All about Ian McKellen

Ian McKellen is a famous actor from England who has played many exciting roles in movies and on stage. He was born on May 25, 1939, in a town called Burnley. As a child, Ian loved going to the theater with his parents, which inspired him to become an actor when he grew up.

Ian went to school and later to a university called Cambridge, where he studied English and acted in many plays. After finishing school, he started acting in theaters all over England. He became very good at it and won many awards for his performances.

People all around the world know Ian McKellen best for his roles in big movies. He played Gandalf, the wise wizard, in "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" movies. He also played Magneto, a powerful character in the "X-Men" movies.

Ian McKellen is not just famous for acting; he also speaks out for important causes. He supports the rights of people to be treated equally, no matter who they are. He is proud of who he is and encourages others to be proud of themselves too.

Ian McKellen’s life shows that with hard work and passion, you can achieve great things and make a difference in the world.

1. Where was Ian McKellen born?
2. What did Ian McKellen study at Cambridge University?
3. Which characters did Ian McKellen play in "The Lord of the Rings" and "X-Men" movies?
4. Why do you think Ian McKellen is proud of himself and encourages others to be proud too?
5. How can Ian McKellen’s life inspire you to follow your dreams?

Symbols and Traditions

Hi! My name is Max and I'm 8 years old. Guess what? I just went on a trip to London! It was so much fun. My favorite part was visiting the place where Ian McKellen, the actor who played Gandalf in "The Lord of the Rings," is famous. He's really cool!

We went to the Globe Theatre because I learned that Ian McKellen performed Shakespeare plays there. The theatre is big and round, and it looks really old. It felt like I was stepping back in time. We watched a play, and it was amazing! The actors wore funny clothes and spoke in a way that sounded different but interesting. I felt like I was in one of Ian McKellen's movies!

After the play, we walked around London. We saw Big Ben, the London Eye, and even went to a museum. But the Globe Theatre was the best part because it made me think of Ian McKellen and all the cool characters he played. I want to be an actor like him someday!

1. Who is the famous actor Max mentioned in his blog post?
2. What is the name of the theatre Max visited in London?
3. Why did Max find the Globe Theatre interesting?
4. If you were Max, how would you describe the experience of watching a play at the Globe Theatre?
5. What do you think Max learned from his visit to London that might help him if he becomes an actor someday?

Profile of Ian McKellen

A Timeline of Ian McKellen to another Festival

After learning all about Ian McKellen, your job is to create a timeline of their life. You should add all the important events in their life but you can be inventive and add some interesting things that people might like to read about. You can make it as simply as you like with pen and paper or you can be very inventive and create a 3D diorama or hanging banner. The sky's the limit - go for it!

Slideshow - Ian McKellen
A full set of teaching plans for Ian McKellenteaching.