Gandalf — The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Character Profile

About Gandalf

Wise wizard who guides the Free Peoples against Sauron's forces.

Gandalf — Character Profile

Alignment

Hero

Species

Other

Abilities

Magic, Wisdom, Leadership, Combat

• Strength: 8/10
• Intelligence: 10/10
• Charisma: 9/10
• Morality: 9.5/10
• Influence: 10/10

Affiliations

• White Council
• Istari
• Fellowship of the Ring
• Tolkien's legendarium

Quick Facts about Gandalf

Occupation

magician, military officer, diplomat

First Appearance

The Hobbit

Gandalf's Known Relations

• Sauron — Enemy
• Smaug — Enemy
• Saruman — Enemy
• White Council — Member of
• Istari — Member of
• Fellowship of the Ring — Member of

Gandalf appears in 8 titles

• The Lord of the Rings (1978) — character page
• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) — character page
• The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) — character page
• The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) — character page
• The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) — character page
• The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014) — character page
• The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022) — character page

Character Facts

Played by

Ian McKellen

Appears in

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

Role

Protagonist

Relationships (6)

• Gandalf — Alliance Strategic Ally — Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen)

  They cooperate as principal leaders of the resistance.

• Gandalf — Professional Mentor — Pippin (Billy Boyd)

  Gandalf directs Pippin while helping him mature under pressure.

• Gandalf — Conflict Political Opponent — Denethor (John Noble)

  Gandalf's duty to defend Gondor clashes with Denethor's failing judgment.

• Gandalf — Alliance Military Ally — Théoden (Bernard Hill)

  Their coordinated leadership links Gondor's and Rohan's defenses.

• Gandalf — Social Companion — Bilbo (Ian Holm)

  Their shared departure reflects a long-standing bond.

• Gandalf — Alliance Quest Allies — Frodo (Elijah Wood)

  Their separate missions converge in the survival of the quest.

Explore the full interactive character relationship map of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

More characters from The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

• Frodo (Elijah Wood)
• Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen)
• Sam (Sean Astin)
• Gollum / Smeagol (Andy Serkis)
• Celeborn (Marton Csokas)
• Denethor (John Noble)
• Pippin (Billy Boyd)
• Merry (Dominic Monaghan)
• Théoden (Bernard Hill)
• Éowyn (Miranda Otto)
• Gimli (John Rhys-Davies)
• Faramir (David Wenham)