The famous British theater and film actor Ian McKellen became famous for his performance in Shakespearean productions. But the real popularity was brought to him by multi-budget projects such as "The Lord of the Rings" and "X-Men".
Biography and acting career
Ian Murray McKellen was born in the UK in 1939. Burnley became his hometown, but he spent most of his childhood in the small town of Wigan. In the year of his birth, World War II began, so childhood fears and horrors tempered McKellen's character and allowed him to look more soberly and calmly at all life's difficulties in the future.
He became the second child in a religious family, which, however, was not distinguished by fanaticism. Unfortunately, Ian's mother died when he was 12 years old, and a new woman appeared in his father's life. The stepmother was a member of a religious sect that promotes the possibility of any kind of marriage, which, according to the actor, had a positive effect on his psyche, because she supported his recognition as a gay.
Ian McKellen chose the profession of an actor in his early childhood. While still in school, the future actor performed in non-professional school scenes, and 20 years later he already performed at the Royal Shakespeare Theater. He played in almost all productions of the great playwright. In parallel, he starred in TV shows and films. In 1969 he first got the main role in a big movie - in the film "A Touch of Love".
In the early 2000s, Ian McKellen was already a successful and famous actor, but the first two years of this century gave him a completely new level of fame. In 2001, the actor was invited to play the role of Magneto in the film adaptation of the Marvel comics "X-Men". A year later, he got a new cult role in the Lord of the Rings saga, which he gladly accepted. Long-bearded wizard Gandalf became the object of admiration of many millions of fans. He starred in all 3 parts of the film, and then - in all parts of the trilogy about the backstory of "The Lord of the Rings" - "The Hobbit".
In total, the 79-year-old actor has more than 110 projects, and he is not going to stop there.
Personal life
Ian McKelen is from gender minorities. In 1988, he came out in an interview with the BBC. This did not hinder either his acting career or receiving the title of knight two years later. He never regretted recognition. In addition, he argued that such an act should have been done much earlier, because it allowed him to feel more comfortable and develop his acting talent.
McKellen is an active defender of the rights of LGBT people, supports their parades and comes into conflict with opponents of this movement. In 2014, he wrote a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin asking him to review laws related to the promotion of homosexuality. About 30 Nobel laureates have signed up to this call. He received no official answer. The actor has repeatedly refused to perform at various events and festivals in Russia, since Russian law does not allow him to openly express his opinion.
The actor met and lived with theater director Sean Mathias for 10 years, but the partners broke up. Currently, the famous British actor does not have a life partner and children, and he tries not to talk about his relationship so as not to offend the interests of other people.
