Sir Ian McKellen Being An Icon For 12 Minutes | Best of Ian McKellen | The Graham Norton Show

It's Sir Ian McKellen's birthday, so let's take a look at the legendary's actors best moments on the show!
#GrahamNortonShow #GrahamNorton #TheGNShow
Follow us here:
Facebook: / thegrahamnortonshow
Instagram: / thegrahamnortonshowoff...
Twitter: / thegnshow
TikTok: / thegnshow
Snapchat: / 3773416663

[@tracemacmillan9718]

A wizard never arrives to graham norton late, nor is he early. He interviews precisely when he means to

[@Heyguayeplease]

I read this in Gandalf's voice. Who else did the same?

[@seandobbins2231]

​@@Heyguayepleasethe real question is who didn't?

[@extinctopinion]

ok nerd

[@tracemacmillan9718]

@@extinctopinion that’s me 🤓

[@neilacrabtree1617]

Perfectly said 😊

[@CookingAroundTheWorld]

"It brings out the worst in you, Buckingham Palace".......priceless

[@JenWren4]

My friends and family don't understand why I am obsessed with the Graham Norton show, being as I'm an American. The first clip of Ian coming on to the stage and had just gotten in from Scotland and he's apologizing for the way he's dressed and I think Graham says to him "darling you look beautiful come in and sit down." That is the epitome of why I love this show! Because it's like just a bunch of friends get together and come on into the lounge and sit down and tell amazing stories. It's so much fun and I love the fact that people drink and they cuss and they're off color and REAL. It's so much different than American late night shows. There's five or six and they'll have the same actor on each show and ask the exact same questions and the actor will tell the exact same stories or answer the exact same questions and it's so boring. But Graham makes every show a party with your besties! He is the greatest talk show host of all time! An absolute national treasure!

[@VanH77]

Your post is adorable..and as i'm equally obsessed with this show for years-- thank you for those lovely words describing it! We also have(thank god) nothing that comes even close to it in germany. Greetings across the pond ❤😊

[@JenWren4]

@@VanH77 That's so cool thank you. My family is from Germany. Last name Lehrter(grandmother) and Schulkers(grandfather) My cousins visited one year and found a Lehrter station in your train line!

[@litsakoutoula3071]

Νοt to mention how prude everybody is. You can see the difference between the American guests and the British guests on Graham's show.

[@juditszabo8751]

Just what I would say... Greetings from 🇨🇦

[@robertabortolini4377]

I just love this show and watch clips regularly from Italy 😊

[@soundslikephiladelphia]

The booty-pat and kiss 😂 Sir Ian is a doll!

[@philosophyfrog2653]

Some people would call that groping.

[@FishFreddy]

@philosophyfrog2653 Some people don't understand the familiarity between people. People have unwritten rules about how to act with each other. It's called friendship. Do you call this groping? Or are you indirectly complaining about it. Do you understand these are just friends who know each other and know their own boundaries?

[@Yushimasu1]

@@philosophyfrog2653 Isn't this a typical English thing? I laughed out loud when I saw this. My Japanese wife went back to Japan after we spent a long time in London. And when she met her Japanese friend in Japan she also did the same thing. Hugging her friend and booty-patting her. I remember the shocked face on her friend's face it was hilarious 🤣

[@badcornflakes6374]

​@@philosophyfrog2653 stay in your mom's basement

[@badcornflakes6374]

​@@philosophyfrog2653sorry, didn't mean to be so mean, frog 🐸

[@leonardocucchiara4782]

I live in constant fear of the day when I hear of his passing. I know this will break my heart. What a beautiful soul ❤

[@paiman1976]

But he shall always live on... In his works

[@robertjames9332]

My heart is already broken at the very thought...

[@Softlol]

He will always be with us in some form or other.

[@scotthix2297]

He once said he’d love to have a dog, a boxer, a boxer puppy so it would outlive him….

[@NiVi192]

Oh don't worry. Death does not separate us for long. 🫶🏾 And of course, this man won't ever be gone! His movies are immortal.

[@Buttersnatcher]

Ian as Gandalf -> Tired, rugged, old, endless. Ian as Ian -> Field of flowers in the sun. Lovely man. Incredible actor.

[@rosevale3218]

I love Ian's Maggie Smith.

[@jacqueslerocques]

I had to watch it over and over again lol

[@linengray]

I had the extraordinary joy of being on the stage with Sir Ian when he presented Acting Shakespeare in LA in the 90's. He called up a bunch of audience members to play dead bodies while he did a scene from Henry V. He was so gracious and thanked each of us personally after he had finished.

[@scotthix2297]

He did Hamlet in San Francisco. He yelled one word loudly and everybody fell down dead.

[@bradipulp]

You know you've made it when people feel honoured to be dead around you

[@LordMondegrene]

Chateau Neuf du Pape!

[@orielwiggins2225]

​@@bradipulp exactly.

[@orielwiggins2225]

Jealous. That sounds like an amazing talk and to get to be dead and be thanked by him? Awesome

[@javiersp15]

12 minutes of Sir Ian is not enough!

[@Zyryne1]

His pop up to the couch is just precious. He probably called Graham and said, "I heard my friends are in tonight, I'll pop round and have a visit if you don't mind, dear. " Couldn't possibly tell him 'no'. Dear man. 😊❤

[@IndomitableT]

Actually I suppose Sir Ian McKellan is always welcome at TGNS, just like Dame Judi Dench❣️😌

[@MEKKANNOID]

"We sat on the thrones" I would die for King Ian Mckellen without a second of hesitation

[@nozomashii74]

These men are the best! All 3... just lovely

[@baskervillebee6097]

4

[@pratikpendse4849]

That smoking bit was sheer genius. It literally felt like he had a cigarette in his hand. What an incredible artist damnnn

[@JoshVanSaigon]

this comment ❤

[@ARusso1192]

Sir Ian is a gem of a human being.

[@leesashriber5097]

Sir Ian McKellen is so funny and an absolute icon. A true gentleman.❤️

[@sankarnarayanan6377]

What a joyous man. Pleasure to be living in an era where he is making it a better place

[@MrAshwinChauhan]

This man is an absolute legend. ❤

[@AbigailsUniverse]

him and Patric just holding hands healed me lol; deffo strong bromance there lol

[@lawlietriver8869]

Is there a more iconic friendship than that of Stewart and Mckellen? I think not. They are both so epic, awesome and iconic on their own and when you combine them it is just stupidly good.

[@darilynkrupp6309]

Sir Ian McKellen is a wonderful man, gifted actor and someone I'd love having a long chat with. He never ceases to make me smile.

[@ZandeKongo]

"Come out, Ian McKellen." Bazinga! 😂

[@ZoeLomas-w7e]

How they all embraced eachother. Genuine affection that you dont often see blokes show.

[@tytn9978]

It is truly wonderful to see thee snippets of Sir Ian. I think my favourite line was when he was teasing Sir Patrick about being invited to be in a franchise series "over and over and over again"! We can tell that they really are good friends when one can tease the other!

[@fredsafarowic3149]

I always marvel on how you can see the invisible cigarette.

[@tinasjostrand2677]

Marvel. I see what you did there.

[@robertwhelan9132]

Three bloody great legends on that stage with Graham. I’m in awe

[@robertwhelan9132]

Sir Ian's impression of Dame Maggie was ON POINT lol

[@terireed3740]

I love the English sense of humor. I sometimes think if it mustn't be awfully difficult to make a mark as a stand up comedian or any type of professional comedian because it seems everyone across the pond is naturally funny. I wish I got the Graham Norton show regularly.

[@rexlumontad5644]

I hope Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart make a guest appearance as Magneto and Professor X in Deadpool and Wolverine movie.

[@mainly_marvel]

me too 💞

[@seandobbins2231]

​@@mainly_marvelat first I didn't read the "I hope" so I thought this was a confirmation. This made the "me too" confusing

[@HizaSoGoneXx]

Womp womp

[@liliput2259]

Sir Ian makes it impossible to dislike him! I love him as an actor and that he is purely and unapologetically himself!

[@andreglenn74]

Sir Ian is a true gentleman, he was so warm and kind when he was in Rio for carnaval in 2016, and I saw him on a pool party, on that san ex year, and he greeted everyone that came across him.

[@masterxyr]

what a treasure Ian is. A certain delight to partake of his company and perhaps friendship

[@ytuser_3122]

I love him so much, bless him

[@markrigby4464]

I could listen to this sweet heart all day long..

[@Jenny_Oblivion]

What a treat to have these three on together!❤

[@MattyHodge95]

Their friendship of a lifetime is beautiful.

[@sobelou]

Truly a national treasure, Sir Ian.

[@IndomitableT]

By now Sir Ian McKellan has deserved to be acknowledged as an international world treasure … just my opinion🌎🌍🌏😌

[@IndomitableT]

Dame Julie Andrews’ response, @ 7:34, is so lovely: Fine with me darling❣️ The precious greenstone of New Zealand is called pounamu, @8:25, not to be mistaken with the urban/slang word the audience is laughing about.😌

[@Jenny_Oblivion]

🥰 The letters story was sweet. I remember waiting for and sending letters- people should try it now 🙂

[@josefinagarza241]

I love writing letters ir notes better than texting anytime ❤

[@bjark4.792]

9:07 "Didn't work didn't it?" Such a Maggie Smith thing to say XD

[@jamesc7277]

Graham Norton is the greatest ‘chat show’ host of all time. Long may he continue!

[@medusagorgon9]

I love that he mentioned that he was 'going along to get some metal'...Magneto out looking for metal.😅

[@reluctantreligious2003]

The warmth of that welcome is radiating from my screen, incredible

[@Eisenheim1191]

Never thought I'd see Captain Picard and Gandalf the White kiss. I'm here for it.

[@noobiangamez4529]

The thing Sir Ian is talking about is Greenstone or Lesser Jade, in Maori it's called Pounamu. When Pounamu is carved into shape, it's then called a Taonga which neans Treasure. A Taonga is meant to only be worn by the person it was made for or their direct family.

[@shauntempley9757]

It is not lesser jade. It is the other one. The mineral you call jade is totally different. As for the taonga, it can be gifted outside the family, but only if the family feels it is earned.

[@noobiangamez4529]

@@shauntempley9757 It is though. Here in NZ we call it Greenstone or Pounamu. Yes Taonga can be gifted, but no one apart from the recipient or their family can wear said Taonga after the fact. Taonga literally means Treasure and isn't exclusively Pounamu. A toango can be anything from a 21st key to a bone carving.

[@noobiangamez4529]

@@shauntempley9757 Jadeite is the most valuable and widespread Jade, where as Greenstone is Nephrite or Lesser Jade as it is less valuable.

[@shauntempley9757]

@@noobiangamez4529 Greenstone is not Jade. For one thing, ours is more valuable if it's dark colour is black in colouration. Our mineral occurs nowhere else except Antarctica.

[@noobiangamez4529]

@@shauntempley9757 But it is tho. Research it. Jadeite is the most widespread Jade and Greenstone is Nephrite, which is known as Lesser Jade.

[@cathytrottier8944]

These two, Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen are so hilarious. 🤣🤣😜

[@anwarallie]

Sir Ian is a gem!

[@jg2722]

1:30 you can tell how much Hugh loves and respects Ian

[@pbfamous07]

the definition of a global treasure. wonder of the world even.

[@courtneycourtney8720]

I love Ian ! I could listen to him tell stories forever !

[@puiasailo9831]

That fake cigarette smoking movement deserves an oscar. Was that a match? Where did he throw the cigarette that he regretted so much?

[@Sofipontia]

I TOTALLY agree

[@keithrudd8003]

At the policeman under the balcony at Buckingham Palace

[@leilei49-51]

He threw it down the balcony, oh dear😂.

[@flootzavut30daychallenge]

That was hilarious

[@Lenniejj23]

I wish people like Ian McKellen would live on forever. What a beautiful man and soul

[@Ida-Christine]

I could listen to him telling stories all day

[@beniamino2575]

He is an icon

[@Maellegasy]

Can't ever get enough of Sir Ian. he's our internet grandpa.

[@cicadadroid6149]

"Gordon... " "Ramsay?" "No" "Brown" Lmao.

[@mst4705]

Patrick is a fan of GOT confirmed!

[@leesashriber5097]

Graham brings it full circle. Never change❤😊

[@Lawni5]

Ian is an absolute treasure ❤

[@letmetellyousomething123]

Like Judy Dench?😂

[@davidanders2365]

What an amazing show or friendship between some fellow actors.

[@eh6454]

LOVE Sir Ian 😘

[@afolsom685]

Ian is one of my all time favorites. A delight. Good people.

[@gemmastaines5706]

Hear me out........ All the Dames (Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Helen Miram, Eileen Atkins, Julie Walters, Julie Andrews) and all the Sirs (Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Michael Caine, Elton John) at diner table!!! That is the best night ever!!!

[@markrigby4464]

Odd you didn't add peter kay?

[@gemmastaines5706]

@@markrigby4464 He’s not a Knight or Dame! Once he is, I’ll consider him

[@moze_-]

Maggie shall be missed. As they all will be once they're gone.

[@FRIESENBERGG]

Lewis Hamilton

[@Dj_db]

I love flushed away and had no idea it was Ian and hugh the whole time

[@tinasjostrand2677]

One of the funniest movies ever.

[@kendrahoffman7949]

I love watching Hugh just staring at Ian so happy to have him nearby

[@jydeinden]

he seems to be like that kind of grandpa I wish I had (mine passed away many years ago) he is such a sweetheart to everybody

[@bradshawbradshaw8891]

Sir Ian McKellen comes across like a very genuine nice bloke.

[@i.b.4150]

You cannot help but falling in love with Sir Ian❤❤❤❤❤

[@hughdncy]

Not only 12 minutes...ALWAYS AN ICON❤

[@jamesrobiscoe1174]

How utterly delightful! My smile never left my face. Thanks, boys.

[@stevelapierre4776]

😲Oh my gosh.. crikey I forgot his birthday *HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIR IAN AND MANY MORE* ... We love you, you are an unique human being and caring and I would love to meet him, all 3 on the sofa, are amazing.. and 12 min is not enough.. An Icon and Legend.. and thank you for sharing this. gosh..!!!!😊👏🎈🎆🎁🎂🥂❤💙

[@bonnienichalson5151]

Just love this show 😍You don't feel its a talk/interview show It feelsloke some old friends are meeting to catch up :) 🥂🍾🍷🍸with each outher !👍🥳😍

[@Terrjo606]

Ian is best with Patrick and you can tell the years of friendship has only made their wits around each other so much quicker.

[@Stevie_N_526]

What a lovely man. I adore Sir Ian. ❤

[@timelordvictorious]

His a national treasure sir Ian We need to look after him.

[@mythal0620]

Oh my goodness, I love him so much.

[@ashleycd8500]

Gold. The only clip missing is his retelling of the Michael Gambon story!

[@ps6572]

He is an amazing story teller… ❤

[@catianamunoz5655]

Such a beautiful friendship!

[@debralegg5632]

He is such a dear dear soul with inestimal talent.

[@EstherGueahson]

That entrance was epic so full of love😌💜🗝

[@magicmike7198]

Gee Weez, his anecdote about Wendy practically moved me to tears. And when he pretended to light a cigarette, I almost thought he was smoking one for real. I'm not sure but I think he's a good actor, right?

[@lisastenzel5713]

You just have to love Ian ❤

[@xidkid]

Sir Ian IS GANDALF!

[@Brandon_1992]

An absolute icon of a human being 🥰

[@amandawilson1948]

I've seen this before but never picked up on the fact that he gave a "speech" at Kirkcaldy high school - I went there 😃

[@jamietrev]

Brought me a big smile and made me laugh out loud, thank you 😊

[@trishlangford5773]

I just love Ian McKellen. He's adorable. 😂😂😂❤❤

[@brumfed10]

The kiss between legends is beautiful.

[@DeanMoxley87]

The Bromance between Ian & Patrick is lovely

[@xidkid]

Sir Ian is a National Treasure! And Dame Julie Andrews as well!

[@ThiagoAires-u9r]

The way he immediately says “nooo, nevermind” 😂😂😂😂😂 4:27

[@cholatepnabangchang4834]

5:02 There's something about that Carey Mulligan's giggle. 6:35 He never lost track of his mime cigarette until he had to throw it away.

[@MaryLinton-j3s]

Adorable ❤❤❤

[@ourkeving]

What a lovely show.

[@LeeMills-ml9jm]

Graham, with the late great Michael Parkinson, is on a list with just two names on it. As an interviewer and host he brings out the best in his guests and lets them "perform" which makes for a very entertaining and magical show.

[@jody024]

An icon indeed. ❤ Sir Ian.

[@_timi_02]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO HIM 🥳❤

[@johnnycotton3217]

I adore sir Ian

[@zoro4661WasTaken]

What a lad, love the guy

[@hladinibhosale]

I LOVE HIM SM

[@ChrisGWGreen]

The genuine love from Hugh Jackman is lovely to see

[@RichDoes..]

I couldn't give 2 hoots about a persons sexuality... you just know Sir ian is a good person. THAT is all that matters!