Ian McKellen reveals Star Wars actor Alec Guinness gave him the “worst advice” on LGBTQ politics. For those unversed, McKellen has always been a strong advocate for LGBTQ rights. Even at a time when it was taboo to discuss this openly. Notably, Guinness is best known for his role as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original Star Wars trilogy.
Ian McKellen opens up about the advice this Star Wars actor gave him on LGBTQ rights
Ian McKellen recalled the advice Star Wars actor Alec Guinness gave him on LGBTQ rights. In an interview with The Guardian, the interviewer asked, “What is the worst piece of advice you’ve ever been given?” McKellen recalled having an interesting meeting with Guinness in the ’80s. Interestingly, this was also the decade when the The Lord of the Rings star came out to the general public.
The veteran star shared, “He took me for an Italian lunch in Pimlico, where we chatted about this and that until he brought up the real reason for his invitation. He had heard about my work to establish Stonewall. A lobby group to present to the government and the world at large the case for treating UK lesbians and gays equally under the law with the rest of the population.”
“He thought it somewhat unseemly for an actor to dabble in public or political affairs and advised me, sort of pleaded with me, to withdraw. Advice from an older generation, which I didn’t follow,” he added.
Furthermore, McKellen explained that he was reminded of his encounter with the Star Wars actor. It was while watching the current tour of Two Halves of Guinness. Notably, it is a play allegedly inspired by the late actor’s life and career. “A solo show which hints at Sir Alec’s latent bisexuality in a way that would have upset him.” The 86-year-old actor added.
Originally written by Anwaya Mane on Mandatory.
