304 Quotes by Ian Mckellen

In the '50s and '60s, the life of a gay man was a secret. Homosexuality was illegal, so you didn't draw attention to yourself.

It's my impression that I've done every job that I've been asked to do.

Most actors are not rich - they are very poor indeed. What keeps them going is that they just love the job.

People who are truly horrible are often the most interesting people in the room. You look at them and just say, 'Why?'

The wonderful thing about modern medicine is that so many of these complaints that used to signify old age and decline can be coped with.

There's lots of Tolkien that must be confusing to people.

The thing you notice here after America is how refreshingly ordinary people look, because they haven't had their chin wrapped around the back of their ears.

If you get criticized, good - I don't think people get criticized enough. People talk behind your back and they criticize you, but they don't often come up and say it to you.

I don't really like being with people my own age for long periods, because all we talk about is our decrepitude, how the world is changing for the worse even though it isn't.