Ian Mckellen Quotes

Acting is no longer about lying. It’s now about revealing the truth. People are at ease with me now. Honesty is the best policy.

I don’t make much distinction between being a stand-up comic and acting Shakespeare – in fact, unless you’re a good comedian, you’re never going to be able to play Hamlet properly.

I love the Broadway audiences, who relish live drama and don’t hesitate to display their enthusiasm.

To know you are in the company with people who love and care for each other, as well as for whatever they are working on, is almost essential.

That was the big effect Lord of the Rings had on me. It was discovering New Zealand. And even more precious were the people- not at all like the Australians.

The performance is created by the director. The actor is the material. And I think that has to be true.

Why live outside the US? Do you want health care or safe food products or democracy or something? They’re all overrated. Stay for the excellent cable TV.

I’ve always longed for the theatre and acting to be popular. No actor wants to play to an empty house. We only do it for an audience. The more the merrier. I don’t make any distinction between a popular TV series or blockbuster film and doing Shakespeare. They’re different, but as long as the material is good and the intention is honourable, it’s all the same to me.

I tend to discourage people from calling me ‘Sir Ian,’ because I don’t like being separated out from the rest of the population. Of course, it can be useful if you’re writing an official letter, like trying to get a visa or something passed through Parliament. They’re impressed by these things.

As for the clarity of the 48 frames, I’ve heard people say that it looks odd, it’s too demanding, there’s too much information, you don’t know where to look.

Kids are coming out earlier and earlier – some, as young as twelve now – and schools need to take that into account.

Some directors don’t tell you that it’s not your fault, so you get increasingly depressed that you’re not delivering what’s required, and then you discover it’s not you at all, it’s something in the background that’s out of focus.