17th century author and churchman Thomas Fuller once said, "If you have one true friend, you have more than your share," a quote which is experiencing a new life via Instagram graphics and internet compilations of thoughtful or inspirational quotes. He may have been right, and Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen probably know this better than anybody. The pair of octogenarian actors first became close 20 years ago while playing adversaries in the 2000 film X-Men, and their friendship has continued to delight fans since then.
The obvious affection for one another is no doubt the biggest part of that - and it doesn't hurt that they're both total powerhouses (both knighted by Queen Elizabeth II) whose collaborations multiply their power exponentially and pretty much blow the roof off. If anyone knows what it means to be lifelong companions and treasured collaborators, it's these two. Get your tissues and be ready to happy-cry, because here are 10 times Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen were BFF goals.
10 When They Costarred In 'Waiting For Godot' On Broadway
Hailed by many as the greatest play of all time, Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot got even more of an upgrade with Patrick Stewart as Vladimir and Ian McKellen as Estragon. They played the roles together in London in 2009 before reconvening for a stint on Broadway in 2013. The show was run in rep with Harold Pinter's No Man's Land, though the Beckett half of the run was certainly the showstopper of the pair.
9 When Ian McKellen Presented Patrick Stewart With A Lifetime Achievement Award
The 41st Young Artist Academy awards gala was moved to YouTube last fall while COVID precluded an in-person ceremony. Patrick Stewart was receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, and who better to present it to him than his longtime companion and frequent collaborator Ian McKellen? In a touching tribute, Ian lauds Patrick's talent and character and waxes poetic about his friend's long and prosperous career.
8 When They Ran Wild In New York Together
For publicity for Waiting for Godot and No Man's Land at the Cort Theatre, the best friends took to the streets of New York, hitting all iconic landmarks and attractions and documenting it all on Instagram. They smiled with Elmo in Times Square, hustled across the Brooklyn Bridge, and chomped on Coney Island hot dogs in what has to be the sweetest photo series that ever was.
7 When Ian McKellen Married Patrick Stewart And His Wife
When Patrick Stewart married jazz singer Sunny Ozell, of course there was no one else for the job of officiant but Ian McKellen. Patrick Stewart recounts on Jimmy Kimmel Live how they realized at the last minute that Ian's officiant status was not recognized in Nevada, where the wedding was planned, so they headed to a Mexican restaurant (in California) and Ian performed the ceremony there. They did have an unofficial ceremony in Nevada later, and Ian's words were reportedly deeply moving.
6 When Patrick Stewart Admired Ian McKellen At The National Theatre
Patrick Stewart has frequently recounted seeing Ian McKellen act when they were both in the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford Upon Avon. He says that he was in awe of Ian's technique and control as an actor and was inspired by his work. Though they met at RSC during the '70s, it wasn't until 2000 that they became close, while working on the set of X-Men together.
5 When They Played 'The Newlywed Game' Together
At a Buzzfeed Brews event, the duo tested their knowledge about one another with a round of "The Newlywed Game." Their understanding of the game was tenuous at first, but they catch on quickly, and guess (mostly incorrectly) at each other's favorite foods, spirit animals, and more. They were cracking each other up, charming the audience with their sweet and silly banter.
4 When Ian McKellen Played Patrick Stewart's Fairy Godmother
During the Evening Standard Theatre Awards in London in 2016, Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen delighted the audience with a quirky skit during the ceremony. Patrick Stewart looked charming in his sharp suit, while Ian, ever the performer, dressed up as his fairy godmother with a gown, gloves, and even a tiara. We don't quite understand it, but the best friendships are the ones that probably look bizarre from the outside, right?
3 When They Kissed On The Red Carpet
No, the two aren't romantically involved. When Star Trek: Picard, in which Patrick Stewart reprised the titular role, premiered in the UK in 2020, Ian McKellen was there to support his best bud. He showed his affection and admiration for Patrick Stewart with a humorous display of reverence, jokingly kneeling humbly before him and then planting a kiss on his lips.
2 When Ian McKellen Performed A Sonnet For Patrick Stewart's Birthday
To see Ian Mckellen perform Shakespeare is to transcend this earthly plane. The knighted Shakespearean actor took to Instagram last summer to send his friend some birthday love, reciting Sonnet 81 ('or I shall live your epitaph to make'). Through the sonnet's lyrical, lilting lines, Ian is telling Patrick, essentially, "it doesn't matter which one of us goes first, my memories of you are so beautiful and powerful they will live on long after we die." Talk about a ride-or-die friend!
1 When They Did Their Best Impressions Of Each Other
Nobody can roast you like a best friend can, and Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen hold nothing back when it comes to teasing and ribbing each other. During the same Buzzfeed Brews event, they were asked to do their best impersonations of each other and the results are accurate and hilarious. They know each other inside out and can lovingly imitate the other to a tee!