who played gandolf in the lord of the rings
Ian McKellen
Gandalf
Ian McKellen portrayed Gandalf in "The Lord of the Rings" 
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Gandalf [SEP] Adaptations
Ian McKellen portrayed Gandalf in "The Lord of the Rings" film series (2001–2003), directed by Peter Jackson, after Sean Connery and Patrick Stewart both turned down the role. According to Jackson, McKellen based his performance as Gandalf on Tolkien himself: