Sir Ian McKellen is 73 today!
This much-loved actor’s name is now synonymous with that of Gandalf, having played the wizard in the Lord of the Rings film trilogy and again in the much anticipated movie The Hobbit. He has said of the tale,
“The Lord of the Rings” is a mythology, it is a fairy tale, it’s an adventure story. It never happened. Except somewhere in our hearts.”
Sir Ian’s movie career came to him later in life when, after a succession of small roles in films, he played Richard III in the acclaimed 1995 film. In 2000 his role as Magneto in The X-Men brought him world-wide fame. Whilst filming The X-Men he was cast by Peter Jackson in The Lord of the Rings.
McKellen was born in Burnley in Lancashire. His love of acting began in his childhood when he performed in school plays and continued through his student years at Cambridge. For most of his career he has worked in the theatre, spending many years with the Royal Shakespeare Company. In 1990 he was knighted for his services to drama.
Sir Ian is well known as a gay rights activist co-founding the charity Stonewall. He has said,
“My confidence only really peaked when I was 49 and said, “Yes, I’m gay.”
Sir Ian continues to use his fame to help raise money for worthy causes. He is currently spending his free time performing his one-man show to audiences throughout New Zealand to raise money to restore the quake damaged Isaac Theatre Royal in Christchurch.
May I wish Sir Ian a very happy birthday on behalf of all the team at Middle-earth Network.
Photograph Wikimedia Commons
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