Ian McKellen (Ian McKellen): filmography and the personal life of the actor (photo)

Surprisingly, when many actors in old age complain about the lack of demand in the profession and complete oblivion, Ian McKellen bathes in the rays of glory. This truly great actor has been gaining popularity with the years. And the age of his fans is rapidly growing younger. This is easy to verify, it is only necessary to stop on the street teenager and ask who is playing in the "Hobbit" magician Gandalf. And who did not watch the saga of Middle-earth, he must have seen the epic "X-Men".

Some biographies

Ian Murray McKellen was born in 1939, on May 25th. He appeared in the small town of Burnley, located in the county of Lancashire. His family belonged to the middle class. His father served as a civil engineer, so McKellen's wealth was. Before the war, the family moved to Vigen. There they were caught by the bombing that England suffered during World War II. The actor himself shared memories of how he had to sleep under the protection of a metal special table in his childhood. Parents believed that this method allowed to minimize the consequences of getting into the house of an air bomb.

It was the father who brought McCullen craving for theater. He brought the three-year-old Ian to the play "Peter Pan." And after the family moved to Bolton, the eleventh-year-old son of a civil engineer was almost settled in a local theater, owned by a good friend of his father.

In addition, the boy began to play in the school troupe. And his first role was Malvolio from Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.

True, Ian McKellen entered Cambridge, but the acting was slowly gaining ground. And in 1961 he already appeared on the professional stage.

Theater

On the stage for his life, McKellen played in almost all of Shakespeare's plays. In 1974, he was invited to the world-famous Royal Shakespeare Theater.

True, four years later he left the troupe. He did this in order to participate in the production of Martin Sherman's drama "Bias", which tells about the inhuman destruction of gays in Nazi concentration camps. It was the role in this drama that brought Ian the award of Lawrence Olivier as the best actor.

There are other theatrical awards from McKellen. For example, at the Edinburgh Festival, his merits and talent were repeatedly awarded.

The beginning of film career

The first steps in the movie began with episodic roles. But really memorable works fall on the 80s. Then Ian lit up in "The Scarlet Primrose," "Restless Heart," "The Servant of Love."

But the breakthrough can be considered an Anglo-American drama "Scandal". In it, McKellen had a major role. The film was based on the real story of John Profumo, who in the 60's was a military minister in the UK. His career collapsed when his relationship with Christine Keeler, a call girl, was revealed. McKellen played himself John Profumo.

Then there was the Hollywood blockbuster "The Last Movie Hero," and Ian McKellen also took part in it together with Arnold Schwarzenegger. The filmography of the actor was replenished with a very intriguing character - Death.

Then there were filming in the television movie "Rasputin" and another historical tape - "Gone With the Sea".

But a whole "bunch" of prizes brought the actor picture "Gods and Monsters." In this tape, Ian represented the main character - James Weil. For this work he was nominated for an Oscar. He took a prize from the Association of Television Critics, received an Independent British film award. The Chicago, Los Angeles, Florida, Toronto and San Diego Society of Film Critics praised Ian's merits in this film. "Gods and Monsters" marked with prizes "National Board of Review" and the Society of "network" film critics.

Magneto

In 2000, the era of the "X-Men" began. Ian McKellen starred in the role of supervillain Magneto. The partner in the film was Patrick Stewart, who received the character-antipode Professor X Charles Xavier.

Eric Lenscherra actor represented in two more films of the trilogy. Magneto in the British turned out to be much more complicated than the classic comedian villain. It is much more from the favorite Shakespearean heroes of the actor.

It should be noted that the enemies in the movie trilogy, Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart are actually very good friends. Their humorous photosessions, periodically laid out in the network for the joy of the fans, are megapopular. So, one of the last series was devoted to the sights of New York. The pictures did not look like glossy pictures from the tourist booklet. They were funny and surprisingly natural skits, full of humor.

Saga of Middle-earth

Another role that has become a landmark in McKellen's career is the wizard Gandalf.

The history lasts from 2001. It was then that the first film was shot on the classic work of John Ronald Ruel Tolkien. After the final picture of the trilogy "The Lord of the Rings" came a break of several years. But then Peter Jackson undertook to film the "Hobbit". And for the incarnation on the screen of the wizard Gandalf, Ian McKellen was again invited.

It is not known whether the film critics will award the "Hobbit" awards. "The Lord of the Rings" was nominated for an Oscar in his time. But, perhaps, the most valuable reward for an actor is the army of admirers of his talent.

In addition to participating in full-scale fantastic sagas, McKellen is happy to withdraw in modest projects. He does not leave the theater. And on television, he has interesting works. In 2013, Ian starred in the British sitcom "Sinners". This is the story of an elderly gay couple. They lived together for about half a century, but they were not bored with podvat each other and love, although they never admit it even to themselves.

A little bit about personal

For fans is not a secret non-traditional orientation of the actor. In it, back in 1988, McCullen admitted. Ian is gay. And he takes an active part in the social activities of LGBT communities in the US and Britain.

Now the actor says that he is alone. But for a long time he lived with Sean Matias, a little-known actor. After his partner was the teacher Brian Taylor.

McKellen, it seems, decided not to rest on his laurels. In the plans of the actor shooting in the new part of the "Hobbit". The next part of the "X-Men" is on the way. So we can again admire the amazing ability of Sir Ian McKellen to reincarnation.