Gained the title of Best Actor of the Year at Society of West End Theatres Awards in 1978, 1979, and 1992.

Was offered the role of Professor Albus Dumbledore in "Harry Potter and The Prizoner of Azkaban" (2004) to replace Richard Harris following his death, but refused to take it.

Actually was billed to play Antonio in Michael Radford's direction of "The Merchant of Venice" (2004), but later dropped the role at the last minute because of scheduling conflicts.

Has acted together with Bruce Davison for 4 times up to 2003 in "Six Degrees of Separation" (1993), "Apt Pupil" (1998), "X-Men" (2000) and X- Men 2 (2003).

Was labeled U.K Personality of the Year by Variety in 2003.

Gained an OFCS Award nomination for the category of Best Supporting Actor in 2002 and a Teen Choice Award nomination for that of Choice Movie Villain in 2003.

Shared the Best Fight nomination with Christopher Lee at the 2002 MTV Movie Awards for his role in "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" (2001).

Has collected 4 Golden Satellite Award nominations up to year 2002, scoring two in 1997 while each in 1999 and 2002.

Was nominated in the category of Best British Actor at Empire Awards in 3 consecutive years that were from 2002 to 2004.

Became the only thespian from "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" (2001) to receive an acting Oscar nomination, in the category of Best Actor in a Supporting Role to be exact, at the 2002 event.

Was nominated for the category of Favorite Villain (Internet Only) at the 2001 Blockbuster Entertainment Awards through his role in "X-Men" (2000).

Turned down the role of Mission Commander Swanbeck "Mission: Impossible II" (2000) because of a prior theatre engagement in London.

Won the Best Actor category at the 1999 British Independent Film Awards, BFCA Awards, Chlotrudis Awards, FFCC Awards, KFCC Awards, and OFCS Awards for his role in "Gods and Monsters" (1998).

Got nominated in the category of Best Actor in a Leading Role at Academy Awards and of Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role at Screen Actors Guild Awards by 1999 for his role in "Gods and Monsters" (1998).

Won two out of three Best Supporting Actor nominations he gained from Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films in 1999, 2002, and 2004. He lost at the latter event.

Was selected to be in the board of the Royal National Theatre Company in 1998.

Acquired the title of Best Actor at NBR Awards, LAFCA Awards, SDFCS Awards, and San Sebastian International Film Festival in 1998 for his role in "Gods and Monsters" (1998).

Was bestowed an Outfest Achievement Award at L.A. Outfest and a TFCA Award of Best Performance, Male category in 1998.

Received a Lifetime Achievement Ovation Award from Theatre LA in 1998 and the Honorary Golden Berlin Bear at the 2006 Berlin International Film Festival.

Became the BAFTA Award nominee for Best Screenplay - Adapted category in 1997 and for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in 2004.

Brought home a Golden Globe Awards for winning the category of Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV in 1997 through his role in "Rasputin" (1996).

Landed Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role nomination at BAFTA Awards held in 1997 and 2002.

Gained an Audie Award in 1997 for being the Best Solo Performance and a Barclay's Theatre Award in 1999 for that of Best Supporting Performance.

Has become the Golden Globes nominee for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama category for 2 times that were in 1996 and 1999.

Earned the Best Actor nomination at Choltrudis Awards and European Film Awards in 1996 for his role in "Richard III" (1995). He won the former one.

Was presented by the Shakespeare Guild at the Folger Library, Washington, D.C the Golden Quill: the Sir John Gielgud Award for Excellence in the Dramatic Arts in May 1996.

Acquired nomination in the category of Supporting Actor in a Movie or Miniseries at 1995 CableACE Awards and of Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role at the 2005 Genie Awards. He won the former one.

Has twice been nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special category at Emmy Awards, the first being in 1994 while the second in 1996.

Obtained a Stephen F. Kolzak Award at the 1993 GLAAD Media Awards, a Maverick Tribute Award at the 2002 Cinequest San Jose Film Festival, and an Entertainment Personality Award at the 2003 British Independent Film Awards.

Served on Drama and Dance Panel advising the British Council and also on Development Council raising funds for the Royal National Theatre from 1991 to 1996.

Became the second Cameron Mackintosh Professor of Contemporary Theatre at University of Oxford in 1991.

Received Hon. DLitt Nottingham in 1989, Hon. DLitt Aberdeen in 1993, also the title of Doctor of Letters at Leeds University in 2004.

Obtained a Peabody Broadcasting Award and Elliot Norton Ward Award in 1988.

Earned the title of Best Actor for his performance onstage at the 1985 and 1989 London Evening Standard Awards, the 1989 London Critics' Circle Drama Theatre Awards, also at the 1985 and 1989 Laurence Olivier Awards.

Won a Peabody Award for Broadcasting in 1984 and Audie Award for Best Solo Performance in 1997.

Secured one RTS Television Award from Royal Television Society in 1983 for winning Best Performance category and an Independent Spirit Award in 1999 for becoming the Best Male Lead.

Was chosen the Performer of the Year by The Royal Television Society in 1982 for his enactment in "Walter" (1982).

Took home an Outer Critics Circle Award for being the Actor in a Play through his performance in "Amadeus" by year 1981.

Was honored NY Drama League Delia Austrian Medal for Most Distinguished Performance by an Actor or Actress on the Broadway Stage in 1980 for his stage performance in "Amadeus."

Was appointed Commander of the British Empire in 1979 then was knighted in 1990 for his services on performing arts, especially theatre.

Won the category of Comedy Performance of the Year at Society of West End Theatres Awards held in 1977 for his stage performance in "The Alchemist."

Has collected 3 Drama Desk Awards he obtained in 1974, 1981, and 1983 also 4 Plays & Players' London Theatre Critics Awards that he earned two in 1976 and each in 1983 plus 1984.

Established the Actors' Company with Edward Petherbridge in 1972.

Was included in the Council of British Actors' Equity during 1971-1972 and Chair of Iris Trust in 1989.

Received a Clarence Derwent Award in 1964 for winning the Best Supporting Actor of the Year category through his stage performance in "A Scent of Flowers."

Was the Head Boy of Bolton School during 1957-1958 and President of the Marlowe Society, Cambridge during 1960-1961.

Was named Best Actor of the Year in a Revival at Olivier Awards in 1977 and 1984 also European Actor of the Year at the 1996 Felix Awards.

Was given a fold-away Victorian theatre made of wood and Bakelite as a Christmas present at age 7.

Became the member of the Royal Shakespeare Company along with Patrick Stewart.

Wore an artificial nose when playing Gandalf in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.

Impersonated Maggie Smith in a "Weekend Update" skit when hosted an episode of "Saturday Night Live."

Has the same middle name with his predecessor in the role of Gandalf, Michael Murray Hordern, and his successor in the role of Antonio Salieri, F. Murray Abraham.

Is a benefactor of the London's Rose Theatre in London.

Initially intended to be a journalist.

Admitted to have an intense crush on Derek Jacobi when they studied together at Cambridge University.

Finished his study at Cambridge University with a 2:2 in English drama major.

Listened to a Tolkien's recording of reading Gandalf's lines from the novel "The Lord of Ring" and imitated the accent used by the author as a base to create a fine portrayal of Gandalf in the movie adaptation.

Has the Elvish character tattoo meaning 9 together with all other actors who were the members of the fellowship in "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" (2001).

Appeared as a vampire in Pet Shop Boys' "Heart" music video.

Is one of the actors who choose to be a vegetarian.