Ian McKellen Young To Today: Then & Now Photos

By:

Elissa Anderson

August 5, 2023 7:00AM EDT

Ian McKellen has had a career that’s spanned decades — look back at his most memorable roles, red carpet appearances and more.

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Ian McKellen: Then & Now

Ian McKellen: Then & Now — Sir Ian McKellen is seen smiling as he appears on ‘The Jonathan Ross Show’ in May 2021.

Ian Murray McKellen was born on May 25, 1939. The English actor has had an illustrious career that has spanned over six decades, with roles in Shakesperean theatre, films such as the ‘Lord of the Rings’ franchise, and more. Notably, he was knighted by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 1991, earing the title of “Sir.”

The British icon is revered in the acting world, and has awards commemorating some of his most iconic roles, including a Tony, Golden Globe and seeral Olivier Awards. He has also been nominated for two Oscars and five Emmys.

Click through the gallery to see photos of Ian in some of his most famous roles over the years, as well as in his younger theatre years.

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Ian McKellen: Then & Now

Ian McKellen: Then & Now — Ian McKellen is seen in character during ‘Country Matters,’ which was a British anthology drama series of plays about country life around the turn of the century. The series was adapted from stories by A. E. Coppard and H. E. Bates.

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Ian McKellen: Then & Now

Ian McKellen: Then & Now — Ian McKellen is seen on-stage with fellow British legend Judi Dench as they perform on-stage in the theatre classic ‘Macbeth.’ Both actors are revered for their time in theatre.

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Ian McKellen: Then & Now

Ian McKellen: Then & Now — Ian McKellen poses in the east end neighborhood of Stepney, London during his theatre days. Here, he stayed cozy in a brown ribbed sweater.

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Ian McKellen: Then & Now

Ian McKellen: Then & Now — Ian McKellen poses for a portrait. The handsome actor kept his look preppy and classic in a blue cashmere v-neck with a tweed blazer and white button down. He also added a burgundy and baby blue striped tie to tie his look together.

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Ian McKellen: Then & Now

Ian McKellen: Then & Now — Ian McKellen participates in the demonstration against building plans on the historical site of the Elizabethan Theatre in Southwark, London back in 1989. The British-born icon has long been an advocate for theatre.

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Ian McKellen: Then & Now

Ian McKellen: Then & Now — Sir Ian McKellen poses at the National Theatre in London back in 1991. At the time, he was appearing in Shakespere’s ‘Richard III’ as title character King Richard.

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Ian McKellen: Then & Now

Ian McKellen: Then & Now — Ian McKellen holds his Golden Globe in Jan. 1997 after winning the Best Supporting Actor Television award for ‘Rasputin.’ Here, he’s seen in the press room.

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Ian McKellen: Then & Now

Ian McKellen: Then & Now — Sir Ian McKellen attends the 1st Annual Movieline Young Hollywood Awards in Santa Barbara, California on March 13, 1999. In true 90s fashion, he offset his neutral look with a bright blue polka dot tie.

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Ian McKellen: Then & Now

Ian McKellen: Then & Now — Ian McKellen is seen as Gandolf in a scene with Elijah Wood’s Frodo Baggins in ‘The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring’ which was released in 2001. The Peter Jackson directed film went on to become a cinematic classic.

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Ian McKellen: Then & Now

Ian McKellen: Then & Now — Ian McKellen attends the premiere for ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’ on Dec. 3, 2003. Ian plays the iconic character of Gandolf in the franchise.

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Ian McKellen: Then & Now

Ian McKellen: Then & Now — Ian McKellen opted for jeans and sneakers for the charity premiere of ‘Wah-Wah’ at the Odean Westend in Aid of the Waterford School Swaziland in May 2006. He added a black leather jacket and white button down to the low key outfit.

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Ian McKellen: Then & Now

Ian McKellen: Then & Now — Ian McKellen walks the red carpet at the British Academy Film Awards after party at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, Britain on Feb. 11, 2007. He was formal in a black tuxedo.

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Ian McKellen: Then & Now

Ian McKellen: Then & Now — Ian McKellen was all smiles at the AMC, Lionsgate and Vanity Fair toast event for ‘Mad Men’s 2009 Golden Globe nominations. Here, he’s seen with a cocktail in hand.

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Ian McKellen: Then & Now

Ian McKellen: Then & Now — Sir Ian McKellen is seen on a somber occasion attending the funeral of Corin Redgrave at St. Pauls Church in the Covent Garden area of London in April 2010. He kept his eyes hidden behind a frame pair of sunglasses.

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Ian McKellen: Then & Now

Ian McKellen: Then & Now — Sir Ian McKellen wore a unique gray blazer with a glaze finish as he attended the ‘David Hockney RA: A Bigger Picture’ exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts in London on January 17, 2012. He accented the look with a baby blue tie that matched his signature eyes.

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Ian McKellen: Then & Now

Ian McKellen: Then & Now — Sir Ian McKellen opted for a cool dude look at the photocall for film ‘Mr Holmes’ at the 65th Berlinale International Film Festival in Berlin, Germany on Feb. 8, 2015. He rocked a striped scarf, bat and casual gray Converse style sneakers.

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Ian McKellen: Then & Now

Ian McKellen: Then & Now — Ian McKellen is dapper at the premiere of Disney’s ‘Beauty & the Beast’ in London on Feb. 23, 2017. The British actor added a pink scarf to his black suit for a fun pop of color.

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Ian McKellen: Then & Now

Ian McKellen: Then & Now — Sir Ian McKellen speaks in Trafalgar Square for the London Pride Parade. July 6, 2019. The event marked 50 years since the birth of the modern LGBT+ rights movement.

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Ian McKellen: Then & Now

Ian McKellen: Then & Now — Ian McKellen appears on stage in ‘Hamlet’ performed at the Theatre Royal Windsor on July 15, 2021.

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Ian McKellen: Then & Now

Ian McKellen: Then & Now — Sir Ian McKellen hangs up his acting hat for a moment on the catwalk at the spring/summer ’23 Daley show at London Fashion Week. The 84-year-old old looked born for the runway in a beret with a nautical inspired ensemble.

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