Ian McKellen

He began his acting career as a member of the Belgrade Theatre's repertory company, making his stage debut in 1961. McKellen's early work included appearances in the West End and invitations to join the Prospect Theatre Company, where he played lead parts in Shakespeare's plays. This led to stints with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre of Great Britain, earning him multiple Olivier Awards for performances in various productions. McKellen transitioned to Broadway, winning a Tony Award for his portrayal of Antonio Salieri in Amadeus, before returning to the stage in subsequent years. His breakthrough in film came with iconic roles such as King in Richard III, Magneto in the X-Men franchise, and Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.