There’s no denying that Ian McKellen is an icon, a talent for the ages and a man of seemingly limitless charm. The English actor is perhaps best known to millennials as the first actor to take on the role of Erik ‘Magneto’ Lehnsherr in the X-Men franchise films.

Prior to taking on comic book films, IanMcKellen was known for his theatrical work for which he won a Tony Award, a British Independent Film Award, six Laurence Olivier Awards, two Critics’ Choice Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award, four Drama Desk Awards and two Saturn Awards.. The actor is considered one of the greatest British actors of all time.

He also received five Emmy Award nominations, four BAFTA nominations and two Oscar nominations.

Considering he has received all the major British theater awards and been nominated for some of the biggest awards in entertainment, he is considered a renowned British cultural icon. And frankly, no one is more deserving.

Beyond being a cultural icon, Ian McKellan is also a gay icon having lived openly as a gay man since 1988, paving the way for other gay artists still in the closet. To this day, he continues to champion LGBT social movements around the world.

In 2014 he was made a Freeman of the City of London, an honor usually given to a valued member of the community.

Ian McKellen: personal life

Ian McKellen was notably in a relationship with Brian Taylor from 1964 to 1972. Brian was a history teacher at Bolton. The couple lived in London to allow Ian to pursue his acting career. The two were together eight years before their relationship ended.

In 1978, Ian met and began dating Sean Mathias – a Welsh-born actor, writer and director. The two were together until 1988 before deciding to end their relationship. However, Sean and Ian remain good friends and are even business partners.

Ian McKellen is also an atheist. However, he was ordained by the Universal Life Church to officiate at the wedding of his best friend, Patrick Stewart, to Sunny Ozell, an American musician.

Who is her husband?

Ian McKellen is currently in no relationship, he does not have a boyfriend or husband. Instead, the actor chose to focus on his craft and his career. And we have to say, it works for him, considering he’s got plenty of movie and TV roles right now.

Ian McKellen: Relationship with Patrick Stewart

Many have tried to figure out the nature of Ian McKellen’s relationship with Patrick Stewart, even going so far as to speculate that the two are in a relationship (even though Patrick Stewart is married to a musician). However, the answer to the nature of their relationship is simple: the two men are best friends.

The duo first met at the Royal Shakespeare Company when they starred in a play, Every Good Boy Deserves Favor, together.

However, the two have become as close as they are now on sets in the X-Men franchise. While filming the first entry into the superhero, with their trailers side by side, they spent a lot of time in the trailers talking, drinking tea, and exchanging notes. The two have a lot in common, including their shared love for Shakespeare. It is on these mutual interests that their rich, beautiful and flawless friendship is built.

Also Read: Who is George Takei’s husband, how much is he worth?

5 Quick Facts About Ian McKellen

1. On June 18, Ian McKellen received an honorary Doctor of Letters from the University of Cambridge.

2. Thanks to his birth date, May 25, the actor’s zodiac sign is Gemini.

3. Ian McKellen is a good friend of Peter Jackson and Andy Serkis, with whom he worked on the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit franchises.

4. For his role as Gandalf in the first Lord of the Rings movie, he listened to a recording by JRR Tolkien (the author of the franchise) in order to familiarize himself with the character. We have to admit it worked. Ian McKellen’s role as Gandalf received unanimous critical acclaim.

5. Ian McKellen won the role of Sherlock Holmes in the 2015 mystery film, Mr. Holmes. He was 74 at the time, making him the oldest actor to play the role of Sherlock Holmes.