The Magnetic Maestro: 15 Fascinating Facts About Ian McKellen

1. He Experienced the Blitz from Under a Steel Table

Born on May 25, 1939, in Burnley, England, Ian McKellen's earliest memories were shaped by the outbreak of the Second World War. To protect him from the devastating nocturnal bombing raids of the Blitz, his parents acquired a Morrison shelter, which essentially functioned as a heavy steel table. Young Ian would sleep securely underneath this metal cage in their home, shielded from potential collapsing debris. He later reflected that living through such a tense, dramatic era as a young child fostered his vivid imagination. This early resilience laid the groundwork for the emotional depth he would later bring to the stage.

2. He Originated the Role of Salieri on Broadway

Long before F. Murray Abraham won an Oscar for playing Antonio Salieri in the 1984 film adaptation of Amadeus, Ian McKellen originated the role on Broadway. In 1980, McKellen stunned audiences with his mesmerizing, complex portrayal of the jealous composer locked in a bitter rivalry with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. His riveting performance was universally acclaimed, resulting in a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play in 1981. This monumental win helped establish McKellen as a transatlantic theatrical powerhouse. Broadway embraced him completely, proving his talent could easily bridge the gap between classical British theatre and modern American stages.

3. His Groundbreaking Coming Out on Live Radio

In 1988, at the age of 49, McKellen publicly came out as gay during a live broadcast on BBC Radio 3. He made the courageous decision while debating Section 28, a controversial British law aiming to prohibit the "promotion" of homosexuality by local authorities. By coming out on national radio, he instantly became one of the most prominent openly gay actors in the world. Rather than damaging his career, as some feared at the time, his honesty energized a movement for equality and dignity. Shortly after, he helped found Stonewall UK, a charity that has since become the largest LGBTQ+ rights organization in Europe.

4. He Famously Tears Pages Out of Hotel Bibles

McKellen's activism often extends to small, personal acts of rebellion as he travels the world for his acting projects. Whenever he checks into a hotel room, he famously searches for the bedside Gideon Bible. If he finds one, he purposefully locates Leviticus 18:22, a verse historically used to condemn homosexuality, and tears the page out. He has openly admitted to this habit in interviews, stating he simply removes the pages he fundamentally disagrees with. It is a quiet, ongoing protest from a man who has spent decades fiercely fighting against systemic prejudice.

5. He Was Not the First Choice for Gandalf

It is almost impossible to imagine anyone else bringing Gandalf to life in The Lord of the Rings, but McKellen was not the studio's initial choice. The legendary role was originally offered to Sean Connery, who famously turned down a massive payday because he admittedly "didn't understand the script." When the wizard's staff eventually passed to McKellen, he threw himself into the lore, keeping a copy of J.R.R. Tolkien's novel on his lap during filming. He actually based Gandalf's distinct, raspy speaking voice on recordings of Tolkien himself reciting the text. This dedication yielded an unforgettable, Oscar-nominated performance that cemented him in pop culture history.

6. His Connection to Magneto Was Rooted in Civil Rights

When director Bryan Singer approached McKellen for the role of Magneto in 2000's X-Men, he pitched the mutant conflict as a direct allegory for the civil rights movement. Singer explained that mutants were outcasts despised by society for the way they were born, drawing parallels to the discrimination faced by the LGBTQ+ community. This thematic depth instantly resonated with McKellen's own experiences as an activist. He leaned into the philosophy of Magneto being a Malcolm X figure opposite Professor X's Martin Luther King Jr. approach. His layered performance elevated the superhero genre, proving comic book movies could tackle profound societal issues.

7. He Was a True Pioneer of Celebrity Blogging

Long before social media platforms like X or Instagram existed, McKellen was creatively engaging with his fans on the early internet. In 1999, as he traveled to New Zealand to shoot The Lord of the Rings, he launched "The E-Post" on his personal website. He published regular, detailed diary entries chronicling his experiences on set, offering fans an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at the massive production. This move made him one of the very first major actors to maintain a personal blog. His digital foresight endeared him to a massive online community years before celebrity internet culture became the norm.

8. He Co-Owns a Historic London Pub

While the actor is known to champion healthy habits and a largely pescetarian diet, he still enjoys traditional British pub culture. In fact, McKellen is the co-owner of The Grapes, a historic public house located on the River Thames in Limehouse, London. The pub dates back to 1583 and was famously frequented by legendary author Charles Dickens, who even referenced it in his novel Our Mutual Friend. McKellen occasionally drops in to host quiz nights or mingle with the locals. Patrons can even spot a real prop of Gandalf's staff proudly displayed behind the bar.

9. A Lifelong Dream Was Realized on Coronation Street

Despite his massive Hollywood success and theatrical pedigree, one of McKellen's greatest ambitions was to appear on the long-running British soap opera Coronation Street. A lifelong fan of the show, his dream finally came true in 2005 when he was cast as the charming but devious conman Mel Hutchwright. He appeared in ten episodes, fully immersing himself in the soapy drama of the fictional town of Weatherfield. McKellen described the experience as incredibly daunting, noting that the fast-paced television production schedule was completely different from a standard film set. Regardless, his memorable stint remains a beloved piece of British television trivia.

10. His Legendary Friendship with Patrick Stewart Blossomed Late

Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart share one of the most beloved bromances in Hollywood, but their close bond actually formed much later in life. Although both were members of the Royal Shakespeare Company in the 1970s, they barely interacted, primarily because Stewart was deeply intimidated by McKellen's theatrical reputation. It wasn't until they were stuck together in adjacent trailers on the set of X-Men in 2000 that they truly connected. Sharing a love for Earl Grey tea, Shakespeare, and theatre gossip, they became inseparable. This bond eventually led to legendary joint theatrical productions, including their critically acclaimed run of Waiting for Godot.

11. He Officiated Patrick Stewart's Wedding

The friendship between the two legendary actors runs so deep that McKellen played a very special role in Stewart's personal life. When Stewart married jazz singer Sunny Ozell in 2013, he asked McKellen to officiate the ceremony. To do so legally, McKellen became an ordained minister through the Universal Life Church. He took the responsibility very seriously, wearing a sharply tailored suit and bringing his trademark gravitas to the heartfelt ceremony. He later joked on British television that the gig was a "one-time offer," playfully adding to the immense charm of their public friendship.

12. He Shares a Secret Tattoo with the Fellowship

The grueling, multi-year production of Peter Jackson's fantasy epic forged an unbreakable bond among the actors playing the Fellowship of the Ring. To commemorate their journey, eight of the nine actors—including McKellen—decided to get matching tattoos. They all got the Elvish word for "nine" inked on various parts of their bodies in Tengwar script. McKellen chose to have his placed on his right shoulder. Only John Rhys-Davies (Gimli) declined, famously sending his stunt double to get tattooed in his place, making McKellen's permanent mark a true symbol of his commitment to his castmates.

13. A Pescetarian Who Lost a Unique Beauty Pageant

McKellen has maintained a pescetarian diet for many years, actively avoiding meat for health and ethical reasons, though he continues to eat fish. Because of this dietary choice, he was once jokingly nominated for PETA's "World's Sexiest Vegetarian" title. Unfortunately for the revered actor, he narrowly missed out on the top spot, losing to other younger celebrities. McKellen has playfully recounted this loss in interviews, humorously lamenting that he was robbed of his rightful crown. Despite missing out on the quirky accolade, his commitment to healthy, mindful eating remains steadfast as he continues working well into his eighties.

14. He Hijacked a George Ezra Music Video

In 2014, McKellen reached a whole new demographic by starring in the music video for George Ezra's hit song, "Listen to the Man." The video's hilarious premise features McKellen repeatedly upstaging and interrupting Ezra, lip-syncing the lyrics, and stealing the spotlight with undeniable theatrical flair. Ezra later revealed that McKellen was simply supposed to have a small cameo, but the actor's natural charisma completely took over the shoot. The resulting video is a delightful masterclass in comedic timing, showcasing McKellen's ability to seamlessly cross over into modern pop culture.

15. He Holds Both a Knighthood and a Companion of Honour

Recognizing his unparalleled contributions to the performing arts, Queen Elizabeth II knighted Ian McKellen in 1991, officially making him Sir Ian. However, his royal accolades did not stop there. In 2008, he was appointed a Companion of Honour, a highly prestigious award restricted to the reigning monarch and a maximum of 65 living members at any one time. This secondary honor specifically recognized his tireless services to drama and his fierce advocacy for equality. Crucially, McKellen has always refused to let these establishment honors temper his radical activism, proving that true nobility lies in fighting for those who are marginalized.