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Date of birth (location)
May 25, 1939
Burnley, Lancashire, England, UK
Mini-Biography
Born May 25th, 1939, in the small town of Burnley in northern England, Ian Murray McKellen was born. His parents, Denis and Margery, soon moved with Ian and his sister Jean to the coal mining town of Wigan. It was in this small town that young Ian would ride out World War II. He soon developed a fascination with acting and the theater, which was encouraged by his parents. They would all bring him to plays, those by William Shakespeare in particular. The amateur school productions fostered Ian's growing passion for theatre. He eventually obtained his Bachelor of Arts in 1961, and began his. McKellen began working in theatre over the next few years. Very few people knew of Ian's homosexuality; he saw no reason to go public, nor had he told his family. They did not seem interested in the subject and so he saw no reason to bring it up. In 1988, Ian publicly came out of the closet on the BBC Radio 4 program, while discussing Margaret Thatcher's "section 28" legislation which would make the "public promotion of homosexuality" a crime. It was reason enough for McKellen to take a stand, and he has been active in the Gay Rights movement ever since.
Interesting Facts
He was knighted in 1990.
He played the vampire in the video for "Heart" by the Pet Shop Boys.
Originated the role of Antonio Saleri in the Broadway production of "Amadeus."
He had a tattoo of the Elvish character for 9 along with all the other members of the fellowship in Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001).
Is a vegetarian.