Ian McKellen Urges Young Actors to Come Out: “Being in the Closet Is Silly”

Sir Ian McKellen has a clear message for young actors hiding their true selves – it’s time to step out and live openly. The legendary actor, known for his iconic roles in film and theater, isn’t holding back. He believes there’s no reason to stay in the shadows, especially in today’s world.

McKellen, who came out as gay in 1988 at age 48, speaks from experience. Back then, he made his announcement during a BBC Radio debate, sparked by a controversial UK law targeting the promotion of homosexuality. Far from hurting his career, it opened doors. He went on to play unforgettable characters like Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings and Magneto in the X-Men series, proving that being authentic didn’t dim his star.

He’s adamant about the benefits. ‘I have never met anybody who came out who regretted it,’ he says, pushing young actors to trust their instincts over cautious advice. To him, staying closeted holds people back, both personally and professionally. ‘Being in the closet is silly – there’s no need for it. Don’t listen to your advisers … listen to your heart … Come out. Get into the sunshine,’ he urges, his words carrying the weight of someone who’s lived it.

The 85-year-old star doesn’t just talk the talk. After coming out, he co-founded Stonewall, a group fighting for LGBTQ+ rights, and has supported peers like Elliot Page and JoJo Siwa in their own journeys. He’s also taken on gay roles, like in the sitcom Vicious with Derek Jacobi, showing how being open shaped his work for the better.

McKellen sees a gap in Hollywood and beyond. No openly gay man has ever won a Best Actor Oscar, a fact he finds striking. He compares it to the UK’s Premier League, where no senior footballer has come out either. But he’s optimistic – the first to break that barrier, he predicts, could become a global name, with brands clamoring for them.

His advice isn’t new – he’s been saying this for years. In a 2015 chat with The Hollywood Reporter, he called the closet a ‘nasty place’ full of dust and skeletons. Now, in a recent interview with The Times, he doubles down, encouraging actors to ditch fear and embrace freedom. For McKellen, it’s simple – living your truth beats hiding every time.

We can’t ignore his journey. Born in 1939 in Burnley, England, he grew up during wartime and later dazzled on stage before hitting the big screen. A fall in 2024 during a West End play left him injured, but he’s already eyeing a return as Gandalf in The Hunt for Gollum, set for December 2027. His career shows that coming out didn’t stop him – it fueled him.