Ele apareceu idoso
Quando os Istari (incluindo Gandalf) vieram pela primeira vez para a Terra-média, eles estavam sob o disfarce de velhos homens:
Even as the first shadows were felt in Mirkwood there appeared in the west of Middle-earth the Istari, whom Men called the Wizards. None knew at that time whence they were, save Círdan of the Havens, and only to Elrond and to Galadriel did he reveal that they came over the Sea. But afterwards it was said among the Elves that they were messengers sent by the Lords of the West to contest the power of Sauron, if he should arise again, and to move Elves and Men and all living things of good will to valiant deeds. In the likeness of Men they appeared, old but vigorous, and they changed little with the years, and aged but slowly, though great cares lay on them; great wisdom they had, and many powers of mind and hand. Long they journeyed far and wide among Elves and Men, and held converse also with beasts and with birds....
—The Silmarillion
Dado o contexto, isso parece indicar que eles pareciam velhos desde a sua primeira chegada. Isso faria sentido, uma vez que as raças não-imortais associavam a idade aparente à sabedoria e estariam mais propensas a prestar atenção a um homem idoso do que a um jovem de rosto fresco.