“I've always longed for the theatre and acting to be popular. No actor wants to play to an empty house. We only do it for an audience. The more the merrier. I don't make any distinction between a popular TV series or blockbuster film and doing Shakespeare. They're different, but as long as the material is good and the intention is honourable, it's all the same to me.” WantLongDifferentPlayFilmActorsHouseActingAudienceMaterialsTvsEmptySeriesIntentionTheatreDistinctionTv SeriesBlockbusterEmpty HousesMore The Merrier Author:Ian Mckellen
“Journalists often ask me: "Aren't you sorry that after all the work you've done, you're best known as Magneto and Gandalf?" But that's what I've always wanted - not to be known as myself. I want to draw attention to the characters.” WantDoneCharacterWantedAsksAttentionKnownDrawsSorryJournalistAsk MeMagneto Author:Ian Mckellen
“You would be surprised how many directors don't know what they want. They might not know what they want until they see it, they might know what they want but no idea how to get it out of the actor, then you've both got a problem.” KnowsWantIdeasProblemMightWould BeActorsDirectorsNo IdeaWant U Author:Ian Mckellen
“There are directors, and I think this is true of all directors, it would be true if I was a director - If the actor didn't want to do what I was suggesting, I would let him do it his way, and then I would say to him, "Just give me one where you do what the director wants", and that, of course, is the take that's used.” IfsThinkingWayWantGivingWould BeUsedCoursesActorsDirectorsGive MeBeing TrueSuggesting Author:Ian Mckellen
“I think it's one thing to declare your sexuality, if you care about what that is. It's another thing to start talking in public about what you do in private and who you do it with. It's not that they [my significant others] don't want to be identified as gay, but that they don't want to be identified as ... with me.” IfsThinkingWantCareTalkingOne ThingGaySexualitySignificantIf You CareSignificant Other Author:Ian Mckellen
“I have been reluctant to lobby on other issues I most care about - nuclear weapons (against), religion (atheist), capital punishment (anti), AIDS (fund-raiser) because I don't want to be forever spouting, diluting the impact of addressing my most urgent concern - legal and social equality for gay people worldwide.” PeopleWantHas BeensCareSocialForeverIssuesGayWeaponsConcernImpactAtheistAidsNuclearPunishmentFundNuclear WeaponsUrgentReluctantGay PeopleCapital PunishmentAgainst ReligionSocial Equality Author:Ian Mckellen
“Quite low down in the list is "How much am I going to be paid?"... my main feeling about money is that I don`t want to feel as though I`m being taken advantage of... The other actors they asked to play Gandalf wouldn`t go to New Zealand on that money for that length of time. I thought it would be a bit of an adventure... I`m an eccentric actor, and there`s a lot of us around.” WantFeelsPlayFeelingsWould BeActorsBitsActingTakenAdventureLowsAdvantagePaidListsLengthEccentricNew ZealandTaken Advantage Author:Ian Mckellen
“I've had enough of being a gay icon! I've had enough of all this hard work, because, since I came out, I keep getting all these parts, and my career's taken off. I want a quiet life. I'm going back into the closet. But I can't get back into the closet, because it's absolutely jam-packed full of other actors.” WantI CanHardEnoughActorsCareersTakenHard WorkGayQuietGet BackClosetsIconsJamHad EnoughQuiet Life Author:Ian Mckellen
“Macbeth is a very popular play with audiences. If you want to sell out a theater, just mount a production of Macbeth. It's a short play, it's an exciting play, it's easy to understand, and it attracts great acting.” IfsWantPlayEasyActingAudienceExcitingTheaterSellsProductionsVery Popular Author:Ian Mckellen
“When we'd suggested doing it, the Theatre Royal management had said, 'Nobody wants to see Waiting for Godot.' As it happened, every single ticket was booked for every single performance, and this confirmation that our judgment was right was sweet. Audiences came to us from all over the world. It was amazing.” WorldWantSaidWaitingAudienceHappenedSweetJudgmentPerformancesManagementTheatreTicketsRoyalConfirmationGodotWaiting For Godot Author:Ian Mckellen
“It is very, very, very difficult for an American actor who wants a film career to be open about his sexuality. And even more difficult for a woman if she's lesbian. It`s very distressing to me that that should be the case. The film industry is very old fashioned in California.” IfsWantShouldFilmActorsDifficultCareersCasesIndustrySexualityCaliforniaOld FashionedFilm IndustryDistressing Author:Ian Mckellen
“If I was on a march at the moment I would be saying to everyone: Be honest with each other. Admit there are limitless possibilities in relationships, and love as many people as you can in whatever way you want, and get rid of your inhibitions, and we'll all be happy.” PeopleIfsWayWantMomentsWould BeHonestPossibilityAnd LoveBeing HonestMarchLimitlessInhibitionsLimitless Possibilities Author:Ian Mckellen
“You always think that 70 is the end of the road: 'Somebody died when they were 73; good life'. You're closer to death, and you better make sure you don't waste too much of your time doing things you don't want to do. No point in saying things you don't believe in.” ThinkingWantBelieveEndsToo MuchWasteDiedDon't BelieveGood LifeNo PointEnd Of The Road Author:Ian Mckellen
“Why live outside the US? Do you want health care or safe food products or democracy or something? They're all overrated. Stay for the excellent cable TV.” WantCareDemocracyTvsProductsSafeHealth CareExcellentCablesOverratedCable TvSafe Food Author:Ian Mckellen
