Ian McKellen
Sir Ian McKellen celebrated his 70th birthday in flamboyant style - by taking 25 of his friends to see a West End show.
The legendary actor reached the milestone age on Monday (25May09) and to mark the occasion he treated a group of his pals to an evening out in London to watch comedy musical La Cage aux Folles.
And McKellen received an extra special surprise during the performance as dancers singled him out for a kiss when they ventured into the audience during one scene, leaving the X-Men star with a red lipstick mark on his forehead.
After the show, the La Cage aux Folles cast presented him with a cake at a private party in the theater.
McKellen is one of the UK's finest actors to ever grace the theatre and big screen in a career that has spanned over forty years.
Over the years he has won a string of theatre awards, including a Tony Award and an Olivier Award as well as being nominated for an Oscar for his role as Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings.
He ventured onto the small screen in the last couple of years appearing on Coranation Street, a career ambition for the actor, and he will reprise his role as Gandalf in The Hobbit.
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