Inside This Article:
Who is Ian McKellen?
Ian McKellen is an English actor. He was born on May 25, 1939, in Burnley, Lancashire, England. Ian is born to Dennis Murray McKellen, and Margery Lois, with the birth of the sign Gemini. He holds the British nationality, and as per ethnicity, belongs to Irish. With the height of 5 feet 11 inches, and weight about 69 kg, he has been able to maintain his body fit and healthy.
| Quick Info | |
|---|---|
| Celebrated Name | Ian McKellen |
| Profession | Actor |
| Birth Date | May 25, 1939 |
| Birth Place | Burnley, Lancashire, England |
| Star Sign | Gemini |
| Parents | Father: Dennis Murray McKellen Mother: Margery Lois |
| Nationality | British |
| Ethnicity | Irish |
| Height | 5 feet 11 inches |
| Weight | 69 kg |
| Sexual Orientation | Gay |
| Net Worth | $55 million |
Early Life
Ian grew up with an older sister, Jean. During the Second World War in September 1939, they just moved to Wigan and suffered from the war. Later, they moved to Bolton.
For his education, Ian changed many schools. Firstly, he attended to the Disconson Street Wesleyan Primary School. Later, he enrolled in the Wigan Grammar School for Boys. Then, he attended the Bolton School. During his high school, he enrolled in the Bolton Little Theatre. The theatre has changed its name to Patron. Moreover, his father knew his interest and they encouraged him to watch Peter Pan at the Opera House.
Eventually, after graduating high school, he went to St. Catharine’s College, Cambridge. There, he graduated with English literature. Besides, he also became an active in-house Theatre and acted in plays.
Ian McKellen Career
Ian started his professional career in 1961 appearing in “A Man for All Seasons” as a role of Roperin the Nottingham Playhouse. His play impressed many people and he regularly appeared on the screens. In 1964, he appeared in “A Scent of Flowers” for the first time as a West end in the regional repertory theatres. Moreover, the play became it and gained good critics.
Eventually, in 1965, he became a member of Laurence Olivier’s National Theatre Company, located in Old Vic. His membership gained him to play at the Chichester Festival. It had the productions from the classics to the contemporary musicals and the writings. Then, from 1970, he was able to be a renowned figure in the British theatre. For about two decades from then the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal National Theatre. Subsequently, in numerous plays, he played the leading roles.
Ian played in “Six Degrees of Separation” as a role of South African tycoon, in 1993. In the next year, he played in the television movie “And the Band Played On”. The movie was about AIDS, which made him receive an Emmy nomination. Likewise, in 1998, he featured in the film “Gods and Monsters”. Subsequently, he played in the film “X-Men” which was based on the comic book “Magneto”. Furthermore, he also played in the sequels, “X2: X-Men United”, and “X-Men: The Last Stand”. Ian played in the movie Beauty and the Beast alongside Dan Stevens, Emma Watson, Luke Evans, Kevin Kline, Josh Gad, Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci, Audra McDonald, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Emma Thompson. He also appeared in the movie The Good Liar produced by Bill Condon.
Ian McKellen also featured in the three series movie, “The Lord of the Rings”, as the role of Wizard Gandalf. In 2005, he got an opportunity for his life long ambition to be in a soap opera. He played in”Coronation Street”. In 2009, he featured in “Waiting for Godot”.
Personal Life
Ian McKellen is open about him to be gay. Previously, he dated with his boyfriend Brian Taylor in 1964. Later, after eight years, they ended the relationship. Then, in 1978, he was in a relationship with Sean Mathias which also ended after ten years.
Net Worth
Ian McKellen has been able to earn a huge amount of money along with earning name and fame. His net worth is estimated to be about $55 million as of 2020.