14 DAY TRIAL // Well known actor Ian McKellen, who plays the role of Gandalf the wizard in both “Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit,” had an unusual performance during the annual Only Make Believe Charity Gala.
The 74 year-old actor stripped down on stage, showing off his personalized Gandalf undies. During his performance, dressed up as a marathon runner, Sir Ian McKellen got rid of his purple hat, pink tank top and gold colored shorts to reveal his white “skivvies decorated with an image of himself as 'LOTR' wizard Gandalf,” according to the New York Post.
The fun didn't stop here because, while his undergarments were personalized on the back with an image of Gandalf from “Lord of the Rings,” below the image you could read his famous phrase “You Shall Not Pass.”
Without a doubt, Sir Ian caused a real riot with his joke, but it's not like he's not known for his strong sense of humor.
After his unlikely tribute to Gandalf, Sir Ian rapidly slipped into a suit and tie, while still on stage, and honored actress Susan Saradon with The Sir Ian McKellen Award for her activism and philanthropy with the Only Make Believe organization.
Only Make Believe is a non-profit organization focused on offering children in hospitals and health facilities interactive theater in order to help with their healing process. The organization has been functioning since 1999 and hosts an annual charity gala to raise funds for their goal and to award their most active contributors.
Big fan of “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy Alex Karp, also honored at the gala with The OMB Founders' Award, received from McKellen part of his Gandalf costume and some gold coins from the films.
There has been a lot of buzz around the second "Hobbit" film, "Desolation of Smaug," in recent days, what with the release of the new extended trailer, Ed Sheeran's song "I See Fire" from the movie's soundtrack, and, now, Ian McKellen poking fun at his wizard character Gandalf.