Times have been busy for Ian McKellen in the last few weeks. Whenever possible, the English actor never seizes to help others when not occupied with work. Middle-earth News decided to do another news round-up for the busy actor.
Sir Ian McKellen calls for a living wage for actors
Ever since his involvement in blockbusters such as X-Men, The Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit, Sir Ian enjoys a life free of financial concerns. However, that is not the case for most actors whether in the US, UK or anywhere else. In fact, many actors struggle to make a living with what they love. A recent study has revealed that just one actor in 50 earned more than £20,000 a year (approx. $33,000 US). Now Sir Ian calls for a living wage for actors:
Most actors are not rich – they are very poor indeed. What keeps them going is that they just love the job … I know actors who have had to turn down good roles because they just don’t pay enough. It’s hard. The one thing you can ask, I think, is that actors get paid a living wage. I would like it if all the repertory theatres that currently exist could do that. It would make a huge difference.
In London, the living wage stands at £8.80 an hour.
Sir Ian McKellen invites you to party for the Albert Kennedy Trust
Sir Ian has recorded a video to encourage people to support the UK’s Albert Kennedy Trust. Set up in 1989, the Albert Kennedy Trust supports homeless LGBT youth after 16 year old Albert fell to his death from a multi-story car park in Manchester in what is widely regarded as a homophobic hate crime. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the trust. Various events and fundraising initiatives are planned such as the AKT Party week from 22-28 September www.aktparty.com .
For more informations on how to support the trust, go to www.akt.org.uk.
Ian McKellen stepped in to help a man propose to his Star Trek-fan boyfriend
It is said that love makes the world go round. Documentary filmmaker Brett Lotriet Best searched the galaxy for love and after he found it, he received help from Sir Ian for his proposal to his boyfriend. Best’s initial idea was to enlist Sir Patrick Stewart since Best’s boyfriend, and now fiancé, Khalid Shawwa is a huge fan of Star Trek and Patrick Stewart. Sir Patrick was, unfortunately, not available. Instead, Sir Ian was available and was eager to help. Together, Best and McKellen created a sweet video proposal:
Gandalf versus a Seagull
By now, everyone knows what an amazing human being Sir Ian is. Always eager to help and to speak up for good causes. Now, he proved that he has a great sense of humour too! Last week, Sir Ian posted on his Instagram account a picture of him and a Seagull with the description “Fly, you fool!”. This humorous ‘recreation’ of the famous Balrog scene now raises the question who might be stronger, a Seagull or a Balrog? While I’ve never met a Balrog before, I certainly don’t want to mess with a Seagull!
