Salutation

[ursha]

Technically, you should write "Sir Ian McKellen" or "Sir Ian" not "Sir McKellen", since the "Sir" is attached to the first name not the surname.
http://dic.academic.ru/dic.nsf/enwiki/137276

That's really good to know {thumb2}
When I wrote to him, I wrote down Sir Ian McKellen but I thought it doesn't really matter if it's written with his name or without it. Now I know ;)

[Sammya]

Technically, you should write "Sir Ian McKellen" or "Sir Ian" not "Sir McKellen", since the "Sir" is attached to the first name not the surname.
http://dic.academic.ru/dic.nsf/enwiki/137276

Thanks Nicola, this is really usefull! {thumb2} Is it then OK not to use the title at all and write "Mr McKellen"?

[lizane]

I find it best to address them like "Sir Ian McKellen", never just the surname (it's just the way I do it). {thumb2} I always write out the name and surname.

Thanks Nicola, this is really usefull! {thumb2} Is it then OK not to use the title at all and write "Mr McKellen"?

I'm not too sure, but I guess that will vary from person to person and how they feel about their title. My dad is a doctor (not the medical one), but it annoys him when he's called "Mr.", probably because he had to study 12 years for the title! I try to call people "Sir" or "Mr", along with their name and surname. But I'm sure it'll be fine as you did get a reply.

[osiris]

Oh, and the same can be said for Dame of course.

Technically, you should write "Sir Ian McKellen" or "Sir Ian" not "Sir McKellen", since the "Sir" is attached to the first name not the surname.
http://dic.academic.ru/dic.nsf/enwiki/137276

Thanks Nicola, this is really usefull! {thumb2} Is it then OK not to use the title at all and write "Mr McKellen"?

Personally, I'd say stick to Sir Ian or Sir Ian McKellen.

Also, as a bit of trivia for you, not everyone who is Knighted can use the "Sir" title. Anyone from a country where Queen Elizabeth II is not Head of State can recieve an Honorary Knighthood but cannot use the "Sir", like people such as Bono & Bill Gates. Instead they can use "KBE" or "GBE" at the end of their name (depending on type of Knighthood - Commander or Grand Cross respectively). Terry Wogan got one of these, however before accepting it he actually achieved Dual Citizenship so he can now officially be Sir Terry.

There you go. Don't say Fanmail.biz isn't educational.