When Sir Ian McKellen performed the first same-sex kiss on British TV in the 1970 BBC production of Christopher Marlowe’s Edward II, he was not yet out. In fact, it would be another 18 years before the Lord Of The Rings icon would come out as gay.

Sir Ian McKellen has some words of wisdom for his fellow actors. The “Lord of the Rings” star, who famously came out of the closet in 1988, encouraged other LGBTQ+ members of the acting community to open up and reveal their own sexual identities.

Ian McKellen — film and theatre legend, Gandalf the Grey, and absolute queer icon — is encouraging actors to “get into the sunshine” and not hide who they are.

Ian McKellen said in a new interview that he hopes more LGBTQ+ actors embrace their sexuality, explaining that 'being in the closet is silly.'

The Lord of the Rings star sat down with The Times London to discuss his experiences playing some of the most influential queer roles in British theatre over the years. In case you didn’t know, Ian publicly came out during a BBC radio interview at 48 years old in 1988 — a whole 25 years before gay marriage was legalized in the UK.

Ian McKellen said in a recent interview with The Times of London that he feels sorry for fellow actors who feel like they can’t come out as gay. The “X-Men” and “Lord of the Rings” icon has been one of the most prominent gay actors for decades.

Sir Ian McKellen "feels sorry" for celebrities who don't feel like they can come out as gay. The 85-year-old actor - who publicly came out aged 48 in 1988 - has urged fellow performers not to keep their own sexuality a secret.

Working with Evans, as well as gay actor Simon Russell Beale, who played the role in 1990, has McKellen reflecting on being out and in the spotlight. “You don’t have to be gay