Ian McKellen

Biography

Sir Ian Murray McKellen (born 25 May 1939) is an English actor. He has played roles on the screen and stage in genres ranging from Shakespearean dramas and modern theatre to popular fantasy and science fiction. He is regarded as a British cultural icon and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991. He has received numerous accolades, including a Tony Award, six Olivier Awards, and a Golden Globe ... show more

Known For

Acting

Popularity

4.0

Gender

Male

Place of Birth

Burnley, Lancashire, England, UK

Birthday

May 25, 1939

Known for

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

2001
8.4
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

2002
8.4
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

2003
8.5
The Da Vinci Code

The Da Vinci Code

2006
6.7
Gods and Monsters

Gods and Monsters

1998
6.9
The Golden Compass

The Golden Compass

2007
6.1
Stardust

Stardust

2007
7.3
Swept from the Sea

Swept from the Sea

1998
6.4
Jack & Sarah

Jack & Sarah

1995
6.7
And the Band Played On

And the Band Played On

1993
6.4
Six Degrees of Separation

Six Degrees of Separation

1993
6.4
Neverwas

Neverwas

2005
6.4
Richard III

Richard III

1995
6.7
Flushed Away

Flushed Away

2006
6.3
Ian McKellen on Stage: With Tolkien, Shakespeare, Others and YOU

Ian McKellen on Stage: With Tolkien, Shakespeare, Others and YOU

2020
6.0
The Scarlet Pimpernel

The Scarlet Pimpernel

1982
6.7
Doogal

Doogal

2006
4.9
Asylum

Asylum

2005
5.9
The Shadow

The Shadow

1994
6.1
Scandal

Scandal

1989
6.0
Apt Pupil

Apt Pupil

1998
6.5
Cold Comfort Farm

Cold Comfort Farm

1995
6.8
Last Action Hero

Last Action Hero

1993
6.5
The Keep

The Keep

1983
5.6
Macbeth

Macbeth

1979
7.3
Plenty

Plenty

1985
5.7
Hamlet Within

Hamlet Within

2022
0.0
Emile

Emile

2003
5.8
X-Men

X-Men

2000
7.0
X2

X2

2003
7.0
X-Men: The Last Stand

X-Men: The Last Stand

2006
6.4
The Trial and Torture of Sir John Rampayne

The Trial and Torture of Sir John Rampayne

1965
0.0
An Evening with Lily Savage

An Evening with Lily Savage

1996
0.0
King Lear

King Lear

2008
6.7
The Magic Roundabout

The Magic Roundabout

2004
5.4
Cirque du Soleil: Journey of Man

Cirque du Soleil: Journey of Man

2000
7.1
Rasputin

Rasputin

1996
6.5
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

2012
7.4
Priest of Love

Priest of Love

1981
4.8
Gladio

Gladio

1992
7.0
Bent

Bent

1997
6.8
The Ballad of Little Jo

The Ballad of Little Jo

1993
5.8
Alfred the Great

Alfred the Great

1969
4.3
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

2013
7.6
Walter

Walter

1982
5.2
Richard II

Richard II

...
0.0
Now You See Him: 'The Invisible Man' Revealed!

Now You See Him: 'The Invisible Man' Revealed!

2000
6.2
Saint of 9/11

Saint of 9/11

2006
5.7
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

2014
7.3
Schadenfreude

Schadenfreude

...
0.0
X-Men: Days of Future Past

X-Men: Days of Future Past

2014
7.5
London 2012: Paralympics Opening Ceremony

London 2012: Paralympics Opening Ceremony

2012
7.5
A Touch of Love

A Touch of Love

1969
6.3
Theatreland

Theatreland

2009
0.0
To Die For

To Die For

1994
2.0
Surviving Friendly Fire

Surviving Friendly Fire

1997
1.0
Walter and June

Walter and June

1983
7.0
Muse of Fire

Muse of Fire

2013
6.5
Every Good Boy Deserves Favour

Every Good Boy Deserves Favour

1979
0.0
A Bit Of Scarlet

A Bit Of Scarlet

1997
4.1
Ian McKellen: Acting Shakespeare

Ian McKellen: Acting Shakespeare

1982
0.0
The Critic

The Critic

2024
5.9
Larry & Vivien: The Oliviers in Love

Larry & Vivien: The Oliviers in Love

2001
0.0
Miss in Her Teens

Miss in Her Teens

2014
3.0
Zina

Zina

1985
5.4
Othello

Othello

1990
7.0
For the Love of God

For the Love of God

2007
4.0
The One Note Man

The One Note Man

2023
7.0
All the World's a Screen: Shakespeare on Film

All the World's a Screen: Shakespeare on Film

2016
0.0
Hamlet

Hamlet

2024
7.6
Mr. Holmes

Mr. Holmes

2015
6.5
Peter Tatchell: Just Who Does He Think He Is?

Peter Tatchell: Just Who Does He Think He Is?

2004
0.0
Armistead Maupin Is a Man I Dreamt Up

Armistead Maupin Is a Man I Dreamt Up

1993
0.0
Stonewall 25: Global Voices of Pride and Protest

Stonewall 25: Global Voices of Pride and Protest

1994
0.0
I'll Do Anything

I'll Do Anything

1994
5.5
The Wolverine

The Wolverine

2013
6.4
The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot

The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot

2013
7.8
Animal Crackers

Animal Crackers

2017
6.3
Hamlet

Hamlet

1970
0.0
The Hobart Shakespeareans

The Hobart Shakespeareans

2005
4.0
Untitled Anthony Hopkins Documentary

Untitled Anthony Hopkins Documentary

...
0.0
Quintessentially British

Quintessentially British

2022
3.8
Nelson Mandela Redrawn

Nelson Mandela Redrawn

2014
0.0
Looking for Lowry

Looking for Lowry

2011
0.0
Knights of Classic Drama at the BBC

Knights of Classic Drama at the BBC

2015
0.0
The Life and Death of Lily Savage

The Life and Death of Lily Savage

2024
7.0
The Dresser

The Dresser

2015
6.2
Doctor Who: The Snowmen

Doctor Who: The Snowmen

2012
7.7
Lady Grey London

Lady Grey London

2010
7.0
Beauty and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast

2017
7.0
Edward II

Edward II

1970
4.2
The Real Ken Dodd: The Man I Loved

The Real Ken Dodd: The Man I Loved

2024
0.0
Shakespeare Live! From the RSC

Shakespeare Live! From the RSC

2016
7.2
The Promise

The Promise

1969
0.0
A Filmmaker's Journey: Making 'The Return of the King'

A Filmmaker's Journey: Making 'The Return of the King'

2004
6.0
Beyond the Movie: The Return of the King

Beyond the Movie: The Return of the King

2003
8.1
Restoration

Restoration

1995
6.0
Hedda Gabler

Hedda Gabler

1972
0.0
Dragfox

Dragfox

2024
9.0
The Roof

The Roof

2016
6.3
Evolution X - The Making of X-Men

Evolution X - The Making of X-Men

2003
4.5
The Second Uncanny Issue of X-Men! Making 'X2'

The Second Uncanny Issue of X-Men! Making 'X2'

2003
7.0
The Art of Breaking Character

The Art of Breaking Character

2007
0.0
Judi Dench: All the World's Her Stage

Judi Dench: All the World's Her Stage

2016
7.8
National Theatre Live: No Man's Land

National Theatre Live: No Man's Land

2016
7.5
X-Men: Premieres Around the World

X-Men: Premieres Around the World

2003
5.9
Quest for the Ring

Quest for the Ring

2001
5.6
Passage to Middle-Earth: The Making of 'The Lord of the Rings'

Passage to Middle-Earth: The Making of 'The Lord of the Rings'

2001
7.8
A Lost and Found Box of Human Sensation

A Lost and Found Box of Human Sensation

2010
7.0
The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin

The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin

2017
6.3
The Good Liar

The Good Liar

2019
6.7
The Betty Driver Story

The Betty Driver Story

2011
10.0
The Paul O'Grady Story

The Paul O'Grady Story

2017
8.3
McKellen: Playing the Part

McKellen: Playing the Part

2018
7.2
Cats

Cats

2019
4.1
National Theatre Live: King Lear

National Theatre Live: King Lear

2018
8.2
Frodo Is Great... Who Is That?!!

Frodo Is Great... Who Is That?!!

2004
6.7
All Is True

All Is True

2018
6.0
David Macaulay: Roman City

David Macaulay: Roman City

1994
9.0
The Quest Fulfilled: A Director's Vision

The Quest Fulfilled: A Director's Vision

2003
6.2
Edmund the Magnificent

Edmund the Magnificent

2017
7.3
How a Kite Flies

How a Kite Flies

2017
0.0
Beyond the Movie: The Fellowship of the Ring

Beyond the Movie: The Fellowship of the Ring

2001
6.5
The World of Gods and Monsters: A Journey with James Whale

The World of Gods and Monsters: A Journey with James Whale

1999
6.0
The Egg Trick

The Egg Trick

2013
6.0
Hating Peter Tatchell

Hating Peter Tatchell

2021
3.7
Eighteen

Eighteen

2005
4.2
Small-Time Revolutionary

Small-Time Revolutionary

2010
3.0
Ringers: Lord of the Fans

Ringers: Lord of the Fans

2005
6.3
The Tragedy of King Richard II

The Tragedy of King Richard II

1970
0.0
Countdown to War

Countdown to War

1989
5.0
The Wolverine: Path of a Ronin

The Wolverine: Path of a Ronin

2013
6.9
Play the Devil: Making Richard III

Play the Devil: Making Richard III

2016
0.0
Shakespeare on Film

Shakespeare on Film

2016
6.0
Shakespeare on Stage, Screen and Elsewhere with Ian McKellen

Shakespeare on Stage, Screen and Elsewhere with Ian McKellen

2016
6.0
X-Men: The Mutant Watch

X-Men: The Mutant Watch

2000
7.0
Infinitum: Subject Unknown

Infinitum: Subject Unknown

2021
5.4
Du Fu: China's Greatest Poet

Du Fu: China's Greatest Poet

2020
10.0
On Broadway

On Broadway

2019
8.7
Scarfe's Follies

Scarfe's Follies

1988
0.0
Camp Christmas

Camp Christmas

1993
2.7
The Christophers

The Christophers

2025
0.0
The Making of 'The Two Towers'

The Making of 'The Two Towers'

2003
8.8
The Making of 'The Return of the King'

The Making of 'The Return of the King'

2004
8.8
Süleyman the Magnificent

Süleyman the Magnificent

1987
0.0
Freedom: 50 Years of Pride

Freedom: 50 Years of Pride

2022
8.0
Ken Dodd: A Legacy of Happiness

Ken Dodd: A Legacy of Happiness

2025
0.0
Avengers: Doomsday

Avengers: Doomsday

2026
0.0
Dragged Through Time

Dragged Through Time

2025
0.0
After Stonewall

After Stonewall

1999
5.4
No Man's Land

No Man's Land

...
0.0
Dying Day

Dying Day

1980
0.0
A World War II Fairy Tale: The Making of Michael Mann's 'The Keep'

A World War II Fairy Tale: The Making of Michael Mann's 'The Keep'

2025
0.0
Guerrilla Distribution

Guerrilla Distribution

2007
0.0
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum

2027
0.0
Graceless Go I

Graceless Go I

1974
0.0
My First Time

My First Time

2004
2.0
Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol

Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol

2026
0.0
Frank and Percy

Frank and Percy

...
0.0
Inside the Actors Studio

Inside the Actors Studio

1994
7.5
The Simpsons

The Simpsons

1989
8.0
Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

2003
5.5
The One Show

The One Show

2006
4.4
The View

The View

1997
4.3
Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway

Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway

2002
6.1
The Paul O'Grady Show

The Paul O'Grady Show

2004
4.6
Armchair Thriller

Armchair Thriller

1978
4.2
BBC Play of the Month

BBC Play of the Month

1965
5.0
The Oscars

The Oscars

1953
7.0
Churchill

Churchill

2003
7.0
Country Matters

Country Matters

1972
3.3
Vicious

Vicious

2013
7.5
Who Do You Think You Are?

Who Do You Think You Are?

2004
6.7
Extras

Extras

2005
7.8
Saturday Night Live

Saturday Night Live

1975
7.0
An Audience with...

An Audience with...

1978
5.3
Great British Theatre

Great British Theatre

2021
0.0
David Copperfield

David Copperfield

1999
7.1
Windmills of the Gods

Windmills of the Gods

1988
5.8
Playing Shakespeare

Playing Shakespeare

1984
10.0
Sesame Street

Sesame Street

1969
7.1
Trailblazer Honors

Trailblazer Honors

2014
7.5
ted

ted

2024
7.9
Late Night with Seth Meyers

Late Night with Seth Meyers

2014
5.3
The Graham Norton Show

The Graham Norton Show

2007
7.2
The Prisoner

The Prisoner

2009
5.7
Tales of the City

Tales of the City

1993
7.7
The Graham Norton Show

The Graham Norton Show

2007
7.2
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

2009
5.1
Family Guy

Family Guy

1999
7.4
Real Time with Bill Maher

Real Time with Bill Maher

2003
6.0
Reunited Apart

Reunited Apart

2020
5.5
Coronation Street

Coronation Street

1960
5.3
Perspectives

Perspectives

2011
0.0
Pillar of Fire

Pillar of Fire

1981
9.5
Parkinson

Parkinson

1998
0.0
Have I Got News for You

Have I Got News for You

1990
7.1
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors

Variety Studio: Actors on Actors

2014
4.6
Golden Globe Awards

Golden Globe Awards

1944
7.2
Billy & Dom Eat the World

Billy & Dom Eat the World

2025
8.0
Omnibus

Omnibus

1967
7.2
Tony Awards

Tony Awards

1956
5.9
Playhouse

Playhouse

1974
7.0
BBC Play of the Month

BBC Play of the Month

1965
5.0
BBC Play of the Month

BBC Play of the Month

1965
5.0
BBC Play of the Month

BBC Play of the Month

1965
5.0
Tony Awards

Tony Awards

1956
5.9
David Copperfield

David Copperfield

1966
5.0
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

1994
0.0
The Wednesday Play

The Wednesday Play

1964
4.5
Golden Globe Awards

Golden Globe Awards

1944
7.2

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