Sir Ian McKellen is one of the most loved actors in movies and theatre, known for his well-known roles in X-Men, The Lord of the Rings, and The Hobbit. With a career that has lasted for many years, McKellen’s great talent and charm have made a strong impact on people around the world.
In this article, we will look closely at McKellen’s net worth, career, early life, personal life, and real estate in 2025. We’ll also look at how much he earned for his biggest roles and his well-known choice to say no to a part in Harry Potter.
Early Life and Education
Ian McKellen was born on May 25, 1939, in Burnley, Lancashire, England, to a middle-class family. His father, Denys McKellen, was a civil engineer, and his mother, Margery McKellen, stayed at home. McKellen became interested in acting at a young age, with his first performance happening when he was just 12 years old in a school play.
He went to Burnley Grammar School and later studied at St. Catharine’s College, Cambridge, where he earned a degree in English literature.
His time at Cambridge was very important in helping him become an actor, as he acted in many plays with the university’s amateur theatre group. McKellen’s early years were filled with a love for theatre, which led him to choose acting as his job.
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Career Journey
Ian McKellen’s acting career started in the early 1960s, and by the end of that decade, he had become a well-known name in British theatre.
He worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company and acted in many well-known Shakespeare plays, including Macbeth, King Lear, and Hamlet. McKellen’s work on stage became very successful, and he was praised for his strong performances and wide range of roles.
It wasn’t until the 1990s that he began to become well-known in movies, gaining a lot of attention for his roles in X-Men (2000), where he played the villain Magneto, and The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001–2003), where he played the well-known wizard Gandalf.
These parts made McKellen famous around the world and led to more roles in The Hobbit trilogy (2012–2014) and other major films.
He has won many awards over the years, including several Laurence Olivier Awards and nominations for the Academy Awards.
Does Ian McKellen Have a Partner or Kids?
Sir Ian McKellen has spoken openly about being gay, coming out in 1988. He has been in different relationships over the years, but he has never been married.
As of 2025, McKellen is not in a public relationship, and it seems like he is single. He has often talked about how meaningful relationships are and is well known and respected for standing up for LGBTQ+ rights.
He has never had children, either adopted or biological. It seems fair to think that he focused more on his work and activism, and that he might have felt he couldn’t be the kind of father he would want to be, especially with a job that takes him to many different places.
Why Did Ian McKellen Turn Down Harry Potter?
One of the most talked-about choices in Ian McKellen’s career was when he decided not to take a role in the Harry Potter series. He was offered the part of Dumbledore after the first actor, Richard Harris, passed away.
But McKellen chose not to accept the role, saying that it wouldn’t feel right, because Harris had not been a fan of his acting. Harris had once said that McKellen’s acting was “technically brilliant, but passionless.” Because of this, McKellen felt it wouldn’t be right to step into the role after Harris.
The part then went to Michael Gambon, who played Dumbledore for the rest of the films.
In my opinion, McKellen would have been the perfect choice to replace Richard Harris as Dumbledore. McKellen’s strong voice and kind eyes would have suited the character really well.
Just like he brought Gandalf to life with a magical presence, I think he could have done something very similar as Dumbledore. Still, I can understand why he made the decision not to take the role.
How Rich is Sir Ian McKellen? His Net Worth in 2025
As of 2025, according to Forbes, Sir Ian McKellen’s net worth is around $60 million. McKellen has made his money through his successful work in theatre and movies, as well as through brand deals, public speaking, and investments.
Over the years, he has built a large fortune. His parts in huge film series like The Lord of the Rings and X-Men have clearly helped increase his wealth by a lot.
We figured out how much money he likely has by looking at his long and successful career in both movies and stage work. He made about $25 million from playing Gandalf and another $25 million for his role as Magneto.
That adds up to $50 million from just those two roles. Other ways he made money include his theatre performances, roles on television, and doing voice work. His money has grown from royalties from his well-known film and stage work, along with brand deals and investments.
Who Will Inherit His Estate?
A question many people ask is who will get Sir Ian McKellen’s fortune after he passes away. The answer isn’t clear. He doesn’t have children to leave his money to, and since he is thought to be single, there is no partner to take over his estate.
Many people believe that a large part of his money will go to charities he cares deeply about, such as Stonewall, a UK charity for gay rights that he helped start. Still, it’s likely that his close friends and family members will receive something as well. However he decides to split his money, there’s no denying that he worked hard and fully earned every bit of it.
How Much Did Ian McKellen Get Paid for Lord of the Rings?
McKellen’s role as Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings trilogy is probably one of his most well-known parts. It’s definitely my favorite—who could forget his dramatic entrance at The Battle of Helm’s Deep?
While the exact number he earned for these movies hasn’t been made public, reports from Celebrity Net Worth say that McKellen was paid somewhere between $6–10 million for all three films.
This amount includes both the money he got upfront and extra earnings based on the films’ profits, which is something many actors get for big-budget movies. The huge success of The Lord of the Rings and McKellen’s amazing performance helped make him one of the most remembered actors of the early 2000s.
How Much Did Ian McKellen Get Paid for The Hobbit?
McKellen returned as Gandalf in The Hobbit trilogy, which came out in the 2010s. For these movies, according to Celebrity Net Worth, he was said to have been paid about the same as he earned for The Lord of the Rings—around $5–10 million for each film.
That means he likely made over $15 million in total for the whole trilogy. Fans, including me, were really excited to see McKellen come back for The Hobbit, and having him in the films brought a familiar and comforting feeling to the new story. I personally think the movies wouldn’t have felt the same without him—what do you think?
How Much Did Ian McKellen Get Paid for X-Men?
In the X-Men movies, McKellen plays the role of the powerful villain Magneto, a part that became well-known in superhero films. According to Celebrity Net Worth, McKellen was paid around $3–4 million for X-Men (2000).
He likely earned more money for each movie that followed. By the time he acted in X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014), his salary was said to be closer to $8–10 million.
His performance as Magneto has been called one of the best in the series, with praise coming from both critics and fans. I’ve always liked Magneto—he seemed like someone who had been hurt deeply, rather than someone who was just evil.
Sir Ian McKellen’s Real Estate in 2025
Sir Ian McKellen owns several homes, both in the UK and in other parts of the world. One of his well-known properties is a charming home and pub called “The Grapes Pub” in London. He is often seen there at theatre events and public gatherings.
This house is on Narrow Street in East London and is a great example of the area’s long history connected to ships and industry.
Built in the early 1700s, the redbrick house has an interesting past. Over time, it has been used for different things. It was once home to the Woodward Fisher lighterage company, and in the 1800s, it served as The Waterman’s Arms pub. Before that, it was a workshop for Sparkes, a company that built barges.
McKellen also owns a peaceful country house in Wales, where he can relax and enjoy the quiet away from public attention.
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Sir Ian McKellen is not just a skilled actor with a long and successful career, but also a loved figure in the entertainment world. His amazing performances in both X-Men and The Lord of the Rings have given me—and millions of others—memories that will always be remembered in film history.
From playing the powerful Magneto to the wise and brave Gandalf, McKellen has shown how talented he is, bringing heart, depth, and seriousness to every role he takes on. His legacy is filled with talent, admiration, and encouragement, and as a fan, I continue to feel thankful for all the unforgettable roles he has shared with us.
