Ian McKellen Career Retrospective | SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversations

Career Q&A with Ian McKellen. Moderated by Dave Karger, Fandango.
Ian McKellen has been honored with over 50 international acting awards during his half-century on stage and screen. He is treasured worldwide as Magneto in the X-Men films and Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.
He first worked with director Bill Condon as James Whale in Gods and Monsters (1998) receiving his first Academy Award® nomination, for Best Actor. The same year, top critics' groups elected him Best Actor, as the Nazi-in-hiding in Bryan Singer's Apt Pupil. For his classic performance in Richard Loncraine's Richard III, which he produced and co-wrote, he was named 1996 European Actor of the Year.
His varied list of other renowned films include The Keep (1983); Plenty (1985); Scandal (1988);Six Degrees of Separation (1993); Restoration (1995); Bent (1997); Cold Comfort Farm (1995) andThe Da Vinci Code (2006).
On the small screen, McKellen currently stars in the wickedly successful ITV/PBS sitcom Vicious. For his extensive television work, McKellen is a five-time Emmy nominee, most recently for his matchless King Lear (2008); and his comic guest spot on Extras (2006) remembered for the viral catch-phrase: "How do I act so well?" He is most proud of his work as the mentally- handicapped Walter (1982 Royal Television Award) inAnd the Band Played On (1993 Cable Ace Award), about the origins of AIDS and a guest spot in UK's longest-running soap Coronation Street (2005).
Born and raised in the north of England, McKellen attended Cambridge University and since 1961 has worked non-stop in the British theatre. He has been leading man and produced plays, modern and classic, for the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre of Great Britain and in the West End of London. He has won Olivier Awards for Macbeth (1976-78); The Alchemist (1977); Bent (1979); Wild Honey (1984) and Richard III (1990): plus Evening Standard Awards for Coriolanus (1984) and Othello (1989) and for Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre (2009).
In 1981, he won every available award, including a Tony for Best Actor, as Salieri in the Broadway production of Peter Shaffer's Amadeus. He was most recently in New York in No Man's Land and Waiting for Godot after breaking all box-office records in London and on UK and world tours. Over a decade, he toured his solo entertainment Ian McKellen: Acting Shakespeare throughout four continents, where on DVD it is daily viewed in schools and universities. He astonished his fans as Widow Twankey in the Christmas pantomime at the Old Vic in London (2004 & 2005).
In 1991 Sir Ian was knighted, for his outstanding contribution to theatre. He is co-founder of Stonewall UK, which lobbies for legal and social equality for gay people. In 2008, the Queen personally appointed him Companion of Honour for his services to drama and to equality.

[@JessMatney]

My eyes teared up when he did Shakespeare.... such a strong, beautiful person.

[@CrocodileCookies]

Listening to this interview for the second time and once again I'm reminded why he is one of my favorites

[@FreyaMaluk]

I think that Ian Mackellen has mastered the art of pausing.. He gives pauses importance and relevance... i love that about him :)

[@renlish]

Few people do Shakespeare like Sir Ian. He's magnificent.

[@marlenehodgdon8463]

beyond grace, generosity and inspired magnificance thank you ian mackellen for sharing your shining wisdom, passion and glorious love of the craft, eloquently shared humanitarian ,artistic, gold dusted inspiration.

[@AuntieFa]

Fantastic moderator! Other moderators/interviewers take note!! Sir Ian McKellen, magnificent as always. I can listen to him all day and would watch anything with him in it!

[@saraherobb]

He is so amazing, I'm very grateful for an opportunity to hear his stories.

[@megumim6795]

that impersonation of maggie smith (25:19-) is just fantastic!!!

[@Lethia13]

I've been trying to figure out why I like Sir Ian McKellen so much, you know, other than the fact that he's a FANTASTIC actor. And I think I've figured it out. It's the twinkle in his eyes. Everything is said with a rather sly sense of humor, and keeps me wondering how serious he is, and I absolutely love it!

[@ACrackedSmile]

may he live another 30 years!

[@tonymanfredi6844]

Absolutely love this fabulous and extremely entertaining man!

[@Phoenix-bi9bn]

I love here how he says Shakespeare, writing many think to be total gobbledegook, and rightly due to some teaching, and he says it totally clearly so that it sounds like something you would say in modern day. You can understand exactly what every word means due to his delivery of it. Absolute master

[@janecohen4201]

Great interview and incredible interviewer. Who would have known that Sir Ian McKellen had such an amazing sense of humor; he's a wonderful actor!

[@jimpiper1]

This man is an absolute treasure!

[@denizduman6436]

When examining historical records, we encounter individuals of great significance who serve as guiding beacons, illuminating human culture and its evolution. Ian McKellen is widely regarded as one of the most definitely and exceptionally talented actors of our time. Observing his performance period has proven to be extremely valuable for me. Thank you, sir, for all that you have accomplished so far.

[@blazbohinc5735]

Ah.. so nice to listen to him.. A smile on my face the whole way through

[@jc0730]

Priceless brilliance !

[@tylerr.5676]

That speech at the end was beautiful.

[@VtRD]

This is a perfect addition to the interview with Sir Ian and Sir Patrick Stewart, also done by SAG. So many wonderful stories. We are just so fortunate to have him as an artist.

[@ashleyartus8430]

His final speech broke me in half. Breathtaking. X

[@britishdramafan2133]

This was mind-blowing! Excellent interviewer! Wonderful to listen to Sir Ian McKellen!

[@Marcusx1980]

He is like a swagger grandfather. Ian FTW

[@jamesbyersmusic]

I just ADORE Ian McKellen!!

[@Poetic_Justice1962]

Great actors like Sir Ian are basically great storytellers, which he proved again here.

[@eyedownload]

What an absolutely gorgeous human! A lovely interview! Thank you!

[@patriciaknochel7822]

Ian mackellen ist einer meiner Lieblings Schauspieler ich hoffe das er noch viele Filme macht würde ihn gerne einmal live sehen das wäre mein größter Wunsch

[@JustinHenryfan]

I could listen Ian telling stories forever. Great actor. Never realized how good actually until I watched this interview and actually listened to his wisdom. But I had to look it up (because I thought he was referring to the 2011 remake of Three Musketeers) he hasn't auditioned since 1993! That's when the remake starring Tim Curry came out. That says a lot of McKellen's talent.

[@danielledeschamps3769]

I'm just watching this interview now and Sir Ian is fantastic, as always! I love the interviewer too, pleasant personality, can easily talk to people. All amazing!!

[@limited2all]

Sir Ian Mckellen is an inspiration - thank you for uploading this! Cheers from DK

[@leonardocucchiara4782]

I adore that man so much! If I could pick one famous person to ever meet I'd instantly pick him!

[@CBright7831]

His 9/11 story is right up there with firefighters/police officers recognizing Kevin Conroy as the voice of Batman and Steve Buscemi rejoining his firefighter comrades to go to Ground Zero to help out. "Hi, Magneto!"

[@gingerbaker_toad696]

Such an delightful spirit 🙏❤

[@johnsteed5754]

Great interview, what a fantastic finish, brilliant.

[@kennyglesga]

He's a good lad, our Ian!

[@paadoxal]

can this man just be my funny, but magnificent gay grandpa? yeah that would be awesome

[@peterhagan8454]

a wonderful human being ian is

[@yeaman992]

I'd love to see more Ian Mckellen!

[@redstrat1234]

Wonderful

[@oxidasic]

awesome and funny as always

[@tonymanfredi6844]

Being nominated for anything is an honor in show business but for God's sake the Oscars,Tony and the Academy Awards should have given this great Shakespearean Legendary Master of the art's his just due with more than just nominations.

[@David-mg1yj]

These interviews are great, but I do wish they would talk about process and technique and dealing with difficult situations. Things that might help young actors and directors.

[@allergic5]

Great speech!

[@gardenlover9663]

I love Vicious. The whole cast is hilarious.

[@candyrushascendedphoenix8]

Such a great story about Maggie 👍There could have never been anyone else to play Gandalph

[@annejederyd4369]

Fantastic 👏👌

[@ruthdenova5984]

Sir Ian Mckellen, an enchanting master of the arts, an admirable person belong to the people of the mind.

[@garyjohnson9037]

Sir Ian, your as delightful off screen as you are on. I have enjoyed all your movie parts, Gandaf the White.

[@WOLFROY47]

its nice to see him just being his real self, and not being at all his real age, as if he was being his younger self

[@PavelMartinekpierre]

I love you so much dear Sir Ian Mc Kellen you are all organisms cell one one van you are cell human D !!!!!

[@MidnightVideo]

Brilliant.

[@chaddubois8164]

Well the people in that audience aren't forgetting that.

[@vardellsfolly5200]

Damn, i love his shoes!

[@judyblackman1215]

He is mesmerising... love this guy..

[@markoelnegro]

love u ian!!

[@09nob]

Legend.

[@TheNeeenha]

Gods and Monsters is an Awesome movie

[@thekendrickhuynh]

Minor mishap there on the tattoo. Quite understandable because it's been a VERY long time (even more so for him as a very busy actor), but the tattoo reads "nine" in Tengwar.

[@shellyhill6804]

thekendrickhuynh That makes more sense.

[@dezzrayjewelry2515]

freaking right !

[@corgisrule21]

Ian and Meryl.....I would DIE😍😩

[@josegabrielsanchez8683]

sir Ian is amazing and so is sir Derek. they shone through in the TV show Vicious. I didn't care much for the series ending, when they parted with "Ash", they should have ended it by keeping them in touch somehow. Also, Frances de la Tour is a cheeky riot!

[@davidgoddard594]

I always tell friends that nothing major happens on a Sunday. No one’s at work. CNN and Fox would have to call their A team in.

[@Mrl1lace]

please make a short video from 1:26:00

[@jplaw2508]

And show it to everyone in the White House!

[@WilfredZweverink]

I'm fearing the day we may lose either one of them...

[@perunlowtuned]

+Wilfred Zweverink I'm so glad you brought that up, man. Sir Ian was born in 1939, although he looks younger and still has a young man's spirit and wit - and that truly is something we don't get to see very often. I watched his charismatic Oxford Union monologue for the first time just a few days ago, and I enjoyed it very much. And so should you!

[@ennesshay5040]

1:25:03 ... Please release as a stand alone clip !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@rafaelbogdan9307]

27:32 Enjoy!

[@da96103]

I like Ian McKellen, but the interviewer was hot and humourous. Who is he?

[@davekarger3950]

Thanks, so glad you liked it!

[@dmprdctns]

Boy, that interviewer was tight...! Tight....! TIGHT...!

[@garyjohnson9037]

I mean Gandaf the Gray, even though he evolves into the white to save the day. sometimes we have to evolve to survive in today's world or we just fad away.

[@MamoAir]

When I called him Gandalf in London at 7am in Piccadilly Circus, he was not very happy, just saying.

[@ddonaldduck2008]

* * * * :)

[@Kill0rbAg]

Sooo... Ava Gardner made a gay man straight temporarily... noted.

[@peggytorres1899]

may he live another 30 years!