Back in the late 80s, during an alleged meeting, Ian McKellen recalled how fellow actor Alec Guinness pleaded with him to avoid speaking out on LGBTQ rights, calling it the worst piece of advice he’d ever been given.
As an Oscar-nominated actor and outspoken advocate, McKellen doesn’t seek anyone’s permission to stand on his soapbox, even when discouraged by the acclaimed British actor who died in 2000 and remains best known among sci-fi fans for his iconic role as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original “Star Wars” trilogy.
I’ve always admired Guinness’s subtle depth in those films—watching them young sparked my love for character-driven stories—and it’s fascinating how he once tried steering McKellen away from discussing such a political issue, as revealed in that interview with The Guardian published May 7.
Quick Facts
- Ian McKellen says Alec Guinness once advised him to avoid LGBTQ politics.
- Guinness reportedly met McKellen at an Italian lunch in Pimlico to give that advice.
- McKellen felt the advice was the worst he had ever received.
- Guinness is remembered as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original Star Wars trilogy.
- McKellen used the story to highlight his support for LGBTQ rights.
- McKellen helped establish Stonewall, a major LGBTQ rights group.
- The piece also mentions McKellen’s recent film The Christophers.
Lunchtime Plea
Alec Guinness took Ian McKellen for an Italian lunch in Pimlico, where they chatted casually before he got to the real reason for the invitation, as McKellen shared with the publication.
Guinness had heard about McKellen’s work to establish Stonewall, a key lobby group aimed to present the case to the government and the world at large for treating U.K. treat lesbians and gays the same as everyone else under the law.
He thought it somewhat unseemly for an actor to dabble in public or political affairs, so he advised—even pleaded with McKellen—to withdraw from it all. Having followed Guinness’s career since his stage days, I get why an older actor might see activism as a distraction, but McKellen’s push changed lives—it’s a clash of eras that still resonates.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Sir Ian Murray McKellen |
| Born | May 25, 1939 |
| Birthplace | Burnley, Lancashire, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Profession | Actor |
| Best known for | Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, Magneto in X-Men |
| Other major work | Stage acting, Shakespeare, Gods and Monsters, The Da Vinci Code |
| Awards | Tony Award, Golden Globe, Oscar nominations, many stage honors |
| Activism | LGBTQ rights advocate, co-founder of Stonewall |
| Public role | One of the most respected British stage and screen actors |
Private Life Echoes
Ian McKellen said a recent encounter made him think of Sir Alec Guinness while he was watching Two Halves of Guinness, a play based on the late actor’s life and career. He also suggested the show hints at Guinness’s possible bisexuality in a way Guinness himself might not have liked.
Past media coverage has speculated on Guinness’ sexuality, like a biographical account of his arrest in 1946 for a homosexual act in a public lavatory, tying into whispers around his private world.
Activism Contrast
Guinness married actress and playwright Merula Salaman in 1938; the couple shared a son, actor Matthew Guinness. Meanwhile, McKellen went gay public in 1988 on BBC Radio’s “Third Ear” show, the next year cofounded the LGBTQ rights charity Stonewall, and became a patron for various community initiatives and organizations like LGBT History Month, Pride London, Oxford Pride, Gay-Glos, LGBT Foundation, and FFLAG—the “Gods and Monsters” star’s activism contrasts sharply with Guinness’s more reserved path.
Growing up, I devoured Guinness films for their quiet intensity, and learning these layers makes his Obi-Wan wisdom feel even more layered.
Coming Out Advice
McKellen said he had never met anybody who came out and regretted it, and he feels sorry for any famous person who feels they can’t come out. He called the closet silly and said there is no need for it, so the better path is to listen to your advisers, listen to your heart, listen to your gay friends who know better, came out, and step into the sunshine.
Public Impact
At the time, McKellen observed that there had never been an openly gay Oscar winner for best actor, nor an openly gay U.K. Prime Minister or Premier League soccer player.
He also said women’s sport is not an issue, but young footballers may still get bad advice from agents worried about their incomes; in his view, the first Premier League footballer to come out would become the most famous footballer in the world, with agencies rushing to put his name on their products.
Recent Work
McKellen’s latest screen role was in The Christophers, Steven Soderbergh’s newest film. I have seen how these kinds of public remarks can shape a discussion far beyond one interview, because they speak to pressure, courage, and visibility in a very direct way.
