Keith Devens .com

Sir Ian McKellen on stardom

I just came across some of the wisest comments I've ever heard/read on stardom, from Sir Ian McKellen:

TW: Do you have more young fans now that you’ve done some kid-friendly movies?
IM: Oh, yes. I’m more recognized by people of all ages. I haven’t yet seen the downside of that. It’s been nothing but good. But to become famous at 64 is perhaps easier than to become famous at 18. Now I know it’s not me who’s famous. Well, I’m only famous as the man who played Gandalf. I’m famous as the man who played Magneto. But I’m not patting myself on the back. It’s luck that I got those parts, or at least good management. I didn’t go after them. They just came my way. But I would much rather be famous as Gandalf’s representative than as Ian McKellen, because people don’t come and ask me questions about my private life, which I don’t want to answer. But I’m quite happy to talk about Gandalf, as I’m doing now.

Emphasis mine.

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