Sir Ian McKellen believes gay actors are still being advised to keep their sexualities hidden to avoid damaging career prospects

Sir Ian McKellen, who publicly came out at the age of 48 back in 1988, believes gay actors are still being advised to keep their sexualities hidden to avoid damaging their career prospects.

The British actor, 85, advised young gay actors in Hollywood to come out, stating that it is “silly” to remain closeted.

“I have never met anybody who came out who regretted it,” McKellen The Sunday Times. “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. Come out. Get into the sunshine.”.

Decrying the fact that an openly gay actor has never won an Oscar for Best Actor, McKellen compared the situation to the Premier League. There has never been an openly gay footballer playing in England’s top division.

“In women’s sport it’s not an issue,” McKellen said. “I would imagine young footballers are probably, like actors, getting very bad advice from agents who are worried about their own incomes.

“But the first Premier League footballer to come out will become the most famous footballer in the world, with all the agencies begging for his name on their products.”

Since coming out, McKellen has championed LGBTQ+ rights movements worldwide. He was awarded the Freedom of the City of London in October 2014. McKellen is a cofounder of Stonewall, the LGBTQ+ rights charity. He is also patron of LGBT History Month, Pride London, and LGBT Foundation.