mother Goose [Replacement]

[West End]
London Production, 2022
Voice

[West End]
Original West End Production, 2019
Cast

[West End]
Chichester Festival Theatre West End Revival, 2018
King Lear

[West End]
Almeida Theatre Original Film Project, 2017
Performer

[West End]
West End Production, 2016
Spooner

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2013
Spooner

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2013
Estragon

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2001
Edgar

[Broadway]
1986
Platonov

[Broadway]
1984
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1980
Antonio Salieri

[London Fringe]
Original London Production, 1977
Performer

[Broadway]
1967
Leonidik


Ian McKellen Movies

Alfred the Great
[ 1969 ] Roger
A Touch of Love
[ 1969 ] George
The Promise
[ 1969 ] Leonidik
Priest of Love
[ 1981 ] D.H. Lawrence
The Keep
[ 1983 ] Dr. Theodore Cuza
Plenty
[ 1985 ] Sir Andrew Charleson
Zina
[ 1985 ] Kronfeld
Scandal
[ 1989 ] John Profumo
Six Degrees of Separation
[ 1993 ] Geoffrey
The Ballad of Little Jo
[ 1993 ] Percy Corcoran
Last Action Hero
[ 1993 ] Death Sir Ian McKellan
I'll Do Anything
[ 1994 ] John Earl McAlpine
The Shadow
[ 1994 ] Reinhardt Lane
Heaven's a Drag
[ 1994 ] Quilt Documentary Narrator
Richard III
[ 1995 ] Richard III - Duke of Gloucester
Restoration
[ 1995 ] Will Gates
Jack & Sarah
[ 1995 ] William
Bent
[ 1997 ] Uncle Freddie
Swept from the Sea
[ 1997 ] Dr. James Kennedy
Gods and Monsters
[ 1998 ] James Whale
Apt Pupil
[ 1998 ] Kurt Dussander
The Book That Wrote Itself
[ 1999 ] Mr. McKellen
X-Men
[ 2000 ] Eric Lensherr, Magneto
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
[ 2001 ] Gandalf
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
[ 2002 ] Gandalf
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
[ 2003 ] Gandalf
X2: X-Men United
[ 2003 ] Eric Lehnsherr, Magneto
Emile
[ 2003 ] Emile
Neverwas
[ 2005 ] Gabriel Finch
Eighteen
[ 2005 ] Jon Anders
Sprung! The Magic Roundabout
[ 2005 ] Zebedee
Asylum
[ 2005 ] Dr. Peter Cleave
The Da Vinci Code
[ 2006 ] Sir Leigh Teabing
Flushed Away
[ 2006 ] The Toad
X-Men: The Last Stand
[ 2006 ] Erik Lehnsherr, Magneto
Doogal
[ 2006 ] Zebedee
Displaced
[ 2006 ] voice
The Golden Compass
[ 2007 ] Iorek Byrnison
Stardust
[ 2007 ] Narrator
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
[ 2012 ] Gandalf
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
[ 2013 ] Gandalf
X-Men: Days of Future Past
[ 2014 ] Magneto
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
[ 2014 ] Gandalf
Miss in Her Teens
[ 2014 ] The Prologue
Mr. Holmes
[ 2015 ] Sherlock Holmes
Look Back in Anger
[ 2016 ] Colonel
Animal Crackers
[ 2017 ] Horatio P. Huntington
Beauty and the Beast
[ 2017 ] Cogsworth
National Theatre Live: King Lear
[ 2018 ] King Lear
All Is True
[ 2018 ] Earl of Southampton
The Good Liar
[ 2019 ] Roy Courtnay
Cats
[ 2019 ] Gus the Theatre Cat
Infinitum: Subject Unknown
[ 2021 ] Dr. Charles Marland-White
The Critic
[ 2023 ] Jimmy Erskine

Ian McKellen TV Shows

Vicious
Freddie Thornhill

Ian McKellen Awards and Nominations

Olivier Awards - 2017 - Best Actor

Ian McKellen, No Man's Land

Ian McKellen Videos

Ian McKellen News


PLAYER KINGS Starring Ian McKellen Will Embark on UK Tour

Ian McKellen-led Player Kings, adapted and directed by Robert Icke from William Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2 is to go on a UK tour following its West End run.

Review: THE RETURN OF THE KING IN CONCERT, Royal Albert Hall

With a live rendition of the Oscar-winning score by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and the Philharmonia Chorus, the latest in the Royal Albert Hall’s “films in concert” series brings the The Lord of the Rings epic fantasy saga to a majestic conclusion.

Photo: First Look at Ian McKellen as Falstaff in PLAYER KINGS

An all new photo has been released of Ian McKellen as Falstaff in Player Kings, which begins previews tonight. Check out the photo here!

Martin Freeman, Dermot O'Leary, Matt Lucas and More Set For WHODUNNIT [UNREHEARSED] 3

Park Theatre has announced the remaining celebrity guests taking part in the popular murder mystery fundraising spoof Whodunnit [Unrehearsed] 3. Learn more about the lineup here!

Interview: 'She's Quite a Character!': Actor Clare Perkins on Modernising Shakespeare and Playing Mistress Quickly in Robert Icke's PLAYER KINGS

Player Kings, a new adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henry IV Parts 1 and 2, arrives on the West End in April. Recently, we had the chance to speak with Clare Perkins, who plays Mistress Quickly. We discussed taking on a modern version of Shakespeare and what she hopes audiences take away from the work.

Dame Rosemary Squire And Sir Howard Panter Receive Freedom Of The City Of London

The City of London Corporation has announced that theatre entrepreneurs Dame Rosemary Squire and Sir Howard Panter have received the Freedom of the City of London, in recognition of their contribution to theatre and the cultural life of London.

'You Should Be Disturbed;' Ralph Fiennes Calls For Limited Trigger Warnings In Theatres

Ralph Fiennes has voiced his opposition to the use of trigger warnings in theatres, advocating for audiences to experience the full impact of the production without prior alerts to potentially disturbing content.

UK New Writing Initiative Launched By Bullet Point Theatre

Bullet Point Theatre have announced their brand-new initiative, Pitch Point, aiming to break the gap between new work creatives and those who can take their shows to the next level, supported by Seven Dials Playhouse this Spring 2024.

Scottish Premiere Of New Dolly Parton Musical HERE YOU COME AGAIN Comes To Glasgow's King's Theatre in October

Here You Come Again will arrive in Glasgow as part of a major UK tour ahead of performances in the West End. The Scottish premiere of this new Dolly Parton musical brings all her biggest hits together for the first time ever in a rollicking and joyful show, fully authorised by Dolly herself.

Photos: Inside Rehearsal For PLAYER KINGS, Starring Ian McKellen!

Rehearsal photos have been released for Player Kings, adapted by Robert Icke from William Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2.  Check out the photos here!

METAVERSE OF MAGIC Will Embark on International Tour with Sights Set on Broadway and the West End

Metaverse of Magic, a new Australian interactive theatrical production is set to embark on an international tour, with its sights set on Broadway and London's West End, having concluded its successful premiere Australian tour.

Dolly Parton's HERE YOU COME AGAIN Will Embark on UK Tour Prior to West End Run

Following its UK Premiere in Leeds from Saturday 11 May to Saturday 8 June, Here You Come Again will embark on a major UK tour, bringing together for the first time ever all of Dolly Parton's biggest hits in a rollicking and joyful new musical, fully authorised by Dolly herself.

Full Cast Set for PLAYER KINGS Starring Ian McKellen, Toheeb Jimoh & Richard Coyle

IAN MCKELLEN, TOHEEB JIMOH & RICHARD COYLE star in Robert Icke's production of PLAYER KINGS, adapted from Shakespeare's Henry IV, Parts 1 & 2.

Toheeb Jimoh and Richard Coyle Join Ian McKellen in Robert Icke's Production of PLAYER KINGS

The full cast has been revealed for Player Kings, adapted by Robert Icke from William Shakespeare's Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2.

Mark Strong and Lesley Manville to Star in Robert Icke's OEDIPUS in the West End

Oedipus, a new adaptation created by Robert Icke after Sophocles, is set to have a West End run. Learn additional details and see how to purchase tickets!

HOT WHITE HEIST Podcast Starring Bowen Yang, Cynthia Nixon, Jane Lynch & More to Return for Season 2

Audible, Inc.'s hit queer action-comedy Hot White Heist will return for season two on March 7 with six half-hour episodes available exclusively on Audible.

CATS is Now Available to Stream on Netflix

The 2019 film adaptation of CATS is now available to stream on Netflix in the US. Find out how and where to watch CATS here!

Papatango Reveals 2024 New Writing Prize and Partnership with Park Theatre

Papatango has announced that their 2024 New Writing Prize will open for submissions at noon on Wednesday 17 January, until noon on Monday 11 March. Plus, this year's winning play, Some Demon by Laura Waldren, will transfer to Bristol Old Vic from 9 to 13 July.

RSC's New Season to Include OTHELLO, EDWARD II and Works by Sheridan and Hanif Kureishi

Newly appointed Co-Artistic Directors of the RSC, Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey have announced their inaugural season for the Company.

Broadway Streaming Guide: January 2024 - Where to Watch HAZBIN HOTEL & More

Although it may be a new year, a few classics are returning to streaming services, giving Broadway fans the perfect throwback binge list. A new month also wouldn't be complete without some theatre faces popping up in new streaming releases, including the new Mean Girls soundtrack and a star-studded animated series.

Ian McKellen FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Ian McKellen been in?

Ian McKellen has appeared on Broadway in 8 shows.

How many West End shows has Ian McKellen been in?

Ian McKellen has appeared on London's West End in 7 shows.

What was Ian McKellen's first West End show?

Ian McKellen's first West End show was No Man's Land which opened in 2016

What awards has Ian McKellen been nominated for?

Ian McKellen has been nominated for Best Actor at the Olivier Awards for his performance in No Man's Land.

What is Ian McKellen next theatre project?

Ian McKellen's next show will be Player Kings which opens on 4/1/2024 on West End.

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