It was wrongly assumed that I wished to become some sort of leader among gay activists, whereas in reality I was happier to be a foot soldier. – Ian Mckellen
It is really, really wonderful that in your old age you are protected by specialists who understand your problems and sort them out for you. Well, isn’t that what we all need? – Ian Mckellen
I used to comfort myself when I became an actor that it was a useful job, entertaining people. And it was important to do it as well as you possibly can. – Ian Mckellen
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
How do I act so well? What I do is I pretend to be the person I’m portraying in the film or play. – Ian Mckellen
I tend to discourage people from calling me ‘Sir Ian,’ because I don’t like being separated out from the rest of the population. Of course, it can be useful if you’re writing an official letter, like trying to get a visa or something passed through Parliament. They’re impressed by these things. – Ian Mckellen
The battle going on over gay marriage in America reveals an awful lot. The Bible belt – people hate gay people. Because the Bible tells them? No, the Bible tells them an awful lot of things that they ignore. – Ian Mckellen
The strength of British theatre should be that these actors in their middle years know what they’re doing and are good at it. Not rich, not famous, but making a living. – Ian Mckellen
I’ve often thought the Bible should have a disclaimer in the front saying, ‘This is fiction.’ – Ian Mckellen
Before acting, I wanted to become a journalist. I also toyed with the idea of being a chef – but that’s only when people asked me what I wanted to be. In fact, I always used to say I wanted to be an actor, but I didn’t ever believe that I was good enough to be come one. – Ian Mckellen
If I was a star, it would be difficult to go off and do ‘Coronation Street.’ So I guess I’m not a star. – Ian Mckellen
Gandalf the Grey was always the guy I prefer. Gandalf the White was driven to do a particular job, whereas Gandalf the Grey is a bit more humane. – Ian Mckellen
I used to think ‘King Lear’ was an analysis of insanity, but I don’t really think it is. When Lear is supposed to be at his most insane, he is actually understanding the world for the first time. – Ian Mckellen
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
Personally, coming out was one of the most important things I’ve ever done, lifting from my shoulders the millstone of lies that I hadn’t even realized I was carrying. – Ian Mckellen
I’m only an actor. I’m not a writer. I’m not going to leave any legacy. All I’ve ever done is learn the lines and say them. – Ian Mckellen
If I have any audience, they can know that anything I am in, I would go see, with the expectation of being really satisfied. – Ian Mckellen