The Lord of the Rings - Characters

Gandalf the Grey is an old but wise and powerful wizard who mentors Frodo in his quest.Sir Ian McKellen has been thrilling audiences for 40 years on both stage and screen, and has won over 40 major acting awards. Born in Lancashire, England, he most recently starred as the super-heroic Magneto in the hugely successful screen adaptation of the Marvel Comics' classic X-Men. His other recent films include Gods and Monsters (Academy Award nomination for Best Actor), Apt Pupil and Richard 111 (co-screenplay writer and executive producer). The protean McKellen's memorable screen performances include Six Degrees of Separation, Cold Comfort Farm, Restoration, Swept from the Sea, The Keep, Bent, Scandal and many more.

McKellen has also starred in telefilms "Rasputin" (Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor), "And the Band Played On" (Cable Ace Award), "Walter" (Royal Television Performer of the Year) and, most recently, "David Copperfield" for BBC TV. His many stage performances are legendary. He has acted in and produced classical and new plays for the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal National Theatre in London and on tour. His solo shows "Acting Shakespeare" and "A Knight Out" have been acclaimed throughout the world.