Sir Ian McKellen Opens Up About Life-Changing Decision to Come Out as Gay and Its Impact on His Acting Career
Iconic actor Sir Ian McKellen has opened up about the life-changing decision to publicly come out as gay and its impact on his acting career. In a recent interview with Variety magazine, the 84-year-old star revealed that his life changed overnight after he made the disclosure in 1988.
McKellen stated that coming out as gay had a profound effect on his relationships with people and his overall attitude towards acting. He explained that his previous acting style revolved around disguise, adopting funny voices, and unconventional movements. However, after coming out, he found himself fully embodying his characters without the need for pretense or explanation to the audience.
The veteran actor also emphasized the difficulty non-gay individuals face in understanding the struggles that LGBTQ+ individuals endure. He highlighted the damaging effects of living a life of lies and shame, particularly during a time when same-sex relationships were illegal.
McKellen, whose career has spanned over six decades, expressed no desire to retire anytime soon. He acknowledged his own mortality but stated that as long as he was physically capable and mentally alert, he would continue pursuing his passion for acting. He joked about this retiring topic, mentioning a critic who suggested he should stop acting after forgetting a line during a stage play preview. McKellen even entertained the idea of debating the critic in a podcast.
The esteemed actor concluded by sharing his upcoming projects, including his role in the British period thriller The Critic, which is based on Anthony Quinn’s novel Curtain Call. The film, set in 1934 London, revolves around an actress caught in a dark situation involving a theater critic and his editor.
Sir Ian McKellen, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991, remains an iconic figure in the entertainment industry and continues to captivate audiences with his incredible talent and dedication.
