Personally, coming out was one of
the most important things
I've ever done
Sir Ian McKellen CH, CBE
B: 25 May 1939
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Never in the closet to his fellow actors, Ian McKellen came out publicly in 1988 through his
open opposition to Section 28 and has courageously fought for gay rights on a global stage
ever since.
As a founder member of Stonewall, he has been at the forefront of a series of political rallies
and fundraisers and as an actor played both straight and gay roles with the same degree of
acting prowess that warranted a knighthood in 1991 for his outstanding contribution to
the theatre.
Most recently he has been awarded the exclusive Order of the Companions of Honour. Founded by
King George V in June 1917, Sir Ian McKellen CH, CBE joins a select group of forty-five
Britons, headed by the Queen, for his services to drama and equality.
Known the cinematic world over as the definitive Gandalf of THE LORD OF THE RINGS fame, together
with Magneto of the X-MEN trilogy, let alone Sir Leigh Teabing courtesy of the screen adaptation
of the international bestseller THE DA VINCI CODE, McKellen has equally delighted audiences
with his critically acclaimed theatrical portrayals of Edward II, Hamlet, Macbeth, Richard
III and most recently King Lear, to name but a few. Along the way he has been more than
happy to contribute to such homosexual works as AND THE BAND PLAYED ON / 1993 and BENT / 1996.
Of note is his role in Bill Condon's Academy® Award winning feature GODS & MONSTERS /
1998, a tour-de-force performance as openly gay director James Whale of THE BRIDE
OF FRANKENSTEIN fame.
Recipient of the Tony Award for his portrayal of Salieri in the 1980 Broadway production of
AMADEUS and with two Academy® nominations to his name for his work on GODS &
MONSTERS and THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING, he remains one of the most distinguished actors
and gay rights campaigners of our time, having recently become a patron of The Albert
Kennedy Trust in order to lend his support to the plight of the gay, lesbian and
transgendered homeless youth of today.
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