Ian McKellen: podcast appearances and interviews

Sir Ian Murray McKellen is an English actor renowned for his work across stage and screen in various genres including Shakespearean drama, modern theatre, fantasy, and science fiction. He made his stage debut in 1961 at the Belgrade Theatre and later appeared in the West End. In 1969, he joined the Prospect Theatre Company to perform lead roles in Shakespeare's Richard II and Marlowe's Edward II. During the 1970s, McKellen became a prominent figure with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre of Great Britain, earning five Olivier Awards for roles in productions such as Pillars of the Community, The Alchemist, Bent, Wild Honey, and Richard III. He made his Broadway debut in 1965 and received the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his portrayal of Antonio Salieri in Amadeus in 1980. McKellen is also recognized for his extensive film career, achieving worldwide fame with roles such as King Richard III in Richard III, James Whale in Gods and Monsters, Magneto in the X-Men film series, Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast, and Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Throughout his career, he has garnered numerous awards and nominations, including two Academy Award nominations, five BAFTAs, and five Emmy nominations. In addition to his artistic achievements, McKellen is a prominent advocate for LGBT rights, having come out as gay in 1988 and cofounding Stonewall, a UK LGBT rights group. He has received the Freedom of the City of London and serves as a patron for various LGBT organizations.