Ten fun facts about Ian McKellen
Fact 1
Some of his most famous movies are “The Lord of the Rings” film trilogy, X-Men films, The Da Vinci Code and Gandalf amongst others.
Fact 2
In 1979, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He received his knighthood in 1991 for the services that he had rendered to the performing arts. In 2008, he received the Companion of Honor award for his services to equality and drama.
Fact 3
McKellen was an open homosexual and he said that this was why he could relate to the X-Men films. The central theme of all the movies was of mutants being shunned by humans and not being allowed to live in peace.
Fact 4
In 2006, he took over the top spot from Elton John in” Independent of Sunday Pink List”. This is a list of worldwide influential gay women and men.
Fact 5
In 2000, McKellen was offered the role of Commander Swanbeck in “Mission Impossible II”. He had a prior theatre engagement and could not accept the role. Eventually Anthony Hopkins played the role.
Fact 6
He and Patrick Stewart were members of the “Royal Shakespeare Company” at the same time.
Fact 7
He was the only actor from the “Lord of The Rings” trilogy to receive an Acting Academy Award nomination.
Fact 8
The phrase “old friend” was used by McKellen in “X-Men” as well as in “The Lord of The Rings”. In both the movies its connotation is one of mockery and is directed at his nemesis who at one time had been his allies.
Fact 9
McKellen acted with Bruce Davison in four movies: the 1993 “Six Degrees of Separation”, the 1998-made” Apt Pupil”, X-Men (2000) and the X2 which was made in 2003.”Six Degrees of Separation” was the only one not directed by Bryan Singer.
Fact 10
In 2004, Ian McKellen turned down the role of Professor Dumbledore in “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”.
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