Renowned for his iconic roles such as Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings and King Richard III, Sir Ian McKellen has captivated audiences with his exceptional acting prowess. Despite his fame, he remains a private individual, carefully selecting roles that resonate with him and keeping his personal life under wraps. As a seasoned actor with numerous accolades, including a Tony, a Golden Globe, and seven Laurence Oliviers, there’s much to uncover about this enigmatic figure. So, let’s delve into the lesser-known aspects of Sir Ian McKellen’s life.
A Glimpse into Sir Ian McKellen’s Romantic Life
Throughout his illustrious career, Sir Ian McKellen has managed to keep his private life away from the public eye. He has only had two known relationships, both of which ended decades ago. His first relationship was with history teacher Brian Taylor, whom he dated from 1964 to the early 70s. His second relationship was with actor Sean Mathias, which lasted from 1978 to 1988. Despite their breakup, the two remain friends and even ventured into business together. Since then, Sir Ian McKellen has not had any public relationships, maintaining an impressive level of privacy in his personal life.
The Fellowship of the Tattoo
Sir Ian McKellen sports a unique tattoo on his shoulder – the Elvish number 9, a nod to J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. Interestingly, he shares this tattoo with eight other actors who were part of the original nine from the Fellowship of the Rings. One actor opted not to get the tattoo, but his stunt double did, ensuring that all nine characters are represented.
From Actor to Ordained Minister
In 2013, Sir Ian McKellen became an ordained minister at the Universal Life Church to officiate the wedding of his friend and X-Men co-star, Patrick Stewart, and Sunny Ozell. This unique accomplishment adds another fascinating layer to his already impressive resume.
The Accidental Pescatarian
Interestingly, Sir Ian McKellen didn’t consciously choose to become a pescatarian. In the 80s, he simply lost his taste for all meat except fish. Since then, he has continued to enjoy a pescatarian lifestyle, never regaining his taste for red meat.
Opening Up About His Cancer Diagnosis
Although Sir Ian McKellen is generally private about his personal life, he did share his prostate cancer diagnosis with the public in 2012. He revealed that his cancer was ‘contained’ and required no treatment. While the current status of his diagnosis is unknown, his continued success and happiness suggest that he remains in good health.
Follow Us
