There is no denying that Ian McKellen is an icon, a talent for the ages, and a man with seemingly unlimited charm. The English actor may be best known to millennials as the first actor to take on the mantle of Erik ‘Magneto’ Lehnsherr in the X-Men franchise films.
Prior to taking on comic books movies, Ian McKellen was known for his work in the theatre for which he has won a Tony Award, a British Independent Film award, six Laurence Olivier Awards, two Critics’ Choice Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award, four Drama Desk Awards, and two Saturn Awards. The actor is regarded as one of the greatest British actors of all time.
He has also received five Emmy Award nominations, four BAFTA nominations, and two Oscar nominations.
Considering he has received every major British theatre award and has been nominated for some of the biggest awards in entertainment, he is considered a British cultural icon of reputable standing. And frankly, there’s no one more deserving.
Beyond being a cultural icon, Ian McKellan is also a gay icon, having lived openly as a gay man since 1988, paving the way for other gay entertainers who were still in the closet. To this day, he continues to champion LGBT social movements the world over.
In 2014, he was made a Freeman of the City of London, which is an honor typically given to a valued member of the community.
Ian McKellen: Personal Life
Ian McKellen was notably in a relationship with Brian Taylor from 1964 to 1972. Brian was a history teacher from Bolton, and the couple lived in London so Ian could pursue his career as an actor. The two were together eight years before their relationship ended.
In 1978, Ian met and began dating Sean Mathias – a Welsh-born actor, writer, and director. The two were together till 1988 before deciding to call it quits on their relationship. However, Sean and Ian remain good friends to this day and are even business partners.
Ian McKellen is also an atheist, however, he got ordained by the Universal Life Church in order to preside over the wedding of his best friend – Patrick Stewart to Sunny Ozell, an American musician.
Who Is His Husband?
Currently, Ian McKellen is not in any relationship, he has no boyfriend or husband. The actor has chosen instead to focus on his craft and his career. And we’ve got to say, it’s working for him, seeing as he currently has numerous film and television roles on this plate right now.
Ian McKellen: Relationship With Patrick Stewart
Many have tried to figure out the nature of Ian McKellen’s relationship with Patrick Stewart, even going as far as speculating that the two are in a relationship (even though Patrick Stewart is married to a female musician). However, the answer to the nature of their relationship is simple – the two men are best friends.
The duo first met at the Royal Shakespeare Company when they appeared in a play, Every Good Boy Deserves Favor, together.
However, the two became as close as they are now on the sets of the X-Men franchise. During filming for the first entry into the superhero franchise, their trailers were side by side, so they spent a lot of time in each other’s trailers conversing, drinking tea, and sharing notes. The two have a lot in common including their shared love for Shakespeare. It is on these mutual interests that their rich, beautiful and flawless friendship is built upon.
5 Quick Facts About Ian McKellen
1. On the 18th of June, Ian McKellen was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Letters by Cambridge University.
2. Thanks to his May 25th birth date, the actor’s zodiac sign is Gemini.
3. Ian McKellen is good friends with Peter Jackson and Andy Serkis, who he worked with on the Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbit franchises.
4. For his role as Gandalf in the first Lord Of The Rings film, he listened to a recording of J.R.R Tolkien (the author of the franchise) in order to properly familiarize himself with the character. We’ve got to admit, it worked. Ian McKellen’s role as Gandalf received universal and critical acclaim.
5. Ian McKellen landed the role of Sherlock Holmes in the 2015 mystery film, Mr. Holmes. He was 74 years old at the time, making him the oldest actor to take on the role of Sherlock Holmes.
