When it comes to a career that’s netted him two Oscar nominations, a Tony, six Olivier Awards and a reputation as one of the preeminent Shakespearean actors of his generation, Ian McKellen usually has critics exhausting the superlatives. But he’s not immune to the rare bruising notice, and when that happens, he calls his friends.
“The best thing is to let everyone know that I’ve read it and they needn’t pussyfoot around it,” he says. “I know that I’ve been chastised.”