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"I do not dislike spiders particulary, and have no urge to kill them. I usually rescue those whom I find in the bath!"
-- J.R.R. Tolkien |
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JRRTolkien.net Character List
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GANDALF
Details:
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Character Name:
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Gandalf, Mythrandir, Stormcrow
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Actor Name:
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Ian McKellen
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Date of Birth:
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May 25, 1939
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Place of Birth:
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Burnley, England
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Links:
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Interviews:
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Character Bio:
Gandalf is one of the 'ISTARI', a brotherhood
of wizards sent to Middle Earth by Valar from the Undying Lands into
the mortal world in the form of a man. His purpose like other 'ISTARI'
is to guide the free people of Middle Earth in their fight against
the growing evil of the Dark Lord, Sauron. Though a powerful wizard,
Gandalf in his human form, is limited only to those powers known to
Middle earth. The color gray refers to his power and rank among the
'ISTARI', white being the highest rank. Gandalf is a close friend
to Bilbo and then to Frodo. It is he who reveals to Frodo the dark
power and danger of the 'ring'. Gandalf is chosen to lead the Fellowship
who's mission is to destroy the 'ring' before it falls into Sauron's
hands. Gandalf was a member of the White Council -- along with Saruman, Radagast and the two Blue Wizards, one of the Istari. He was called Tharkûn by the Dwarves, Incánus in the South, Olórin in the West(Valinor), and Mithrandir by the Elves.
He came to Middle Earth -- along with the rest of the Istari, and just like the others he too
took the form of a wise old man to aid the Free People in their fight against Evil.
Gandalf helped win the War of the Rings. During that war his spirit left his body after having fought a Balrog in Moria, but he returned to continue his fight against Sauron's and Saruman's forces of Evil.
Gandalf carried one of the three Elven Rings, Narya, Ring of Fire, which was given to him by Círdan the Shipwright upon his arrival in the Grey Havens. Círdan realized that it would aid Gandalf in his battle against Evil.
In Valinor Gandalf (or Olórin as he was called there) spent a great deal of time with Nienna, and from her he learnt a lot about compassion and patience.
Gandalf was born approximately 12000 (maybe even more) years before The Lord of The Rings takes place. He was a Maia (which are basically "Angels" created by Illuvatar), as was the Balrog he faught in Moria, as was Sauron.
While Gandalf was not as powerful as Sauron, he certainly possessed a far greater power than he ever dared show in Middle Earth.
After the War of the Ring Gandalf returned to Valinor (together with Frodo, Bilbo, Elrond, Galadriel), it is unknown what happened afterwards.
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Actor Bio:
| Born May 25th, 1939,
in the small town of Burnley in northern England to parents, Denis
and Margery. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts in 1961, and began his
stage career in earnest. He is a Shakespearean actor who has made
forays into the film world, starting with roles in 1969's The Promise,
Alfred the Great and Thank You All Very Much McKellen. He had gained
a reputation for his bold, emotionally powerful portrayals of characters
ranging from Richard II to Napoleon to Hamlet. His film career resumed
with 1981's Priest of Love (as D. H. Lawrence), The Keep (1983), Plenty,
Zina (both 1985), and probably his most notable role, as Cabinet Minister
John Profumo in Scandal (1989). His numerous stage credits include
the world premiere of "Bent," "Amadeus" (for which
he won a 1981 Tony), and his celebrated one-man show "Ian McKellen
Acting Shakespeare." He was knighted in 1991 for his efforts
in the arts. However it has only been recently that his star has finally
begun to shine in the eyes of North American audiences. Roles in various
films,"Cold Comfort Farm" "Apt Pupil" and "Gods
and Monsters", riveted audiences. The latter in particular created
a sensation in Hollywood, and McKellen's role garnered him several
of awards and nominations, including a Golden Globe and an Oscar Nod.
McKellen continues to work extensively on stage..... |
Actor Commentary:
| "...it was a rattling
good part. There’s humor there and, although he’s immortal,
there’s a lot of humanity. There’s a chance to twinkle.
He gets very stern. He shouts a bit. He’s very wise. He has a
fight or two. There was a lot to do in the part! I think perhaps the
enormity of the adventure was appealing, too." |
Filmography:
X2 (2003) .... Magneto
X-Men (2000) .... Magneto
David Copperfield (1999) (TV) .... Mr. Creakle
Apt Pupil (1998) .... Kurt Dussander
Gods and Monsters (1998) .... James 'Mr. Jimmy' Whale
Bent (1997) .... Uncle Freddie
Swept from the Sea (1997) .... Dr. James Kennedy
Bit of Scarlet, A (1997) .... Narrator
Rasputin (1996) (TV) .... Tsar Nicholas II
Restoration (1995) .... Will Gates
Richard III (1995) .... Richard, Duke of Gloucester
Jack and Sarah (1995) .... William
Thin Ice (1995) .... Himself
Cold Comfort Farm (1995) (TV) .... Amos Starkadder
I'll Do Anything (1994) .... John Earl McAlpine
To Die for (1994) (voice) .... Quilt Documentary Narrator
Shadow, The (1994) .... Dr. Reinhardt Lane
Ballad of Little Jo, The (1993) .... Percy Corcoran
Six Degrees of Separation (1993) .... Geoffrey
And the Band Played On (1993) (TV) .... Bill Kraus
Last Action Hero (1993) .... Death
"Tales of the City" (1993) (mini) TV Series .... Archibald
Anson Gidde
Countdown to War (1989) (TV) .... Adolf Hitler
Scandal (1989) .... John Profumo
Windmills of the Gods (1988) (TV) .... Chairman
Walter and June (1986) .... Walter
Zina (1985) .... Kronfeld
Plenty (1985) .... Sir Andrew Charleson
"Playing Shakespeare" (1984) (mini) TV Series .... Himself
Keep, The (1983) .... Dr. Theodore Cuza
Dying Day (1982) (TV) .... Antony Skipling
Scarlet Pimpernel, The (1982) (TV) .... Chauvelin
Priest of Love (1981) .... D. H. Lawrence
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