Ian McKellen Says His LGBT+ Activism Is "More Important" Than His Acting

“I want to be remembered for LGBT+ activism more than acting”…
 
Ian McKellen has proved himself to be one of the most versatile actors of our time with a decade-spanning career in Shakespearian theatre as well as starring in blockbuster franchises like X-Men and The Lord Of The Rings.
 
But despite this, the 78-year-old icon believes it’s his work for LGBT+ rights that’s the “most important” achievement of his life.
 
At the Rome Film Fest, The Hollywood Reporter asked McKellen if he wanted to be remembered more for his acting or his activism.
 
“I do a lot of theater, and theater is just for now, it’s just for today. Tonight you know, it’s over, it’s finished, it’s not recorded,” McKellen said.
 
“Now cinema is quite different, film is eternal as you are. But I do notice… that when you look at old films the actors may look young but their acting is rather old-fashioned. In other words, there are fashions in acting, and with very few exceptions ones work actually looks worse and worse as the years go by.”
 
He continued: “I’m very proud of my small contributions to changing the law in this country and changing attitudes, all for the better. And I suppose in the scheme of things that is more important and the more merit and [will be] longer lasting than any acting that I have done. But that is more for other people to judge, isn’t it?”
 
A true LGBT+ hero.