A chronological list of significant events in the career of Ian McKellen

Date Event
2019 August 29 Last Show of UK Tour
2019 February 8 UK Opening of All is True
2019 January 25 First date of UK Tour
2018 November 3 Final performance of King Lear in West End
2018 July 11 First performance of King Lear in West End
2018 June 22 Principal photograhy completed on The Good Liar
2018 April 23 Principal photograhy begins on The Good Liar
2018 March 24 Paradise Lost transmitted on Radio 4
2017 October 28 King Lear limted run ends at Chichester Festival Theatre
2017 September 22 New production of King Lear begins at Chichester Festival Theatre
2017 July 4 With Shakespeare, Tolkien, Others and You one-man show begins at Park Theatre
2017 April 4 Begins tour of Turkey
2017 March 17 Beauty and the Beast opens in cinemas worldwide
2016 December 17 No Man's Land run ends at Wyndham's Theatre, London
2016 August 3 No Man's Land UK Tour begins
2015 October 31 The Dresser airs on BBC2
2015 July 17 Mr Holmes opens in US and Canada
2015 June 19 Mr Holmes opens in UK and Ireland
2015 April 14 Beauty and the Beast Table-read at Shepperton Studios
2014 November 24 Production begins for second season of Vicious
2014 August 22 Principal Photography completed for Mr Holmes
2014 July 5 Principal Photography begins on Mr Holmes
2014 June 18 Honorary Degree, Cambridge University
2014 May 22 X-Men: Days of Future Past opens in cinemas worldwide
2014 March 30 After two extensions, Waiting for Godot and No Man's Land end their run on Broadway
2013 December 13 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug opens worldwide
2013 November 24 Opening night on Broadway
2013 November 4 Hosts Only Make Believe Gala
2013 September 9 Arrives New York to begin rehearsals of Two Plays in Rep
2013 August 31 Last Berkeley performance of No Man's Land
2013 August 7 No Man's Land Berkeley Opening Night
2013 August 3 First Preview of No Man's Land
2013 July 20 Comic-Con to support X-Men: Days of Future Past
2013 July 14 Arrives Berkeley, CA for rehearsals of No Man's Land
2013 June 29 Completes filming pick-ups for THE HOBBIT
2013 May 20 Arrives in Wellington to film pick-ups for THE HOBBIT
2013 April 29 First of six episodes of VICIOUS broadcast on ITV
2013 April 15 Arrives in Montreal to begin filming X-MEN: Days of Future Past
2012 December 18 THE HOBBIT opens worldwide
2012 November 28 THE HOBBIT: An Unexpected Journey Premiere, Wellington, NZ
2012 July 14 THE HOBBIT Presentation at Comic-Con
2012 July 7 THE HOBBIT Principal photography completion
2012 June 24 IAN McKELLEN ON STAGE ends tour of New Zealand
2012 May 5 IAN McKELLEN ON STAGE begins tour of New Zealand
2012 March Begins third and final block of principal photography for THE HOBBIT
2011 October With Sean Mathias and Evgeny Lebedev, becomes proprietor of his local pub, The Grapes (Est. 1583)
2011 July 21 THE SYNDICATE opens at Minerva Theatre, Chichester
2011 April 24 LOOKING FOR LOWRY airs on ITV
2011 March 28 Begins filming THE HOBBIT in New Zealand
2010 April 3 GOLDFINGER transmitted on BBC Radio 4
2010 January 21 WAITING FOR GODOT begins revival at Theatare Royal Haymarket followed by Australia/New Zealand tour
2010 January 14 First posting to Twitter
2009 November 14 THE PRISONER begins airing on AMC
2009 October 29 A KNIGHT IN HARMAN HALL, Washington DC
2009 September 23 First posting to Facebook
2009 April 30 WAITING FOR GODOT begins West End run at Theatre Royal Haymarket
2009 March 5 WAITING FOR GODOT begins UK Tour, Festival Theatre, Mavlern
2009 January 10 WALTER NOW transmitted on BBC Radio 4
2008 July 5 Delegation from Stonewall visits Prime Minister Gordon Brown
2008 April 3 Delivers keynote address at Stonewall UK Equality Dinner
2007 December 28 Named to the Order of the Companions of Honour by Queen Elizabeth II
2007 April 17 THE SEAGULL opens at The Courtyard Theatre, Stratford- upon-Avon
2007 March 24 KING LEAR opens at The Courtyard Theatre, Stratford- upon-Avon
2007 January 6 Begins rehearsals for KING LEAR and THE SEAGULL
2006 December 21 SIR GAWAIN AND THE GREEN KNIGHT broadcast on BBC Radio 4
2006 October 6 EXTRAS (Season 2, Episode 5) broadcast on BBC2
2006 RIME OF THE ANCIENT MARINER released
2006 July 2 EUROPRIDE: THE SHOW
2006 May 26 X-MEN: THE LAST STAND opens
2006 May 19 THE DA VINCI CODE opens
2006 May 2 In Los Angeles to promote THE DA VINCI CODE
2006 February 23 THE CUT opens at Donmar, London
2006 February 16 Equality Act of 2006 receives royal assent granting protections against discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation in the provision of goods and services
2006 February 11 Golden Bear Lifetime Achievement Award, Berlinale
2006 February 7 WORDS, WORDS, WORDS, to benefit The Dyslexia Institute
2006 January 22 ALADDIN ends run
2006 January 12 Unveils plaque at Rose Theatre
2005 December 7 ALADDIN opens second run at The Old Vic
2005 December 5 Civil Partnership Act grants legal status to gays and lesbians in UK
2005 September 7 SPIRIT WALKER released
2005 August 12 ASYLUM opens
2005 July 25 THE PRELUDE broadcast
2005 May 2 CORONATION STREET broadcast
2005 May 1 CORONATION STREET first of ten episodes broadcast on ITV
2005 April 24 A Restoration Gala at Royal Theatre, Bury St Edmunds
2005 April 24 In New York for screening of ASYLUM at Tribeca Film Festival
2005 February 25 TERRE HAUTE broadcast
2005 February 11 In Berlin for screening of ASYLUM at Berlinale
2005 January 23 ALADDIN closes
2004 December 17 ALADDIN opens at Old Vic, London
2004 November 6 Show in memory of sister, Jean Jones, Village Hall, Nayland, Sussex, UK
2004 September 16 WOLF BROTHER released
2004 September 6 Filming NEVERWAS in Vancouver, BC (through 22 October 2004)
2004 July 12 BE PREPARED broadcast
2004 July 3 Leads Pride March in London
2004 June 27 SOUTH BANK SHOW: A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF IAN MCKELLEN broadcast
2004 June 26 Carries Olympic torch on Tower Bridge
2004 May 21 EMILE opens in UK
2004 April 29 Honorary degree from Leeds University
2004 February 29 Academy Awards, Hollywood. Presents film clip of RETURN OF THE KING
2003 December 31 EMILE opens
2003 December 22 In New York to promote RETURN OF THE KING
2003 December 18 THE LORD OF THE RINGS: RETURN OF THE KING opens
2003 December 3 Premiere of RETURN OF THE KING, Los Angeles
2003 December 1 Premiere of RETURN OF THE KING, Wellington, NZ
2003 November 23 THE SIMPSONS: The Regina Monologues broadcast
2003 November 20 Criminal Justice Act of 2003 receives royal assent to recognise anti-gay hate crimes
2003 November 18 Section 28 repealed
2003 November Sister, Jean Jones, dies in Nayland, Sussex, UK
2003 October 1 CHURCHILL broadcast
2003 August 23 Manchester Pride
2003 May 4 An Audience with Ian McKellen at The Space, Isle of Dogs, London
2003 May 2 X2 opens
2003 February 20 DANCE OF DEATH opens at Lyric Shaftesbury Ave, London
2003 January 27 Announces nominess for BAFTA Awards
2002 December 18 EMILE wraps principal photography in Vancouver
2002 December 18 THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS opens
2002 December 8 INSIDE THE ACTORS' STUDIO on Bravo TV in US
2002 November 25 EMILE begins filming in Vancouver
2002 November 10 A KNIGHT OUT (Vancouver 2002) opens at Vancouver Playhouse, Vancouver, BC Canada
2002 September 22 AIDS Walk Seattle
2002 June 30 Grand Marshall, SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE
2002 March 24 Attends Academy Awards with Nick Cuthell, Hollywood. Best Supporting Actor nominee, FELLOWSHIP OF THE RINGS
2002 March 16 Hosts SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, New York
2002 March 9 In Los Angeles to promote FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING
2002 January 20 Presents award at Golden Globes, Beverly Hills
2001 December 19 THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING opens in cinemas worldwide
2001 December 10 London premiere of FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING
2001 September 18 DANCE OF DEATH (Broadway) opens at Broadhurst Theatre, New York
2001 April 22 LITTLE DORRIT broadcast
2001 THE OLIVIERS IN LOVE broadcast
2000 December 22 Principal photography wraps for LOTR
2000 December Meets Nick Cuthell, Cuba Street, Wellington, NZ
2000 November 30 Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act receives royal assent to equalize age of consent for male homosexuals in UK
2000 July 22 Comic-Con San Diego to promote LOTR and X-MEN
2000 July 14 X-MEN opens in cinemas
2000 July 12 X-MEN Premiere, Ellis Island, New York
2000 April 10 Yahoo! Chat
2000 January 10 Begins filming LORD OF THE RINGS in New Zealand
1999 December 25 DAVID COPPERFIELD broadcast
1999 November 28 Equality Show London
1999 August 17 First blog entry (earliest actor's blog on the Internet) for X- MEN
1999 August Begins filming X-MEN in Toronto
1999 March 26 GODS AND MONSTERS opens in UK
1999 March 25 Attends London premiere of GODS AND MONSTERS with Monica Lewinsky
1999 March 21 Attends Academy Awards, Los Angeles, Best Actor nominee, GODS AND MONSTERS
1999 January 28 THE TEMPEST opens at West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds
1998 December 10 PRESENT LAUGHTER opens at West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds
1998 November 4 GODS AND MONSTERS opens
1998 October 29 THE SEAGULL opens at West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds
1998 October 23 APT PUPIL opens
1998 September 26 GODS AND MONSTERS at New York Film Festival
1998 July 22 AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE (Los Angeles) opens at Ahmanson Theater The Music Centre, Los Angeles
1998 January 23 SWEPT FROM THE SEA opens
1997 December 16 PETER PAN opens at Olivier Theatre, London
1997 November 28 Equality Show London
1997 October 4 BENT opens
1997 September 19 AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE opens at Olivier Theatre, London
1997 September 1 Launches website at McKellen.com
1997 September 1 SURVIVING FRIENDLY FIRE opens
1997 July 28 Wraps GODS AND MONSTERS
1997 June 30 Begins filming GODS AND MONSTERS
1997 May 16 A KNIGHT OUT IN LOS ANGELES opens at Los Angeles Theatre Centre, Los Angeles
1997 April Website launched for A KNIGHT OUT IN LOS ANGELES
1997 April 4 Completes principal photography for APT PUPIL
1997 January 10 A KNIGHT OUT IN BRUSSELS opens at Theatre du Residence Palace, Brussels
1997 Joins board of National Theatre
1996 November 17 King's Parade at Theatre Royal Haymarket, London
1996 November 8 A KNIGHT OUT IN THE EAST END opens at St Paul's Arts Centre, London E 14
1996 CREATIONS broadcast
1996 May 20 Golden Quill Award, Folger Library, Washington
1996 May 20 Meets President Bill Clinton, White House, Washington
1996 March 23 RASPUTIN broadcast
1996 January 5 CHARLIE ROSE SHOW
1996 ODYSSEY (Unabridged) released
1995 December 29 RESTORATION opens
1995 December 29 RICHARD III opens
1995 September 1 KIPLING'S IF broadcast
1995 June 2 JACK AND SARAH opens
1995 April 28 THIN ICE opens
February 1995 Meets President Nelson Mandela, Johannesburg, South Africa
1995 January 23 A KNIGHT OUT opens at Civic Theatre, Johannesburg
1995 January 1 COLD COMFORT FARM broadcast
1994 November 13 A KNIGHT OUT begins UK tour
1994 November 3 Criminal Justice Act of 1994 receives royal assent to reduce age of consent to 18 for male homosexuals in UK
1994 October 9 The Ballad of Reading Gaol broadcast on BBC Radio 3
1994 September 25 A KNIGHT OUT AT THE MARKET THEATRE opens at Market Theatre, Johannesburg
1994 July 1 THE SHADOW opens
1994 June 25 Delivers closing address at Gay Games IV
1994 June 21 A KNIGHT OUT AT THE LYCEUM opens at Lyceum Theatre, New York
1994 February 4 I'LL DO ANYTHING opens
1994 THE SOLDIER'S TALE broadcast
1994 THE DANCING BEAR broadcast
1993 December 8 SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION opens
1993 November 1 TALES OF THE CITY broadcast
1993 October 1 MISTER SHAW'S MISSING MILLIONS broadcast
1993 September 11 AND THE BAND PLAYED ON broadcast
1993 August 20 THE BALLAD OF LITTLE JO opens
1993 June 18 LAST ACTION HERO opens
1993 May 18 Announces plans to film RICHARD III, Cannes
1993 April 25 Attends March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation
1993 March 8 Filming LAST ACTION HERO in Times Square, New York
1992 October 30 40 Glorious Years broadcast on BBC One
1992 September 20 NAPOLIA MILLIONARIA (Radio) broadcast on BBC Radio 3
1992 May 20 RICHARD III (US Tour) opens
1992 February 25 UNCLE VANYA opens at Cottesloe, London
1991 November 16 To Be or Not to Be ... broadcast on BBC Two
1991 September 24 Meeting with PM John Major at 10 Downing Street
1991 August 19 Them and Us broadcast on BBC One
1991 July 1 PM John Major sees NAPOLI MILIONARIA
1991 June 27 NAPOLI MILIONARIA opens at Lyttelton, London
1991 January 4 Derek Jarman letter in The Guardian
1991 University of Oxford, Cameron Mackintosh Professor of Contemporary Theatre
1990 December 31 Knighthood announced by Queen Elizabeth II
1990 September 7 APLA Award, Wiltern Theatre, Hollywood
1990 June 26 KING LEAR opens at Lyttleton, London
1990 June 25 RICHARD III opens at Lyttelton, London
1990 June 23 OTHELLO broadcast on BBC Two
1990 May 20 Acting Shakespeare (Milan, Piccolo Teatro Studio)
1990 April 28 CHIP IN THE SUGAR opens at Haymarket Theatre, London
1990 April 3 RELATED VARIATIONS broadcast on BBC Radio 3
1990 March 19 Rehearsals begin for RICHARD III
1990 February 18 ACTING SHAKESPEARE (Jersey) opens at Opera House, Jersey, Channel Islands
1990 January 19 BENT opens at Lyttelton and Garrick, London
1989 December 15 WILD HONEY (Radio) broadcast on BBC Radio 3
1989 November 14 Wins Evening Standard Award for OTHELLO
1989 November 13 Sees Ian Charleson in HAMLET
1989 November 12 From the Front Line broadcast on BBC Radio 4
1989 August 31 COUNTDOWN TO WAR broadcast
1989 August 9 OTHELLO opens at The Other Place, Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-upon-Avon; The Young Vic, London,
1989 June 25 BENT revival opens at Adelphi Theatre, London
1989 May 26 Rights and Reactions (Gay Rights TV Documentary) broadcast on BBC Two
1989 May 20 Co-founds STONEWALL UK gay rights group
1989 May 13 Participates in entertainment/protests on the site of the Rose Theatre (13-14 May)
1989 March 3 SCANDAL opens
1989 January 31 Foundations of the Rose Theatre uncovered in London
1988 November 21 HENCEFORWARD opens at Vaudeville Theatre, London
1988 November 1 WINDMILL OF THE GODS broadcast
1988 October 19 THE WITCHES broadcast
1988 October 13 Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats transmitted on BBC Radio 4
1988 October 2 ACTING SHAKESPEARE (London 1988) opens at Playhouse Theatre, London
1988 May 24 Section 28 enacted in UK, prohibiting "promotion" of homosexuality. Ian McKellen addresses Lark in the Park protest in Edinburgh.
1988 April 16 ACTING SHAKESPEARE (Wilmington) opens at Delaware Theatre, Wilmington
1988 March 20 ACTING SHAKESPEARE (UK 1988) opens
1988 February 20 Joins march in Manchester to protest Section 28
1988 January 28 SCARFE'S FOLLIES broadcast on BBC Two
1988 January 27 Public "coming out" on BBC Radio 3
1987 December 11 ACTING SHAKESPEARE (London 1987) opens at Playhouse Theatre, London
1987 September Talks to Armistead Maupin and Terry Anderson in San Francisco about coming out.
1987 February 3 ACTING SHAKESPEARE begins USA Tour
1987 SULEYMAN THE MAGNIFICENT broadcast
1986 December 18 WILD HONEY (Broadway) opens at Virginia Theater, New York
1986 August 31 ACTING SHAKESPEARE opens at Olivier Theatre, London
1986 July 1 ZINA opens
1986 May 5 THE CHERRY ORCHARD (Chicago) opens at International Theatre Festival, Chicago
1986 February 2 "Strange Eventful History" at Cambridge Arts Theatre
1985 December 10 THE CHERRY ORCHARD opens at Cottesloe, London
1985 December 1 IAN MCKELLEN ACTING SHAKESPEARE broadcast
1985 October 20 IAN MCKELLEN'S DIARY OF A YEAR broadcast
1985 September 20 PLENTY opens
1985 September 12 THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND opens at Olivier, London
1985 September 12 THE CRITIC opens at Olivier, London
1985 September 1 A Tribute to Michael Redgrave at Old Vic, London
1985 August 4 DEAR AND HONOURED LADY broadcast
1985 July 4 THE DUCHESS OF MALFI opens at Lyttelton, Blackstone, London, Chicago
1985 January 13 A Night for Nicaragua at Piccadilly Theatre, London
1985 January 13 Curt Dawson dies of AIDS
1984 December 15 CORIOLANUS opens — first production at The Olivier Theatre, London
1984 September 23 Filming PLENTY at Foreign & Commonwealth Office in London
1984 August 13 ACTING SHAKESPEARE (Canada) opens
1984 July 19 WILD HONEY opens at Lyttelton, London
1984 April 24 The Actors are Come Hither broadcast on BBC Radio 4
1984 April 12 VENICE PRESERV'D or A Plot Discovered opens at Lyttelton, London (First Royal National Theatre appearance)
1984 February 15 BARNES' MEN broadcast on BBC Radio 3
1984 January 22 ACTING SHAKESPEARE (Oxford) opens at Oxford Playhouse, Oxford
1983 December 25 SIR THOMAS MORE broadcast on BBC Radio 3
1983 December 16 THE KEEP opens
1983 December 5 ACTING SHAKESPEARE (US 1983) opens at Westwood Playhouse (LA)
1983 December Meets Rafe Esquith and Hobart Shakespeareans
1983 November 4 ACTING SHAKESPEARE (Paris) opens at Petit Odeon / Odeon Theatre, Paris
1983 July 4 COWARDICE opens at Ambassadors', Richmond
1983 May 16 ACTING SHAKESPEARE (Warsaw) opens at Ateneum Theatre, Warsaw
1983 March 11 SHORT LIST opens at Hampstead Theatre, London, NW1
1983 January 24 ACTING SHAKESPEARE (British Council 1983 Tour) opens
1982 November 28 "To Cambridge With Love" at Barbican Theatre,
1982 November 9 THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL broadcast
1982 November 2 LOVING WALTER broadcast
1982 June 24 EVERY GOOD BOY DESERVES FAVOUR opens
1982 April 26 ACTING SHAKESPEARE (PBS) broadcast on PBS at 9:00pm
1982 April 22 ACTING SHAKESPEARE (Washington DC) opens at Folger Theatre, Washington, DC
1982 April 18 ACTING SHAKESPEARE (1982 tour) opens
1982 THE DIARY OF A NOBODY WRITER broadcast
1982 Moves to Limehouse, Docklands, London
1981 November 11 PRIEST OF LOVE opens at Cinema II in New York
1981 November 8 Leaves Broadway run of AMADEUS
1981 October 11 PRIEST OF LOVE opens
1981 October 4 ACTING SHAKESPEARE (Second Stage Benefit) opens at Broadhurst Theatre, New York
1981 June 7 Wins Tony for AMADEUS
1981 April 26 ACTING SHAKESPEARE (Globe Benefit) opens at Broadhurst Theatre, New York
1980 December 17 AMADEUS opens at Broadhurst, New York
1980 November 4 AMADEUS opens at National Theatre, Washington DC
1980 September 27 Rehearsals begin for AMADEUS
1980 July 20 Eagle in New Mexico at Paolo Soleri Theatre, Santa Fe, New Mexico USA
1980 March 3 ACTING SHAKESPEARE (British Council Scandinavian Tour) opens
1980 February 12 DYING DAY broadcast
1980 January 27 THREE SISTERS (1965) Rebroadcast on BBC Radio 3
1979 December 20 A DOLL'S HOUSE broadcast on BBC Radio 3
1979 November 16 ACTING CHAT SHOW opens at Arts Theatre, Belfast
1979 July 24 Marches with cast of BENT in London in support of British Actors' Equity
1979 July 21 WORDS, WORDS, WORDS broadcast (first of five parts)
1979 June 16 Awarded CBE
1979 June 11 "Gran Gala Per L'Europa" at Teatro Lirico, Milan
1979 May 9 EVERY GOOD BOY DESERVES FAVOUR (TV) Broadcast
1979 May 3 BENT opens at Royal Court, London
1979 January 7 FAME IS THE SPUR (Radio) First of eight episodes transmitted
1979 January 5 MACBETH (TV) broadcast
1978 December 11 JACKANORY (first of four parts) broadcast
1978 September Signs with agent Jimmy Sharkey
1978 August Meets Sean Mathias in Edinburgh
1978 July 28 THREE SISTERS opens Small Scale tour of UK
1978 July 18 IS THERE HONEY STILL FOR TEA? opens Small Scale tour of UK
1978 July 13 TWELFTH NIGHT opens Small Scale Tour
1978 April 27 Homage to Neruda opens University of London: Senate House,
1978 April 23 ACTING SHAKESPEARE (Ipswich) opens at Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich
1978 February 5 A MISERABLE AND LONELY DEATH opens at Donmar Warehouse
1978 EVERY GOOD BOY DESERVES FAVOUR broadcast
1977 November 11 ACTING SHAKESPEARE (Belfast) opens at Arts Theatre, Belfast
1977 November 1 THE DAYS OF THE COMMUNE opens at Aldwych Theatre, London
1977 August 28 ACTING SHAKESPEARE opens at St. Cecilia's Hall, Edinburgh
1977 July 27 PILLARS OF THE COMMUNITY opens at Aldwych Theatre, London
1977 July 1 EVERY GOOD BOY DESERVES FAVOUR opens at Barbican Concert Hall, London
1977 May 19 THE ALCHEMIST opens at Other Place, Stratford-upon- Avon
1977 January 17 "Won't You Charleston?" at Hilton Hotel, Stratford-upon- Avon
1976 November 22 Celebrity Gala Recital at Aldwych Theatre, London
1976 September 22 Recital of poems by Yevgeni Yevtushenko at Royal Festival Hall, London
1976 September 5 WORDS, WORDS, WORDS opens
1976 August 25 Atlantic Affairs at Shakespeare Institute, Stratford-upon- Avon
1976 July 9 MACBETH opens at Other Place, Stratford-upon-avon
1976 June 1 THE WINTER'S TALE opens at RST, Stratford-upon-Avon
1976 April 25 Shakespeare Birthday Celebrations Concert at Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
1976 March 29 ROMEO AND JULIET opens at Stratford-upon-Avon
1975 October 21 TOO TRUE TO BE GOOD opens at Aldwych Theatre and The Globe, London
1975 July 13 THE JOURNALISTS (rehearsed reading) at Jackson’s Lane Community Centre,
1975 June 11 ASHES opens at Young Vic, London
1975 April 29 THE CLANDESTINE MARRIAGE opens at Savoy, London
1975 January 9 KING JOHN opens at Aldwych Theatre, London
1974 November 19 THE MARQUIS OF KEITH opens at Aldwych Theatre, London
1974 August 12 DR FAUSTUS opens at Edinburgh Festival
1974 March 26 'TIS PITY SHE'S A WHORE (Wimbledon) opens at Wimbledon Theatre,
1974 February 2 KING LEAR opens at Brooklyn Academy of Music
1974 HEDDA GABLER broadcast
1974 HENRY VI (Parts 1, 2, and 3) broadcast
1973 December 18 KNOTS opens at Edinburgh
1973 December 1 GRACELESS GO I broadcast
1973 November 18 THE RECRUITING OFFICER (TV) broadcast
1973 October 1 CRAVEN ARMS (COUNTRY MATTERS) broadcast
1973 August 21 THE WOOD DEMON opens UK Tour
1973 August 14 THE WAY OF THE WORLD opens UK Tour
1973 January 15 A PRIVATE MATTER opens at Vaudeville, London
1972 December 4 Bichu the Jaguar (Radio) first of ten daily parts
1972 October 17 THE THREE ARROWS opens at Arts, Cambridge
1972 September 4 'TIS PITY SHE'S A WHORE opens UK Tour/Edinburgh
1972 August 22 RULING THE ROOST opens UK Tour/Edinburgh
1972 July 10 Rehearsals begin for RULING THE ROOST, first Actors' Company play
1972 April 9 THE LAST JOURNEY broadcast
1972 April 1 THE ERPINGHAM CAMP opens at Palace Theatre, Watford
1972 March 31 Poems for Good Friday (Radio)
1972 February 1 THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND opens at Phoenix, Leicester
1972 Relationship with Brian "Brodie" Taylor "changes"
1972 Moves to 17 Camberwell Grove, London
1971 November 14 Co-founds The Actors Company with Edward Petherbridge and 11 other actors
1971 November 10 THE SWAN SONG opens at Crucible, Sheffield
1971 November First meeting of Actors' Company
1971 August 7 DESERT ISLAND DISCS (Radio)
1971 March 23 HAMLET opens UK/European Tour
1971 7 March HENRY VI (Radio) broadcast (first of two parts)
1971 January 17 A SORT OF LEGEND broadcast
1971 January 12 Visits 10 Downing Street, with other members of Equity, to prsesent petition against Industrial Relations Bill
1970 October 25 CHIPS WITH EVERYTHING opens UK Tour
1970 October 18 ROSS broadcast
1970 October 6 THE RECRUITING OFFICER opens UK Tour
1970 August 24 A PROVINCIAL LIFE broadcast
1970 August 2 EDWARD II broadcast
1970 July 27 RICHARD II broadcast
1970 June 30 BILLY'S LAST STAND opens at Theatre Upstairs: Royal Court, London
1970 April 26 "An Evening of Free Greek Music & Drama" at Royal Albert Hall, London
1970 April 26 TO LENINGRAD WITH LOVE (TV Special) broadcast
1970 April 6 ROMEO AND JULIET broadcast
1970 March 1 KEATS broadcast
1969 December 1 THE PROMISE (Film) opens
1969 October 20 THE PROMISE (Radio) transmission
1969 August 28 EDWARD II opens at Edinburgh Festival
1969 August 18 A TOUCH OF LOVE/THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH opens
1969 July 20 WHAT IF IT'S JUST GREEN CHEESE? broadcast
1969 July 14 ALFRED THE GREAT opens
1969 July 1 THREE MONTHS GONE opens at Liverpool Playhouse, Liverpool
1969 May 20 THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE opens at Liverpool Playhouse, Liverpool
1969 April 29 THE BACCHAE opens at Liverpool Playhouse, Liverpool
1968 November 1 RICHARD II opens UK Tour
1968 October 6 "Art Reflected" at Purcell Room, South Bank, London
4 August 1968 HAY FEVER (TV) broadcast
1968 June 9 THE FLIES (Radio) broadcast
1968 February 13 THE SEAGULL broadcast
1968 February 1 THE WHITE LIARS / BLACK COMEDY opens at Lyric, London
1967 November 23 RICHARD III radio broadcast
1967 November 3 THE PROMISE opens at Henry Miller’s, New York
1967 July 28 Sexual Offenses Act of 1967 receives royal assent to partially decriminalize male homosexual acts in private in England and Wales, setting age of consent at 21
1967 May 27 THE FIRST ST. JOAN broadcast
1967 March 19 Noël Coward sees THE PROMISE
1967 March 17 KING EDWARD II (Radio) transmitted on Network Three
1967 January 17 THE PROMISE opens at Fortune Theatre, London
1967 In Rome for screen test for BARBARELLA and "a spaghetti Western"
1967 Living at 25 Earls Terrace, London
1966 December 11 HEDDA GABLER broadcast
1966 December 2 HENRY VIII broadcast
1966 November 21 THE PROMISE (My Poor Marat) opens at Oxford Playhouse, London
1966 September 14 THE MAN OF DESTINY / O'FLAHERTY VC opens at Mermaid, London
1966 July Filming THE BELLS OF HELL GO TING-A-LING-A-LING (never completed or released)
1966 June 6 A LILY IN LITTLE INDIA (Radio) transmitted
1966 May 19 THEIR VERY OWN AND GOLDEN CITY opens at Royal Court, London
1966 February 13 DAVID COPPERFIELD (BBC-TV) broadcast (fifth of thirteen weekly episodes)
1966 February 11 ELECTRA (Radio) broadcast
1966 EDWARD II recording released
1966 HENRY V recording released
1965 November 22 A LILY IN LITTLE INDIA opens at Hampstead Theatre Club and St Martin's, London
1965 November 10 THE TRIAL AND TORTURE OF SIR JOHN RAMPAYNE broadcast
1965 July 13 TRELAWNEY OF THE "WELLS" opens at Chichester Festival
1965 July 6 ARMSTRONG'S LAST GOODNIGHT opens at Chichester Festival
1965 May 31 SONS AND LOVERS broadcast (first of five weekly installments)
1965 May 24 THREE SISTERS broadcast
1965 February 16 MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING opens at Old Vic, London
1965 February 16 MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING broadcast
1965 February 7 SUNDAY OUT OF SEASON broadcast
1964 October 7 Father dies of injuries from car crash of 3 October 1964
1964 October 3 Father and stepmother Gladys injured in car accident
1964 September 30 A SCENT OF FLOWERS opens at Duke of York's, London
1964 August 9 Episode of KIPLING: THE TOMB OF HIS ANCESTORS broadcast (First appearance on TV)
1964 June 10 SIR THOMAS MORE opens at Nottingham Playhouse, Nottingham
1964 April 15 SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY MORNING opens at Nottingham Playhouse, Nottingham
1964 March 11 THE MAYOR OF ZALAMEA opens at Nottingham Playhouse, Nottingham
1964 February 12 THE BASHFUL GENIUS opens at Nottingham Playhouse, Nottingham
1964 January 8 THE LIFE IN MY HANDS opens at Nottingham Playhouse, Nottingham
1963 December 12 CORIOLANUS opens at Nottingham Playhouse, Nottingham
1963 Meets Brian "Brodie" Taylor, teacher, at Bolton Little Theatre; they become lovers for next 8 years
1963 October 8 ALL IN GOOD TIME opens at Arts Theatre, Ipswich, Suffolk
1963 September 24 SERJEANT MUSGRAVE’S DANCE opens at Arts Theatre, Ipswich, Suffolk
1963 September 10 THE PUBLIC EYE opens at Arts Theatre, Ipswich, Suffolk
1963 August 20 THE CORN IS GREEN opens at Arts Theatre, Ipswich, Suffolk
1963 July 30 SALAD DAYS opens at Arts Theatre, Ipswich, Suffolk
1963 July 16 I, JOHN BROWN opens at Arts Theatre, Ipswich, Suffolk
1963 July 2 TO DOROTHY A SON opens at Arts Theatre, Ipswich, Suffolk
1963 June 18 LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT opens at Arts Theatre, Ipswich, Suffolk
1963 May 13 THE BIG CONTRACT opens at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
1963 April 9 LUTHER opens at Arts Theatre, Ipswich, Suffolk
1963 March 29 Elspeth Cochrane, first agent, agrees to represent him
1963 March 12 ARSENIC AND OLD LACE opens at Arts Theatre, Ipswich, Suffolk
1963 February 26 UNDER MILK WOOD opens at Arts Theatre, Ipswich, Suffolk
1963 February 5 HENRY V opens at Arts Theatre, Ipswich, Suffolk
1963 January 16 "How Dare We!" at Arts Theatre, Ipswich, Suffolk
1962 December 26 ALADDIN & HIS WONDERFUL LAMP opens at Arts Theatre, Ipswich, Suffolk
1962 December 4 DAVID COPPERFIELD opens at Arts Theatre, Ipswich, Suffolk
1962 November 19 THE KEEP opens at Arts Theatre, Ipswich, Suffolk
1962 November 5 THE AMOROUS PRAWN opens at Arts Theatre, Ipswich, Suffolk
1962 October 22 THE BIG KILLING opens at Arts Theatre, Ipswich, Suffolk
1962 October 8 CASTE opens at Arts Theatre, Ipswich, Suffolk
1962 September 24 THE GAZEBO opens at Arts Theatre, Ipswich, Suffolk
1962 September 11 BECKET opens at Arts Theatre, Ipswich, Suffolk
1962 June 8 SEMI-DETACHED opens at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
1962 June 4 NOAH opens at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
1962 April 23 THE IRREGULAR VERB TO LOVE opens at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
1962 April 2 TEN LITTLE N****RS opens at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
1962 March 20 "Happy Returns" at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
1962 March 6 MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING opens at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
1962 February 12 THE BRIDE COMES BACK opens at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
1962 January 29 THE SEAGULL opens at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
1961 December 23 TOAD OF TOAD HALL opens at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
1961 December 6 MR. PICKWICK opens at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
1961 December Elspeth Cochrane, later to become first agent, sees END OF CONFLICT
1961 November 27 END OF CONFLICT opens at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
1961 November 13 CELEBRATION opens at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
1961 November 10 "Midnight Matinee" at Coventry Theatre
1961 October 16 BLACK COFFEE opens at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
1961 October 9 YOU NEVER CAN TELL opens at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
1961 September 18 WHEN WE ARE MARRIED opens at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
1961 September 4 A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS opens at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
1961 September Meets "first grown-up boyfriend," Curt Dawson
1961 August 22 Joins Belgrade Theatre Company, Coventry
1961 August 14 CAESAR AND CLEOPATRA opens at Playhouse, Oxford
1961 August 1 THE LARK opens at Cambridge Arts Theatre Playhouse, Oxford
1961 June 8 THE COUNTRY WIFE opens at ADC Theatre, Cambridge
1961 March 14 HENRY VI PARTS 2 AND 3 opens at Cambridge Arts Theatre
1961 January 24 THE BIRTHDAY PARTY opens at ADC Theatre, Cambridge
1960 November 1 CARDS OF IDENTITY opens at ADC Theatre, Cambridge
1960 October 3 THE WILD DUCK opens at Cambridge Arts Theatre
1960 September 27 TWELFTH NIGHT opens at Cambridge Arts Theatre
1960 July 25 DR FAUSTUS opens at Cambridge Arts Theatre Stratford-upon-Avon Open Air Theatre Lyric Opera House Hammersmith, London,
1960 July 25 FRIAR BACON AND FRIAR BUNGAY opens at Cambridge Arts Theatre Stratford-upon-Avon Open Air Theatre Lyric Opera House Hammersmith, London,
1960 June 10 LULLABY OF PARK STREET opens at ADC, Cambridge
1960 June 9 THE DUENNA opens at ADC Theatre, Cambridge
1960 June Graduates St. Catharine's College, Cambridge B.A. Hons (2.2)
1960 March 8 CYMBELINE opens at Cambridge Arts Theatre
1960 HENRY IV PART 2 recording released
1960 A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM recording released
1959 November 10 SIX CHARACTERS IN SEARCH OF AN AUTHOR opens at ADC Theatre, Cambridge
1959 October 13 SAINT'S DAY opens at ADC Theatre, Cambridge
1959 July 27 THE THREE SISTERS opens at Cambridge Arts Theatre
1959 May 1 LOVE'S LABOURS opens at ADC Theatre
1959 April 28 DEUTSCHES HAUS opens at ADC Theatre Cambridge
1959 March 11 Decides to pursue a career as an actor, following good review from Alan Dent
1959 March 10 HENRY IV PART 2 opens at Cambridge Arts Theatre
1959 March Invited by John Barton to join The Marlowe Society
1959 February 3 A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY opens at ADC Theatre, Cambridge
1958 November 27 CAMINO REAL opens at ADC Theatre, Cambridge
1958 October 28 THE APPLECART opens at ADC Theatre, Cambridge
1958 September 30 Begins first term at St. Catharine's College, Cambridge, joins Amateur Dramatic Club
1958 September 17 Article published in Bolton Evening News
1958 February Interview with Tom Henn, don at St. Catharine's College, Cambridge, who awards him an exhibition
1958 ANTONY & CLEOPATRA recording released
1957 September 3 Wolfenden Report published, recommending decriminalization of homosexual behaviour between consenting adults in private
1957 August 4 Sees Peggy Ashcroft as Imogen (Stratford, afternoon and evening perfs)
1957 June Summer camp, Saundersfoot South Wales
1957 Sees Ralph Lynn in ROOKERY NOOK, Llandudno
1957 Sees John Gielgud in THE TEMPEST
1956 September Enters Wigan Grammar School
1956 July Stratford Camp for Sixth Formers (sees four plays by Shakespeare at Memorial Theatre)
1956 Paternal grandfather, William Henry McKellen, dies
1955 November Sees John Gielgud in KING LEAR, Manchester Opera House
1954 Father marries Gladys Abraham in Friends Meeting House Liverpool
1953 March 5 Sees "Great Irish Tenor" Josef Locke perform
1953 Maternal grandfather, James Sutcliffe, dies
1952 December Reads news stories about Christine Jorgensen, one of the first people to have sex reassignment surgery
1952 June Mother dies of breast cancer
1952 March 13 Bolton School presents A Programme of Plays at Hopefield Minature Theatre, March 13 and 15
1951 December Sees Dick Emery as a young Dame in HUMPTY DUMPTY, Bolton Theatre Royal
1951 September Enters Bolton School
1951 July Family move to 34 Barrow Bridge Road, Bolton
1951 March 23 Shows at home (23 & 27)
1951 March 2 Sees Ballet Rambert, Southport
1951 Blackpool Garden Party
1951 Classmate commits suicide
1950 December Sees CINDERELLA ON ICE, Ritz Cinema, Wigan — gets onstage
1950 Sees BABES IN THE WOOD, Palace Theatre, Manchester
1949 August 25 Sees KINGS RHAPSODY, Palace Theatre, Manchester
1948 December 25 Beechwood Court: Received Pollock's Toy Theatre, Christmas Gift from Parents
1948 Sees Glasgow Orpheus Choir, got conductor Hugh Roberton's autograph
1947 Sees Belle Vue Circus
1946 December 31 Awakened to perform Tennyson for guests (Hope Street Choir) at home
1946 Mother appears on stage, Wigan
1943 Enters Dicconson Street Wesleyan Primary
1942 December Sees first theatre production: PETER PAN, Palace Theatre, Manchester
1942 Hospitalised for diptheria
1939 September Family move to 17 Parson's Walk, Wigan
1939 May 25 Born 8.30pm, General Hospital, Burnley, Lancashire, UK
1934 May 20 Sister, Jean Lois, married name Jean Jones (1934-2003), born in Watford
1931 September 10 Parents married, Hatherlow Church in Romiley, Cheshire, UK
1905 December Father, Denis Murray McKellen (1905-1964), born in Stockport, Cheshire, UK
1905 August 25 Mother, Margery Lois Sutclifffe (1905-1952), born in Salford, UK
1904 September Paternal grandparents, William Henry McKellen (Hal) and Alice Beatrice Murray (Lal), married, Barton-on Irwell, Salford
1891 Paternal grandmother, Alice Beatrice Murray (Lal) (1881- 1937), born in Scotland
1872 Maternal grandfather, James Sutcliffe (1872-1953), born in Lancashire, UK
1870 Paternal grandfather, William Henry McKellen (1870- 1956), born in Manchester, UK
1869 Maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Dora Bannister (1869- 1907), born in Fulwood, Lancashire, UK
1840 Paternal great-grandfather, James McKellen (1840-1877), born in Ireland
1797 Paternal great-great grandfather, James McKellen (1797- 1843) born in Ireland