Ian McKellen says he never got the chance to come out to his parents
"They didn't see me do my best work," the Oscar-nominated actor added.
Words: Jamie Tabberer; picture: BBC Films
Sir Ian McKellen has revealed he never got the chance to come out as gay to his parents.
The 81-year-old, speaking on an upcoming episode of The Jonathan Ross Show, nevertheless added: “I remember them with nothing but pleasure.”
The Lord of the Rings star’s mother Margery died when he was just 12, while his father Denis died when he was 22.
“They didn’t see me do my best work”
Appearing on the ITV show, the Oscar-nominated actor said he was close to his parents, or “as close as you can be when your mother dies at 12 and dad dies when you’re 22.”
The ‘Mr. Holmes’ star continued: “Never told them I was gay for example. Didn’t see me do any of my best work. But I remember them with nothing but pleasure.”
View this post on Instagram
Sir Ian, who didn’t come out publicly until 1988 at the age of 49, continued: “I never stopped talking about [my sexuality] since. Made up for lost time. It changes your life utterly… I discovered myself. And everything was better.
“My relationships with my family, with friends, with strangers, and my work got better as I wasn’t hiding anymore.
“Up to that point, my acting had really been about disguise and then when I could feel I was myself, it came about telling the truth, which was much more interesting.”
Catch Sir Ian on The Jonathan Ross Show tomorrow, Saturday 8 May at 9:35pm on ITV.
Read the Attitude Sex & Sexuality issue, out now.
Guarantee your François Sagat or Reno Gold cover in print by subscribing here using either code FRANCOIS or RENO.
Subscribe digitally to the Attitude mobile and tablet edition for just over £1 per issue (limited time only).
