[65] In 2001, Ian McKellen received the Artist Citizen of the World Award (France). [55] In October 2015, McKellen appeared as Norman to Anthony Hopkins' Sir in a BBC Two production of Ronald Harwood's The Dresser, alongside Edward Fox and Emily Watson. [2][3] A recipient of every major theatrical award in the UK, McKellen is regarded as a British cultural icon. "Like me, like you, he believes in young people and equality and has got a passion for education and opportunities for young people too. "It's June the 8th and it's Thursday and you can vote all day - if you are a first-time voter, good luck to you. “A strangely common aspect of people that get in power at the moment is that they’re these weird characters – ridiculous people in a way – but people seem to find entertainment in that,” began the Pulp icon. Starz Ian McKellen in "The Dresser." [27] Both of these productions were adapted into television films, also directed by Nunn. Young was sentenced to two years and four months in jail after admitting to sexual activity with a boy, dating back to 2006. He was their second child, with a sister, Jean, five years his senior. In 2019, McKellen starred in The Good Liar with Helen Mirren,[58] and additionally played Gus the Theatre Cat in Cats, an adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, directed by Tom Hooper, and also featuring Jennifer Hudson, James Corden, Idris Elba, and Judi Dench. 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[26] Section 28 proposed prohibiting local authorities from promoting homosexuality "... as a kind of pretended family relationship". "It's a lovely feeling you know, when you go and put your little cross next to the name that you believe in. Available for everyone, funded by readers, Sydney councillor Christine Forster says critics of new UK trade adviser are scoring ‘cheap political points’, Critics say Abbott’s views on women and homosexuality and the climate crisis make him unfit for role, Calls grow to block the appointment of former Australian PM as trade adviser, All set to talk about game-changing saliva tests, health minister had to talk up a ‘homophobic misogynist’. McKellen has freely made use of his celebrity status to promote his political agenda. All rights reserved. In the 1970s, McKellen became a stalwart of the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre of Great Britain. He was honoured by the organisation in 2012[97] and hosted their annual Make Believe on Broadway Gala in November 2013. It campaigns for an extreme LGBT agenda imposed by the most stringent means. [91], In 2014, he was named in the top 10 on the World Pride Power list. [27][28][29] During this period McKellen had already been directed by Peter Hall, John Barton and Dadie Rylands, all of whom would have a significant impact on McKellen's future career. © 2020 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. He was one of the founder members of the Stonewall homosexual pressure group in 1989, along with Matthew Parris, Michael (now Lord) Cashman, Angela Mason and Lisa Power. First published on Fri 4 Sep 2020 04.21 EDT. He has also received nominations for two Academy Awards, five Primetime Emmy Awards, and four BAFTAs. Ian Somerhalder was born and raised in Convington, Louisiana, just outside of New Orleans. [72] He was made a Freeman of the city of London on Thursday 30 October 2014. [63], McKellen is an atheist. Ian McKellen lives in the constituency of Poplar and Limehouse, rather than Ilford North, and up until this election it was represented by Jim Fitzpatrick. [2] McKellen received a 2007 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor – Comedy Series nomination for his performance. After his coming out as gay to his stepmother, Gladys McKellen, who was a Quaker, he said, "Not only was she not fazed, but as a member of a society which declared its indifference to people's sexuality years back, I think she was just glad for my sake that I wasn't lying anymore.