I got better as an actor, and still I’m getting better. That’s only been possible because there’s always been work. – Ian Mckellen
The one thing you can ask, I think, is that actors get paid a living wage. I would like it if all the repertory theatres that currently exist could do that. It would make a huge difference. – Ian Mckellen
If you are playing King Lear you are the centre of attention anyway. You don’t need to draw attention to yourself. It’s all laid out for you. – Ian Mckellen
Theatre is relatively easy if you’re British – you’re living in the theatre capital of the world, London – there are so many places you can work, still. If I had begun to think of myself as a film actor, I think I would have got distracted. – Ian Mckellen
If I say often enough that I’m going to be in ‘King Kong,’ I’m hoping that Peter Jackson will take the hint. – Ian Mckellen
Establishing the rights for gay people to be married would cost the Australian government nothing financially and would gain for you worldwide respect from people like us and, of course, would change lives enormously – the lives of gay people and of their friends and of their families and therefore of Australia as a whole. – Ian Mckellen
I’m not someone who wears shades all the time and ducks into a darkened car in case I’m recognized – that would be absolute misery. – Ian Mckellen
I certainly wouldn’t define myself as a northerner. I’m not even really sure what that means. I’ve lived in London for 50 years. I wasn’t born here, but I have spent most of my life here. So I don’t make much of it, to be honest. I’m just myself. – Ian Mckellen
‘King Lear,’ I’ve been seeing all my life. I mean, the great actors of my lifetime… to join their company, as it were, by playing a part that’s challenged them, is one of the great joys of being an actor who does the classics. – Ian Mckellen
Splendid architecture, the love of your life, an old friend… they can all go drifting by unseen if you’re not careful. – Ian Mckellen
It’s easier to go from theatre to film than the other way round. In film you’re absolutely loved and cossetted and cared for. In film your director makes your performance. In theatre you’re carrying it all. – Ian Mckellen
There are some tremendous actors in the U.K. who have been knighted, and I’ve spent much of my life admiring many of them, like Laurence Olivier. So it’s very flattering to be in their company. But you also end up in the company of people you don’t admire, including some rather dodgy politicians. – Ian Mckellen
There are still times in my life where I pull back from being totally honest, and I can’t imagine a single straight person who would understand that. – Ian Mckellen
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
In the ’50s and ’60s, the life of a gay man was a secret. Homosexuality was illegal, so you didn’t draw attention to yourself. – Ian Mckellen
What I particularly like about Broadway is the camaraderie and the friendship of other people in other shows. Everybody knows you’re opening and cares about you. There’s a real village atmosphere. – Ian Mckellen
There are not many things in my life I can be absolutely proud of or certain I got right, but one of them is that I’ve got better as an actor. I’ve learnt how to do it. And I still have enough energy to do it. – Ian Mckellen
I love the Broadway audiences, who relish live drama and don’t hesitate to display their enthusiasm. – Ian Mckellen
You always think that 70 is the end of the road: ‘Somebody died when they were 73; good life’. You’re closer to death, and you better make sure you don’t waste too much of your time doing things you don’t want to do. No point in saying things you don’t believe in. – Ian Mckellen
Godot is whatever it is in life that you are waiting for: ‘I’m waiting to win the lottery. I’m waiting to fall in love’. For me, as a child, it was Christmas. At least that eventually came. – Ian Mckellen
There are some tremendous actors in the U.K. who have been knighted, and I’ve spent much of my life admiring many of them, like Laurence Olivier. So it’s very flattering to be in their company. – Ian Mckellen
When you were on stage, you could be absolutely open about your emotions and indulge them and express yourself in a way that – in real life – I wasn’t doing. – Ian Mckellen
Anyone in public life who comes out, comes out primarily for themselves, and their life is immediately improved. That’s what happened to me. – Ian Mckellen
If I was on a march at the moment I would be saying to everyone: ‘Be honest with each other. Admit there are limitless possibilities in relationships, and love as many people as you can in whatever way you want, and get rid of your inhibitions, and we’ll all be happy. – Ian Mckellen