Most Laurence Olivier awards won by an actor
Who
Ian McKellen
What
7 total number
Where
United Kingdom (London)
When

Sir Ian McKellen (UK) has won seven Laurence Olivier awards: Actor of the Year in a Revival (Pillars of the Community, 1977; Wild Honey, 1984); Best Comedy Performance (The Alchemist, 1978); Actor of the Year in a New Play (Bent, 1979); Best Actor (Richard III, 1991); Society of London Theatre Special Award (2006; 2020). Just one actor/actress has won more Olivier awards: Dame Judi Dench (UK), who collected eight statuettes in 1977-2016, including a Special Award in 2004.


McKellen won a second Special Award in 2020 after donating $52,134 (£40,000) he collected in person at theatre foyers during his 80th birthday tour, entitled Ian McKellen on Stage, in support of theatre workers whose livelihoods had been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He has also received six Best Actor nominations: The Cherry Orchard (1986); Othello and Bent (both 1990); Uncle Vanya (1992); King Lear (New London Theatre, 2008); No Man’s Land (2017); King Lear (Duke of York’s Theatre, 2019).