Sir Ian McKellen, the Olivier and Tony Award-winning actor, will host the March 16 episode of NBC's "Saturday Night Live," which also features Kylie Mongue as musical guest.

Recently on Broadway opposite Helen Mirren in The Dance of Death, McKellen has become an international movie star in the past few years. His portrayal of J.R.R. Tolkien's wizard Gandalf in the current film "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" has earned the English actor his second Academy Award nomination and the adoration of children and hardcore "Rings" fans around the world. He was evil Magneto in the film, "X-Men."

McKellen's first Oscar nomination was for his work as openly gay Hollywood director James Whale in Bill Condon's "Gods and Monsters."

"Saturday Night Live" cast members include Rachel Dratch, Dean Edwards, Jimmy Fallon, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Ana Gasteyer, Darrell Hammond, Chris Kattan, Seth Meyers, Tracy Morgan, Amy Poehler, Jeff Richard, Maya Rudolph and Horatio Sanz. The Emmy-winning telecast premiered on NBC in 1975 and continues to air on that network at 11:30 PM (ET). Check local listings for time and channel in your area.

—By Andrew Gans