Ian McKellen Fansite

British master actor Ian McKellen is a classic actor. Most of his roles have featured around serious, rather tragic characters, and he plays the parts well. But can he play a more comedic role as well?

Apparently he can, and all it takes is for Sir Ian to play himself. In a cameo role for the British smash-hit comedy series Extras, McKellen advises main extra Andy Millman (played by The Office boss Ricky Gervais) on how he achieves his award-winning performances.

In the skit McKellen offers simple advice: directors tell him to play a part, and he then pretends to be that person. He reads his lines from a script and stands where he’s told to stand. He imparts all this obvious knowledge as though it’s arcane in nature, proving that even in seriousness McKellen can make a mockery of himself for a few laughs.

Here’s a clip of Ian Mckellen in Extras: