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.

Sir Ian McKellen made waves when he came out as gay in 1988, and encouraged other stars hiding their sexuality to take a brave step and 'get into the sunshine'

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

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.

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.

I feel sorry for any famous person who feels they can’t come out. Being in the closet is silly — there’s no need for it. Don’t listen to your advisers, listen to your heart. Listen to your gay friends who know better.

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.

English actor Ian McKellen called on closeted gay actors to “come out” and “get into the sunshine” in an interview published Sunday in The Times of London.

Ian McKellen is encouraging famous queer people to come out of the closet — and not everyone is taking too kindly to the suggestion. The legendary actor recently spoke with The Times about about Christopher Marlowe’s Edward II.