Gandalf

2. Gandalf is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkien's universe, Middle-earth.

Warning: Wikipedia contains spoilers

Gandalf is the best-known of the Maia of the people of Manwë and Varda. He is said to be one of the wisest of that order, rivaling Saruman. He came to Middle-earth in the Third Age as a wizard. His mission is to counsel and assist all those in Middle-earth who oppose Sauron.

In The Hobbit, he arranges and partially accompanies the adventurous quest of Bilbo Baggins and the thirteen Dwarves to regain the treasure of the Lonely Mountain. It is on this quest that he finds his sword, Glamdring.

In The Lord of the Rings, he urges Bilbo to give his magic ring to Frodo, whom he motivates to take the ring and destroy it in Mount Doom. For various reasons, Gandalf is unable to accompany Frodo and his servant Sam, and participates instead in the adventures of the other members of the Fellowship of the Ring.

Gandalf initially appears as an old man with a gray beard, a gray cloak and a large gray hat. Although some of the Wise know his true nature, others mistake him for a simple conjurer. After fighting the Balrog in the Mines of Moria, he reappears as a more imposing figure clad all in white. The change of color is significant, for he has come to replace the corrupted Saruman as the chief of the Wizards.

Other names:

• Olórin, his name in Valinor and in very ancient times
• Mithrandir, his Sindarin name, used in Gondor, and meaning Grey Pilgrim.
• Gandalf the Grey
• Gandalf the White
• The White Rider

John Huston provided the voice of Gandalf in two animated television features. Heron Carvic[?] played him in the BBC radio version of The Hobbit; also on BBC radio, Michael Hordern played him in The Lord of the Rings. Ian McKellen was nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.

3. Gandalf is also an airline company.