Join or Sign In

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Ian McKellen Biography

Birth Name:Ian Murry McKellen

Birth Place:Burnley, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom

Profession Actor, Soundtrack, Producer, Writer

Fast Facts

Awarded with Freedom of the City of London in 2014
Co-founded the lobby group Stonewall in 1989
Was knighted in 1991 for his services to the performing arts
In 2010, he appeared in a series of ads in support of the Age UK organization to bring awareness to the plight of elderly people
Participated in the charity cricket match as an umpire to support victims of the Christchurch earthquake in 2011
The Universal Life Church ordained him as a minister in 2013
Received an honorary doctorate degree from Cambridge University in 2014
Received honorary doctorate degrees from the University of Bath, Lancaster University and the University of Ulster
Graduated from St․ Catherine's College in 1958
Became interested in acting at an early age when his parents took him to see a theater production of "Peter Pan․"
Made his West End debut with his role in "A Scent of Flowers" in 1964
Quote: "Acting is no longer about lying․ It's now about revealing the truth․ Honesty is the best policy․"
Frequently portrays characters who are in a position of power
Known for his roles in the "Lord of the Rings" franchise and the "X-Men" franchise
Was appointed to the board of the Royal National Theatre Company in 1998
Along with the rest of the original nine companions from the franchise "Fellowship of the Ring," he has an Elvish number '9' tattoo
His recommendation for knighthood was one of the last things Margaret Thatcher did as Prime Minister of Great Britain
Was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company alongside his "X-Men" co-star Patrick Stewart

Awards

1983RTS Television Award-Best Performance: winner
1994Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special: nominated
1995CableACE-Supporting Actor in a Movie or Miniseries: winner
1996Chlotrudis Award-Best Actor: nominated
1996European Film Award-European Actor of the Year: winner
1996Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
1996Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special: nominated
1997BAFTA Film Award-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1997BAFTA Film Award-Best Screenplay - Adapted: nominated
1997Evening Standard British Film Award-Best Film: winner
1997Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
1997ALFS Award-British Actor of the Year: winner
1997Golden Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
1997Golden Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical: nominated
1998ACCA-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1998KCFCC Award-Best Actor: winner
1998LAFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
1998NBR Award-Best Actor: winner
1998NYFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
1998SDFCS Award-Best Actor: winner
1998Silver Seashell-Best Actor: winner
1998TFCA Award-Best Performance, Male: winner
1999Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1999Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
1999Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1999British Independent Film Award-Best Actor: winner
1999CFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
1999Chlotrudis Award-Best Actor: winner
1999Critics Choice Award-Best Actor: winner
1999Chainsaw Award-Best Actor: nominated
1999Independent Spirit Award-Best Male Lead: winner
1999FFCC Award-Best Actor: winner
1999Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
1999NSFC Award-Best Actor: nominated
1999OFTA Film Award-Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror Actor: winner
1999OFTA Film Award-Best Drama Actor: winner
1999OFTA Film Award-Best Actor: winner
1999OFCS Award-Best Actor: winner
1999Golden Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama: nominated
1999SEFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2000Audience Award-Best Foreign Actor (Melhor Ator Estrangeiro): winner
2000Critics Award-Best Foreign Actor (Melhor Ator Estrangeiro): winner
2001ACCA-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
2001ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: winner
2001Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Villain (Internet Only): nominated
2001Golden Schmoes-Best Supporting Actor of the Year: winner
2001TFCA Award-Best Supporting Performance, Male: nominated
2002Oscar-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2002Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2002Actor-Outstanding Performance by the Cast of a Theatrical Motion Picture: nominated
2002Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
2002ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
2002BAFTA Film Award-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2002Empire Award-Best British Actor: nominated
2002MTV Movie Award-Best Fight: nominated
2002OFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2002OFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2002PFCS Award-Best Acting Ensemble: winner
2002Golden Satellite Award-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, Drama: nominated
2003Actor-Outstanding Performance by the Cast of a Theatrical Motion Picture: nominated
2003ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: winner
2003DVD Premiere Award-Best Audio Commentary, New Release: nominated
2003Empire Award-Best British Actor: nominated
2003Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
2003NBR Award-Best Acting by an Ensemble: winner
2003OFCS Award-Best Ensemble: winner
2003PFCS Award-Best Acting Ensemble: winner
2003SFX Award-Best SF or Fantasy Film Actor: nominated
2003Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Villain: nominated
2004Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2004Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: winner
2004BAFTA Film Award-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2004Critics Choice Award-Best Acting Ensemble: winner
2004Empire Award-Best British Actor: nominated
2004Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: winner
2004PFCS Award-Best Ensemble Acting: nominated
2005Genie-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2006Scream Award-Most Vile Villain: nominated
2006Teen Choice Award-Movies - Choice Sleazebag: nominated
2007Annie-Best Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production: winner
2007Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Guest Actor: winner
2007Audience Award-Best International Actor: nominated
2007OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2007Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2009Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Actor: nominated
2009INOCA TV-Best Performance in a Miniseries or TV Movie: nominated
2009OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: winner
2009Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
2009Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2010Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Actor of the Decade: nominated
2010Gold Derby Film Award-Supporting Actor of the Decade: nominated
2010Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Guest Actor of the Decade: nominated
2010Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Actor: nominated
2010Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
2013Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2014CinEuphoria-Best Ensemble - International Competition: nominated
2015OFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2015SFFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2015Golden Space Needle Award-Best Actor: nominated
2015SLFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2016Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actor: nominated
2016BAFTA TV Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2016Días de Cine Award-Best Foreign Actor: nominated
2016NCFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2016OFTA Film Award-Best Actor: nominated
2019Movies for Grownups Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2020Queerty-Film Performance: nominated
2025OFTA Film Hall of Fame-Character: winner