Ian Mckellen Quotes

I used to beg for auditions. Now, they're being thrown at me.

If you can figure out my success on the screen, you're a better man than I.

I'd always wanted to act, but it was a question of whether acting wanted me and whether the movies wanted me.

I do want to be in mainstream movies that are going to be seen. I suppose it satisfies the showbiz side of me.

The music led to the acting. But movies aren't something you can just will yourself into. Someone has to choose you, and you have to be quite fortunate to be chosen.

Would I like to be the lead girl? Who wouldn't?

I always say: you're not going to find Hollywood. Hollywood will find you! But I'm ready for it: for Hollywood, for Bollywood, for everything!

Oh, what a shock. My career must be slipping. This is the first time I've been available to pick up an award.

The way it works in Hollywood is that if you're hot it doesn't matter if you're right for the part or not, you're just offered it.

I never forget the first time I was on 'Top of the Pops', my bass player said: 'You've made it!' I did used to think, when I was younger, that I'd be on there one day.

Working on 'Girls' opened up a lot of opportunity for me. It's like a dream job. It's a dream.

Every time an Oscar is given out, an agent gets his wings.

Black or white good parts are hard to come by. A good actor with a good opportunity has a shot; without the opportunity it doesn't matter how good you are.

Had I pursued a film career in Los Angeles, I'm not sure I would have had the fortune that I've had.

I'm glad that I didn't get a part in 'Scream 2' and become a star in 1995.

There are lot of people who speak about superstardom, but I'd like to say that it's not about any individual - it's about the opportunity.

I feel since people have started noticing me and enjoying my performance, and considering the kind of love I've got in 2017-18, many feel that I have arrived, because there's a belief that I can probably carry a film on my shoulders now.

You never know what ultimately will give traction to being a star.

I like different actors for different reasons. There are people like Tom Cruise, who have continued to stay on top of their game, and Hugh Jackman, for being one of the hardest working people in Hollywood.

The thing I always say is that I wasn't going out reaching for roles, I wasn't fighting for roles - people came to me. They always came to me.

A good role comes along, and a good role is a good role.

You can't ignore the system and the power you acquire as an actor if you're in films that are successful.

Well, it was the beginning of my film career. It was amazing to me that I got nominated for an Academy Award.

I can't comprehend that I'm in the film of 'Les Miserables.' It's one of those dreams I thought would be unattainable for someone like me, who came from nowhere.

I just always loved to perform and I was lucky enough to be in front of the right people at the right time!