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Liberal politics is another bond between the men. McKellen, who came out as gay in 1988 (he and director Mathias lived together for eight years), has been active in Britain's gay-rights movement. Stewart, who grew up in a left-wing family, used to enjoy dropping the word socialist into dinner-party conversations in Beverly Hills just to get a reaction. Yet both of them accepted knighthoods (McKellen in 1991, Stewart in 2010), calling it a mark of respect for their profession--admission to an esteemed fraternity that includes Olivier, Gielgud, Guinness and so many others. (Several prominent actors, like Albert Finney and Paul Scofield, have turned it down.)
"I don't approve of titles. I think they get in the way," says McKellen. "I do however approve of medals for public service, and that's how I choose to look at it." There was also a political calculation. "I was in the throes of challenging the government to change their attitude to laws which put gay people at a disadvantage. And other actors [said to me], 'Please, we need a knighthood. Because when a knight knocks on a door of a government office, it has to open.' "
Their sojourn in America has taken their friendship in interesting new directions. In September, McKellen conducted the vows at Stewart's wedding--to Brooklyn singer-songwriter Sunny Ozell. He isn't exactly sure if he's qualified (he's been ordained online by the Universal Life Church), but it may have opened up new career prospects. McKellen recently got an offer of $1 million from "someone very famous" to officiate at his wedding.
"But I had to dress up as Gandalf," he says. "And Gandalf, of course, doesn't accept these occasions."