History Creator / IanMcKellen

Sir Ian Murray [=McKellen=] [[UsefulNotes/KnightFever CBE]] (born 25 May 1939 in Burnley, England) is a [[ShakespearianActors Shakespearean actor]], widely known for his roles as Gandalf in ''Film/TheLordOfTheRings'' trilogy and ''Film/TheHobbit'', ''and'' Magneto in the ''Film/XMenFilmSeries'', as well as the title character in his 1995 SettingUpdate adaptation of Shakespeare's ''Film/RichardIII''. He also lent his voice to [[Film/TheGoldenCompass a certain polar bear]], and the Great Intelligence in the 2012 ''Series/DoctorWho'' ChristmasSpecial. He starred with Creator/DerekJacobi in a series called ''Series/{{Vicious}}'', a gay DomCom about [[GrowOldWithMe a long-partnered male couple]].

* EnforcedMethodActing: He hosted ''Series/SaturdayNightLive,'' and in one sketch played Dame Creator/MaggieSmith, being interviewed on Weekend Update. At one point he asked Jimmy Fallon, "Kiss for luck?" Fallon leaned over, clearly expecting a peck on the cheek. Ian grabbed him and gave him an open-mouthed smooch right on the lips, leaving Fallon visibly stunned.

* MetaCasting: In ''Film/GodsAndMonsters'', he played James Whale, the director of ''Film/{{Frankenstein|1931}}'' and ''Film/BrideOfFrankenstein'', who was [[QueerCharacterQueerActor homosexual]] like [=McKellen=].

* MetaCasting: In ''Film/GodsAndMonsters'', he played James Whale, the director of ''Film/{{Frankenstein|1931}}'' and ''Film/BrideOfFrankenstein'', who was homosexual like [=McKellen=].

He's also openly gay and an ardent supporter of gay rights. He came out to the public in a BBC radio interview when the British government was in the process of passing [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Section_28 Section 28]], a law that effectively prohibited schools from even mentioning homosexuality in any sort of context to students (it was in force from 1988 to 2003). He notes that, although he'd been out to family, friends, and coworkers, coming out to the general public was such a liberating experience that he gained access to a new level of emotion and he could add more depth to his acting.

* LargeHam: Like any self-respecting legend of the stage, he can ''really'' bring the ham when called upon.

--> [[https://www.twitter.com/IanMcKellen/status/823978367590416384 ‘I get mistaken for Sir Michael Gambon’]]...

* BadassBaritone: He possesses an absolutely magnificent voice that is instantly recognizable and fits his characters perfectly.

* EnforcedMethodActing: He hosted ''Series/SaturdayNightLive,'' and in one sketch played Dame Maggie Smith, being interviewed on Weekend Update. At one point he asked Jimmy Fallon, "Kiss for luck?" Fallon leaned over, clearly expecting a peck on the cheek. Ian grabbed him and gave him an open-mouthed smooch right on the lips, leaving Fallon visibly stunned.

* 2012 ''Series/DoctorWho'' as The Great Intelligence

* EnforcedMethodActing: He hosted ''Series/SaturdayNightLive,'' and in one sketch played Dame Maggie Smith, being interviewed on Weekend Update. At one point he asked Jimmy Fallon, "Kiss for luck?" Fallon leaned over, clearly expecting a peck on the cheek. Ian grabbed him and gave him an open-mouthed smooch right on the lips, leaving Fallon visibly stunned. It was ''hilarious.''
* IAmNotSpock: Completely averted. He makes no secret that he loved playing the role of Gandalf and will happily do impressions of the character for fans or interviews. See RunningGag.
* LargeHam: Just check him [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhEL0ioJwKQ#t=1m58s giving instructions on]] [[MundaneMadeAwesome changing a flat tire]].

* StraightGay: While he has been openly gay for over forty years as of this writing, he isn't exactly CampGay, so he fits this category.

Sir Ian Murray [=McKellen=] [[UsefulNotes/KnightFever CBE]] (born May 25, 1939 in Burnley, England) is a [[ShakespearianActors Shakespearean actor]], widely known for his roles as Gandalf in ''Film/TheLordOfTheRings'' trilogy and ''Film/TheHobbit'', ''and'' Magneto in the ''Film/XMenFilmSeries'', as well as the title character in his 1995 SettingUpdate adaptation of Shakespeare's ''Film/RichardIII''. He also lent his voice to [[Film/TheGoldenCompass a certain polar bear]], and the Great Intelligence in the 2012 ''Series/DoctorWho'' ChristmasSpecial. He starred with Creator/DerekJacobi in a series called ''Series/{{Vicious}}'', a gay DomCom about [[GrowOldWithMe a long-partnered male couple]].

* 2021 ''WesternAnimation/{{Hotel Transylvania}} 4'' as Brian

* 2021 ''Film/{{Hotel Transylvania}} 4'' as Brian

Sir Ian Murray [=McKellen=] [[UsefulNotes/KnightFever CBE]] (born May 25, 1939) is a [[ShakespearianActors Shakespearean actor]], widely known for his roles as Gandalf in ''Film/TheLordOfTheRings'' trilogy and ''Film/TheHobbit'', ''and'' Magneto in the ''Film/XMenFilmSeries'', as well as the title character in his 1995 SettingUpdate adaptation of Shakespeare's ''Film/RichardIII''. He also lent his voice to [[Film/TheGoldenCompass a certain polar bear]], and the Great Intelligence in the 2012 ''Series/DoctorWho'' ChristmasSpecial. He starred with Creator/DerekJacobi in a series called ''Series/{{Vicious}}'', a gay DomCom about [[GrowOldWithMe a long-partnered male couple]].

He's also openly gay and an ardent supporter of gay rights. He came out to the public in a BBC radio interview when the British government was in the process of passing [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Section_28 Section 28]], a law that effectively prohibited schools from even mentioning homosexuality in any sort of context to students (it was in force from 1988 to 2003). He notes that, although he'd been out to family, friends, and coworkers, coming out to the general public was such a liberating experience that he gained access to a new level of emotion and he could hadd more depth to his acting.