The provided text offers an extensive Wikipedia entry detailing the life and career of Sir Ian McKellen, an esteemed English actor and cultural icon. This comprehensive overview covers his early life and education, tracing his theatrical beginnings through his scholarship to Cambridge and his early work in repertory and the West End. A significant portion of the text is dedicated to his distinguished career, highlighting his acclaimed work in classical theatre, including numerous roles with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre, as well as his transition to international stardom through major film franchises like X-Men and The Lord of the Rings. Finally, the entry outlines his personal life, noting his long-term partnerships and his extensive activism for LGBT rights, which he embraced publicly following the Section 28 controversy in the UK.