Ian Holm, the actor, perhaps best known for his role as Bilbo Baggins in the “The Lord of the Rings” blockbuster fantasy film series, has died at the age of 88, due to complications of Parkinson’s disease, according to various news reports.
“It is with great sadness thatthe actor Sir Ian Holm CBE passed away this morning at the age of 88,” announced his agent, according to a Guardian report.
“He died peacefully in hospital, with his family and career,” his agent said. “Charming, kind and ferociously talented, we will miss him hugely.”
Holm began his acting career on the stage, earning a Tony Award for his role as Lenny in “the Homecoming” in 1967. After experiencing an acute episode of stage fright during a production of “The Iceman Cometh” in 1976, he switched to work primarily in film.
An Academy award nominee for his role as the trainer in “Chariots of Fire,” Holm went on to achieve fame as playing Ash in “Alien.” He is perhaps best known, and much loved, for his role as Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson’s the “Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” film series, based on the books of J.R.R. Tolkien.
Holm came to the “Lord of the Rings,” having played Frodo for a BBC radio adaptation of the books in 1981.At 5’5”-tall, he was perfectly cast as the hobbit Bilbo in the films, The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Two Towers (2002) and The Return of the King (2003), and the three Hobbit movies (2012-2014) where he played an elderly Bilbo.
Just weeks ago, Holm sent a message to his fans when he was not able to participate in a virtual reunion of members of “the Fellowship” on Zoom.
He said, “I am sorry to not see you in person, I miss you all and hope your adventures have taken you to many places, I am in lockdown in my hobbit home, or holm.”
And today we celebrate...