The huge difference in my lifetime is that you can just go up to somebody and make a pass. You couldn't do that in the 1950s if you were gay. There were secret handshakes, a secret language. There was nowhere you could go to be romantic outside of people's houses. Ian Mckellen 1950sdifferencegay share on social
I owe a great deal to Harold Hobson, doyen drama critic of the 'U.K. Sunday Times,' who championed me as Shakespeare's Richard II at the 1969 Edinburgh Festival. Ian Mckellen championcriticdeal Change image and share on social
Imagine trying to be a gay actor, a gay anything in modern Russia? Where to be positively oneself, to be affectionate in public with someone you love of the same gender, or to talk of that love in the hearing of anyone under 18, will put you prison? Ian Mckellen actoraffectionategay share on social
In the past, kids didn't tell their parents they were gay, so there were never the bust-ups. Some parents react so strongly to the news that their children are gay that the reaction is, 'Get out of our house.' There's a residue of old prejudices that are going to die hard. Ian Mckellen bustchilddie share on social
Because I was in the business of translating the 'X-Men' from the very successful comics, and taking the most popular book of the 20th century in 'The Lord of the Rings,' and making it into three movies, I hope people realize I wouldn't get involved in anything I didn't think was really going to be worth their while. Ian Mckellen 20thbookbusiness share on social
The most likely explanation is the most practical. 'Macbeth' is a very popular play with audiences. If you want to sell out a theater, just mount a production of 'Macbeth'. It's a short play, it's an exciting play, it's easy to understand, and it attracts great acting. Ian Mckellen actattractaudience share on social
Will I miss Gandalf? Well, I don't miss him, because people are constantly coming up to me mentioning him and talking about him, so I don't feel that I've lost contact. Ian Mckellen comeconstantlycontact Change image and share on social
Capitalism offers you freedom, but far from giving people freedom, it enslaves them. Ian Mckellen capitalismenslavefreedom Change image and share on social
When I've been asked what should be on my gravestone, I've said: 'Here lies Gandalf. He came out.' Two big achievements. Ian Mckellen achievementaskbig Change image and share on social