NEW YORK — Sir Ian McKellen is speechless.

Someone has just asked him if he could sum up his career in two words. It all seems rather ludicrous considering the renowned British actor’s pedigree and CV — particularly when Hollywood caught on after his remarkable performance in 1995’s Richard III.

“I think people in the film industry saw me as a potential film actor rather than someone who shouts in the evening — as theatre actors are sometimes referred to,” he quipped.

And the rest, as they say, is history. A whole slew of Hollywood movies followed, including Apt Pupil, Gods And Monsters and, of course, his role as the Brotherhood Of Mutants’ leader, Magneto, in 2000’s X-Men.

“The clincher was Magneto, actually,” he recalled.

But if there was one breakthrough character for McKellen, it would really have to be the venerable Gandalf in the Lord Of The Rings trilogy and, now, the latest series of Hobbit films. But in-between these two mega-series, he has kept busy.

“Since I did Lord Of The Rings, I’ve played King Lear on stage, I’ve been in Chekov, I’ve been in Coronation Street — England’s longest running soap opera. I’ve been in Extras with Ricky Gervais and in an English pantomime in drag — playing a woman with a ladle,” he said.

“The actors that I admired when I was young had careers — they worked into their old age and I admire them for their longevity. I suppose I’ve always liked that I’m not doing the same things — doing theatre, television, film ... ”

And then he found his magic word. “Variety. I suppose that would be one of those words.” MAYO MARTIN

For the complete interview with Ian McKellen, visit Rated G (blogs.todayonline.com/ratedg/)