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Ian McKellen

Actor, Producer, Writer, Additional CreditsBorn May 25, 1939 (86 years)
Sir Ian Murray McKellen (born 25 May 1939) is an English actor. He has played roles on the screen and stage in genres ranging from Shakespearean dramas and modern theatre to popular fantasy and science fiction. He is regarded as a British cultural icon and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991. He has received numerous accolades, including a Tony Award, six Olivier Awards, and a Golden Globe Award, as well as nominations for two Academy Awards, five BAFTA Awards and five Emmy Awards.

McKellen made his stage debut in 1961 at the Belgrade Theatre as a member of its repertory company, and in 1965 made his first West End appearance. In 1969, he was invited to join the Prospect Theatre Company to play the lead parts in Shakespeare's Richard II and Marlowe's Edward II. In the 1970s, McKellen became a stalwart of the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre of Great Britain. He has earned five Olivier Awards for his roles in Pillars of the Community (1977), The Alchemist (1978), Bent (1979), Wild Honey (1984), and Richard III (1995). McKellen made his Broadway debut in The Promise (1965). He received the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his role as Antonio Salieri in Amadeus (1980). He was further nominated for Ian McKellen: Acting Shakespeare (1984). He returned to Broadway in Wild Honey(1986), Dance of Death (1990), No Man's Land (2013), and Waiting for Godot (2013), the latter two being a joint production with Patrick Stewart.

McKellen achieved worldwide fame for his film roles, including the titular King in Richard III(1995), James Whale in Gods and Monsters (1998), Magneto in the X-Men films, Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast (2017) and Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings (2001–2003) and The Hobbit (2012–2014) trilogies. Other notable film roles include A Touch of Love (1969), Plenty (1985), Six Degrees of Separation (1993), Restoration (1995), Flushed Away (2006), Mr. Holmes (2015), and The Good Liar (2019).

McKellen came out as gay in 1988, and has since championed LGBT social movements worldwide. He was awarded the Freedom of the City of London in October 2014. McKellen is a cofounder of Stonewall, an LGBT rights lobby group in the United Kingdom, named after the Stonewall riots. He is also patron of LGBT History Month, Pride London, Oxford Pride, GayGlos, LGBT Foundation and FFLAG.

Description above from the Wikipedia article Ian McKellen, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Movies & Shows on Plex

  • The Isle
  • Infinitum: Subject Unknown
  • Bent
  • Coronation Street
  • Dagr
  • Emile
  • Miss in Her Teens
  • Countdown to War
  • Hamlet

Known For

  • The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
  • The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
  • The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
  • The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
  • The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
  • The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
  • X-Men
  • X-Men: The Last Stand
  • The Da Vinci Code
  • X-Men: Days of Future Past
  • X2: X-Men United
  • Mr. Holmes
  • Gods and Monsters
  • Flushed Away
  • The Golden Compass
  • Apt Pupil
  • The Good Liar
  • Richard III
  • Stardust
  • Vicious
  • The Prisoner (2009)
  • Neverwas
  • The Isle
  • The Critic

Featured Videos

  • Beauty And The Beast: Ian McKellen On Being Part Of Such An Amazing Ensemble
    Beauty And The Beast: Ian McKellen On Being Part Of Such An Amazing EnsembleBeauty and the BeastBehind the Scenes

Ian McKellen Filmography

2027
2026
Avengers: Doomsday · as Magneto
2026
2025
The Christophers · as Julian Sklar
2024
2024
Hamlet · as Hamlet
2024
ted (TV Series) · as Narrator (voice)
2023
The Critic · as Jimmy Erskine
2023
The One Note Man · as Narrator (voice)
2022
2021
2021
Infinitum: Subject Unknown · as Dr. Charles Marland-White
2019
Cats · as Gus, The Theatre Cat
2019
The Good Liar · as Roy Courtnay
2018
All Is True · as Earl Of Southampton
2018
2017
Animal Crackers · as Horatio P. Huntington (voice)
2017
Beauty and the Beast · as Cogsworth
2016
2016
2016
The Eurovision Song Contest · as Freddie Thornhill
2015
The Dresser · as Norman
2015
Mr. Holmes · as Sherlock Holmes
2015
2015
2014
2014
2014
Miss in Her Teens · as The Prologue
2014
2013
2013
Fifty Years on Stage · as Richard Iii
2013
The Wolverine · as Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto (uncredited)
2013
The Egg Trick · as Magician
2013
Vicious (TV Series) · as Freddie Thornhill
2012
Doctor Who: The Snowmen · as The Great Intelligence (voice)
2012
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey · as Gandalf The Grey
2012
2010
Small-Time Revolutionary · as Hamish Miller (voice)
2010
2009
The Academy · as Murray
2009
The Prisoner (2009) (TV Series) · as 2 / Curtis
2008
King Lear · as King Lear
2007
The Golden Compass · as Iorek Byrnison (voice)
2007
BBC World News America (TV Series) · as Hamlet
2007
Stardust · as Narrator (voice)
2006
Flushed Away · as The Toad (voice)
2006
X-Men: The Last Stand · as Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto
2006
The Da Vinci Code · as Sir Leigh Teabing
2006
Saint of 9/11 · as Narrator
2006
Displaced · as Cast
2006
Doogal · as Zebedee (voice)
2005
Neverwas · as Gabriel Finch
2005
Asylum · as Dr. Peter Cleave
2005
Doctor Who (2005) (TV Series) · as Great Intelligence
2005
Eighteen · as Jason Anders (voice)
2004
2004
The Magic Roundabout · as Zebedee (voice)
2004
2003
2003
2003
2003
2003
X2: X-Men United · as Eric Lehnsherr / Magneto
2003
2003
Emile · as Emile
2002
2002
2002
2002
Lord of the Piercing · as Gandalf
2001
2001
2000
X-Men · as Magneto
2000
Cirque du Soleil: Journey of Man · as Narrator (voice)
2000
William Shakespeare · as Richard Iii
1999
David Copperfield (1999) (TV Series) · as Creakle
1999
The Book That Wrote Itself · as Mr. Mckellen
1999
Family Guy (TV Series) · as Dr. Cecil Pritchfield (voice)
1998
Gods and Monsters · as James Whale
1998
Apt Pupil · as Kurt Dussander
1997
Swept from the Sea · as Dr. James Kennedy
1997
The Great Composers (TV Series) · as Tchaikovsky
1997
Bent · as Uncle Freddie
1997
A Bit of Scarlet · as Narrator
1996
Rasputin · as Tsar Nicholas Ii
1995
Restoration · as Will Gates
1995
Richard III · as Richard Iii
1995
Jack & Sarah · as William
1995
Cold Comfort Farm · as Amos Starkadder
1994
Heaven's a Drag · as Quilt Documentary Narrator (voice)
1994
The Shadow · as Dr. Reinhardt Lane
1994
David Macaulay: Roman City · as Augustus Caesar (voice)
1994
I'll Do Anything · as John Earl Mcalpine
1993
1993
1993
Tales of the City (TV Series) · as Archibald Anson Gidde
1993
And the Band Played On · as Bill Kraus
1993
The Ballad of Little Jo · as Percy Corcoran
1993
Last Action Hero · as Death
1992
1991
1989
The Simpsons (TV Series) · as Ian Mckellen (voice)
1989
Countdown to War · as Adolf Hitler
1989
Scandal · as John Profumo
1988
Windmills of the Gods (TV Series) · as Chairman
1988
1985
Zina · as Kronfeld
1985
Plenty · as Sir Andrew Charleson
1985
Theatre Night (TV Series) · as Iago
1985
Explorer (TV Series) · as Gandalf The Grey
1983
The Keep · as Dr. Theodore Cuza
1983
Walter & June · as Walter
1982
The Scarlet Pimpernel · as Chauvelin
1982
Walter · as Walter
1982
Timewatch (TV Series) · as Aldo Moro
1982
1982
1981
Pillar of Fire (TV Series) · as Narrator
1981
Priest of Love · as D.h. Lawrence
1979
Macbeth · as Macbeth
1978
Armchair Thriller (TV Series) · as Anthony Skipling
1973
Playhouse (TV Series) · as Alexander
1972
Country Matters (TV Series) · as David Masterman
1971
Great Performances (TV Series) · as King Lear
1970
Hamlet · as Hamlet
1970
Play for Today (TV Series) · as Cast
1970
Edward II · as King Edward
1970
The Tragedy of King Richard II · as King Richard Ii
1969
1969
Alfred the Great · as Roger
1969
A Touch of Love · as George
1969
ITV Saturday Night Theatre (TV Series) · as Lyov
1967
ITV Playhouse (TV Series) · as Tony
1966
David Copperfieldd (1966) (TV Series) · as David Copperfield
1965
Jackanory (TV Series) · as Storyteller
1965
Play of the Month (TV Series) · as George Tesman
1964
The Wednesday Play (TV Series) · as Wolf
1960
Coronation Street (TV Series) · as Mel Hutchwright

2025
2025
Billy and Dom Eat the World (TV Series) · as Himself
2024
2023
Amanpour (TV Series) · as Self
2023
2022
2022
Happy Birthday Bill · as Self - Narrator
2021
2020
Reunited Apart (TV Series) · as Self
2020
2020 EE BAFTA Film Awards · as Self - Presenter
2019
On Broadway · as Self
2017
2017
Front Row Late (TV Series) · as Self
2017
50 Years Legal · as Self
2017
2017
2016
2016
Shakespeare Live! From the RSC · as Self - Performer
2015
The Dengineers (TV Series) · as Self
2015
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (TV Series) · as Self
2015
2015
X-Men: Unguarded · as Self
2015
Red Nose Day · as Self
2015
2015
2015
2014
Variety: Actors on Actors (TV Series) · as Self
2014
2014
Good Morning Britain (TV Series) · as Self - Actor
2014
2014
Great Canal Journeys (TV Series) · as Self - Actor And Friend
2014
Late Night with Seth Meyers (TV Series) · as Self
2014
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
2013
2013
2013
2013
Portrait Artist of the Year (TV Series) · as Self - Sitter
2013
Muse of Fire · as Self
2013
The Broadway.Com Show (TV Series) · as Self
2012
Larry King Now (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
2012
Great West End Theatres (TV Series) · as Self - Actor
2012
Shakespeare Uncovered (TV Series) · as Self
2011
The Jonathan Ross Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
2011
2010
The Talk (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
2010
Alan Davies' Teenage Revolution (TV Series) · as Self
2010
The 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards · as Self - Nominee
2010
Sunday Morning Live (TV Series) · as Self - Interviewee
2010
2010
Sky Midnight News (TV Series) · as Self - Actor
2009
Talk Stoop (TV Series) · as Self
2009
Premio Donostia a Ian McKellen · as Self - Honoree
2009
Live from Studio Five (TV Series) · as Self
2009
The Project (2009) (TV Series) · as Self
2009
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
2009
Alan Carr: Chatty Man (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
2009
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
2009
2008
2007
Rufus! Rufus! Rufus! Does Judy! Judy! Judy! · as Self - Audience Member
2007
The Graham Norton Show (TV Series) · as Self
2007
Up Close with Carrie Keagan (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
2007
2007
2007
2006
2006
2006
2006
2006
2006
The ONE Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
2006
2006
2005
2005
The Colbert Report (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
2005
Made In Hollywood (TV Series) · as Self
2005
Sunday Morning (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
2005
2005
2005
Extras (TV Series) · as Ian Mckellen
2005
The Friday Night Project (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
2005
2005
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
2004
2004
Who Do You Think You Are? (TV Series) · as Self
2004
2004
2004
2004
The 76th Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Presenter
2004
2004
2004
Tavis Smiley (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
2003
2003
2003
Churchill (TV Series) · as Himself - Narrator (voice)
2003
Real Time with Bill Maher (TV Series) · as Self
2003
2003
Jimmy Kimmel Live! (TV Series) · as Self
2002
Cameras in Middle-Earth · as Self - Gandalf
2002
2002
2002
RI:SE (TV Series) · as Self
2002
2002
The 74th Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Nominee & Presenter
2002
2002
8th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards · as Self - Winner & Nominee
2002
2002
2002
2002
Last Call with Carson Daly (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
2001
2001
2001
2001
Richard & Judy (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
2001
Friday Night with Jonathan Ross (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
2001
Lorraine (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
2000
BBC Breakfast (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
2000
X-Men: The Mutant Watch · as Self - 'magneto'
2000
1999
Loose Women (TV Series) · as Self
1999
1999
After Stonewall · as Self
1999
The 71st Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Nominee
1999
1999
1997
1997
The View (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
1997
HARDtalk (TV Series) · as Self
1997
Light Lunch (TV Series) · as Self
1997
54th Golden Globe Awards · as Self - Winner
1996
1996
Theater Talk (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
1996
The Daily Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
1996
TFI Friday (TV Series) · as Self
1996
E! News Live (TV Series) · as Self
1994
Thin Ice · as Self
1994
1994
WGN Morning News (TV Series) · as Self
1994
Inside the Actors Studio (TV Series) · as Self
1994
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (TV Series) · as Self
1993
Late Night with Conan O'Brien (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
1993
Politically Incorrect (TV Series) · as Self
1992
Late Show with David Letterman (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
1992
Heroes of Comedy (TV Series) · as Self
1992
HBO First Look (TV Series) · as Self
1992
The 46th Annual Tony Awards · as Self - Presenter
1992
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
1991
Movie Days (TV Series) · as Self - Interviewee
1991
Charlie Rose (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
1990
Have I Got News for You (TV Series) · as Self
1989
1989
Troldspejlet (TV Series) · as Self
1989
Sky World News (TV Series) · as Self
1988
This Morning (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
1988
LIVE with Kelly and Mark (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
1984
Jeopardy! (TV Series) · as Self - Clue Giver
1982
Wogan (TV Series) · as Self
1981
40 Minutes (TV Series) · as Self
1981
Entertainment Tonight (TV Series) · as Self
1981
The 35th Annual Tony Awards · as Self - Winner
1980
Granada Reports (TV Series) · as Self
1979
SAG Foundation Conversations (TV Series) · as Self
1979
CBS Sunday Morning With Jane Pauley (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
1978
Blankety Blank (TV Series) · as Self
1978
The South Bank Show (TV Series) · as Self
1978
An Audience With (TV Series) · as Self
1976
Working in the Theatre (TV Series) · as Self
1975
Saturday Night Live (TV Series) · as Self - Host
1975
Arena (1975) (TV Series) · as Self
1973
Fantástico (TV Series) · as Self
1971
Film (TV Series) · as Self
1971
Parkinson (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
1969
Sesame Street (TV Series) · as Self
1967
Omnibus (1967) (TV Series) · as Self - Reading Poetry
1965
Call My Bluff (1996) (TV Series) · as Self
1962
1956
Tony Awards (TV Series) · as Self - Presenter
1955
This is Your Life (UK) (TV Series) · as Self
1953
Panorama (TV Series) · as Self
1953
The Academy Awards (TV Series) · as Self
1952
Today (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
1944
Golden Globe Awards (TV Series) · as Self - Winner

2024
Dagr · as Executive Producer
2018
The Isle · as Associate Producer
1995
Richard III · as Executive Producer

1995
Richard III · as Screenplay

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