Gandalf (originally a Maiar known as Olórin) is the main protagonist of the Middle-earth legendarium of J.R.R. Tolkien.
He is a major protagonist in The Hobbit and the secondary protagonist in The Lord of the Rings. He also serves as the main protagonist of the animated film series, appearing as a major protagonist in The Hobbitmovie made in 1977 and the secondary protagonist in The Lord of the Rings movie made in 1978 (which is also the name of the original novel) and in Return of the King (also the name of Part III of the novel The Lord of the Rings). He is also the main protagonist in Peter Jackson's live-action adaptations of the books respectively, serving as a major protagonist of The Hobbit film trilogy and the secondary protagonist of The Lord of the Rings film trilogy.
He is a very old, wise and powerful wizard, and one of the five Maiar who entered the world of Arda at the dawn of creation before becoming the Istari. Once a member of the high order of wizards, he travels all around Middle-Earth visiting friends and embarking on journeys. Being thousands of years old, he is known far and wide by all men, elves, dwarves, hobbits, and evil such as Sauron and Orcs. He is the servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor, which is said where he is to be from. During the Third Age, he guides Frodo in destroying the One Ring, and participates several battles during the War of the Ring. He offers to guide Frodo to Mordor to destroy the Ring and several comrades of all races join them.
In all the live action films, he is portrayed by Sir Ian McKellen.