Breakfast w/Greg: Sir Ian McKellen, Dave Koz and Thom Beirdz receive well-deserved honors

Happy Thursday!

I just love when out and proud people get well-deserved kudos and in recent weeks, three of our faves have been in the spotlight for their accomplishments.

First up: Sir Ian McKellen, the great star of God and Monsters in which he played the the gay British film director James Whale. He also had prominent roles in the Lord of the Rings and X-Men franchises. The British actor was presented on Wednesday with the Donostia Award by the San Sebastian Film Festival. The award goes to “a great film personality in recognition for their work and career.”

“I’m very gratified for this Donostia Prize because it’s not just for a character, but for a career,” he told a news conference.

McKellen joked when asked by journalists to name the favorite character he has played: “Usually I say my favorite character is the one I’m doing at the moment. But I’m not working at the moment, so my favorite character is me!” he said.

Last year, the award went to Meryl Streep and Spain’s Antonio Banderas. Other former recipients include Woody Allen, Francis Ford Coppola, Robert de Niro and Vanessa Redgrave.

GREAT KOZ: The very talented jazz musician Dave Koz received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Wednesday and it cxould not have happened to a more wonderful guy.

Quite a crowd turned out for the event honoring the world-renowned saxophonist including guest speakers Barry Manilow and Chris Gardner who is best known for his autobiography The Pursuit of Happyness.

Also present were actors Jason Alexander and Bob Saget, singer Johnny Mathis, musician Kenny G and songwriter Lamont Dozier, among others.

I’ve interviewed Dave several times including once not long after he came out publicly. He told me why he did it: “I didn’t get pushed out, I just decided it was time. I turned 40 and thought, ‘OK, it’s time for me.’ But the more high-profile people that come out – and they have to do it at their own time – the more that do, the less of an issue it becomes and it’s just going to be a blip on the screen eventually.”

THOM’S NIGHT: The Young and the Restless star Thom Beirdz, who is out in life and on the soap, was honored by the Human Rights Campaign with the HRC Visibility Award at the 2009 HRC Twin Cities Dinner. He gives a wonderful speech about his life and his role on the show – then and now.

Congratulations to Thom!