Ian McKellen

Sir Ian Murray McKellen CH CBE, is an English actor known for his wide range of performances throughout his career, varying in genre, franchise, and medium. Notable performances include leading parts include Shakespeare's Richard II and Marlowe's Edward II, as well as roles in the X Men Films, Lord of the Rings, and Gods and Monsters.

He portrays Gus, The Theatre Cat in the upcoming film adaptation of Cats.

Career
While studying at Cambridge, he became a member of the Marlowe Society and appeared in over 23 plays. Ian made his professional debut in 1961 as Roper in A Man For All Seasons at the Belgrade Theatre. Ian has performed in multiple Shakespeare plays, such as Macbeth, Othello, and The Tempest, all to heavy critical praise. Early in his career, Ian frequented roles at Royal Shakespeare Company as well as the Royal National Theatre. He has also appeared in prominent films X-Men, The Hobbit, Beauty and the Best, and The Da Vinci Code, among many others. Ian has also made guest appearances on television shows The Simpsons, Doctor Who, and Saturday Night Live. He is regarded as one of the most reputable performers of his time, given the quality and diversity of his performances and his status as a cultural icon.

Ian s the recipient of six Laurence Olivier Awards, a Tony Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a BIF Award, two Saturn Awards, four Drama Desk Awards, and two Critics' Choice Awards. He has also received two Oscar nominations, four BAFTA nominations and five Emmy Award nominations.

Personal life
Ian grew up in Wigan, Manchester during World War II, an experience which profoundly affected his childhood. He has been openly gay since 1988, and has been an active LGBT rights activist, fighting for legislation and at-risk LGBT youth. Ian is a co-founder of Stonewall, an LGBT activist lobby group in the UK.

Trivia

 * In 1976, he starred in the Trevor Nunn-directed production of Macbeth alongside Judi Dench, who originated the role of Grizabella in London and portrays Old Deuteronomy in the 2019 film version of Cats. Trevor directed the original West End, Broadway, and Video productions of Cats.