Sir Ian McKellen

Sir Ian McKellen is not only one of my favorite actors; he’s been one of my heroes for over 25 years.

I actually had the chance to meet him in person after the Denver premier of Richard III. I was working at the Mayan movie theatre in 1995. One of the benefits of working there is that I got to see a few movie premiers.

Richard III opened at the Esquire theatre, and Ian McKellen talked to the audience about his performance and his ideas for putting it together. Listening to him was delightful.

After watching the movie, we went to a fancy restaurant and bar called Strings. My friends and I had the opportunity to talk with Ian McKellen for about ten minutes. I even got to shake his hand. He was just as engaging in person as on screen!

When he played the role of Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings, I couldn’t imagine anyone else giving a better performance. I say this even though I played Gandalf on stage in our fifth-grade production of The Hobbit!

Here are a few of my favorite movies that feature Ian McKellen.

• Richard III
• Gods and Monsters
• Apt Pupil
• X-Men
• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
• The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
• The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
• The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
• The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
• Mr. Holmes

Note: These are not the only movies I’ve enjoyed that feature Ian McKellen!