Ian McKellen broke his Golden Globe and lied to keep it
Synopsis
Sir Ian McKellen didn't just win a Golden Globe — he took it apart, couldn't put it back together, and then told organisers he'd lost it. The 87-year-old's candid confession on 'Tea with Judi Dench' is a rare, unguarded moment from one of Britain's most celebrated actors, and a reminder that even legends have awkward secrets.
Key Takeaways
Sir Ian McKellen , 87 , revealed he accidentally broke his Golden Globe by unscrewing its base out of curiosity.
Unable to reassemble it, he told organisers he 'couldn't find it' when they asked for it back for engraving.
The award — for Best Supporting Actor in 'Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny' — remains his only Golden Globe win.
McKellen was also nominated for 'Richard III' ( 1996 ) and 'Gods and Monsters' ( 1999 ) but did not win either.
The confession was made on the upcoming show 'Tea with Judi Dench Featuring Sir Ian McKellen' .
Acting legend Sir Ian McKellen has revealed that he once lied to the Golden Globes organisers after accidentally dismantling his award — and never managed to put it back together. The 87-year-old British actor won the statuette for Best Supporting Actor in a TV Movie or Mini-Series for his portrayal of the titular character in 'Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny', a prize that remains his only Golden Globe to date.
How the Statuette Fell Apart
McKellen recounted the incident during an appearance on the upcoming programme 'Tea with Judi Dench Featuring Sir Ian McKellen'. Overcome by curiosity about the award's construction, he unscrewed a bolt at its base — only for the entire statuette to collapse. Unable to reassemble it, he faced an awkward situation when organisers later requested it back for engraving.
'I was intrigued as to how this Golden Globe was put together. And I discovered that on the bottom there was a screw, and I undid the screw and it all fell apart. I couldn't put it together again, and then they said, 'Will you please send us back your statue?' to engrave my name on it, so I had to say, 'I can't find it',' McKellen recalled.
His Only Golden Globe, and a Storied Career Around It
The Rasputin win remains the sole Golden Globe in McKellen's decorated career. He had previously received nominations for his work in 'Richard III' in 1996 and 'Gods and Monsters' in 1999, neither of which translated into a win. The actor's broader honours include a Tony Award nomination, multiple Olivier Awards, and an Academy Award nomination.
A Career That Defined Generations
Sir Ian McKellen is widely regarded as one of Britain's most distinguished stage and screen actors. His theatre work established him among the leading performers of his generation before cinema brought him global recognition — most notably as Gandalf in 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies. Beyond performance, McKellen has been a prominent LGBTQ+ advocate, using his public profile to champion equality and human rights throughout his career.
What to Expect from 'Tea with Judi Dench'
The anecdote emerges from McKellen's forthcoming appearance alongside fellow acting institution Dame Judi Dench. The show, billed as an intimate conversation between two of Britain's most celebrated performers, is expected to surface further candid reflections from both stars. No broadcast date has been confirmed at the time of writing.
Point of View
And that is exactly why it travels. What mainstream coverage will miss is the structural irony: the one award he broke and hid is the one he never won again. In a career defined by Gandalf, Magneto, and decades of stage mastery, a single Golden Globe statuette — now presumably in pieces somewhere in his home — has become the most human detail of an otherwise monumental biography.
NationPress
26 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Ian McKellen lie about his Golden Globe award?
Sir Ian McKellen lied to Golden Globe organisers after accidentally breaking the statuette by unscrewing its base. Unable to put it back together, he told them he could not find it when they requested it for engraving.
Which role did Ian McKellen win his Golden Globe for?
McKellen won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor in a TV Movie or Mini-Series for his role in 'Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny'. It remains the only Golden Globe he has ever won.
Where did Ian McKellen reveal this story?
He shared the anecdote on the upcoming programme 'Tea with Judi Dench Featuring Sir Ian McKellen', an intimate conversation show featuring two of Britain's most celebrated actors.
Has Ian McKellen been nominated for other Golden Globes?
Yes, McKellen received Golden Globe nominations for 'Richard III' in 1996 and 'Gods and Monsters' in 1999, but did not win either. His Rasputin win remains his sole Golden Globe.
What other awards has Ian McKellen received in his career?
McKellen's honours include a Tony Award nomination, multiple Olivier Awards, and an Academy Award nomination. He is also globally recognised for playing Gandalf in 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies.
