Lord of the Rings’ and The Hobbit Trilogy’s Ian Holm Passes Away at 88
Today is a sad day for the fans of the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, as Ian Holm has passed away at the age of 88. In Peter Jackson’s two trilogies the British actor portrayed Bilbo Baggins, the hobbit who is the protagonist of a series of adventures that end with the rediscovery of the Ring of Power. The actor’s agent informed The Guardian about his death in a press release, adding that his illness was Parkinson’s related.
“It is with great sadness that the actor Sir Ian Holm CBE passed away this morning at the age of 88. He died peacefully in hospital, with his family and carer. Charming, kind and ferociously talented, we will miss him hugely.”
Born in 1931 in Essex, UK, Holm had a long career in theatre, which he quit after he experienced severe stage fright during a performance in 1976.
RELATED: Avatar Sequels & Lord of the Rings May Resume Production in New Zealand
Holm had his big Hollywood debut in Ridley Scott’s Alien back in 1979. At the time, he was unknown to American audiences. His performance as the Hyperdyne Systems 120-A/2 android Ash impressed fans and critics alike.
Shortly after, Holm’s notable performance as Mussabini in 1981 hit Chariots Of Fire gained him a BAFTA and an Academy Awards nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He also starred in Time Bandits, Brazil, The Madness Of King George, The Fifth Element and The Sweet Hereafter, just to name a few movies from his multi-decennial career.
His last appearance on-screen dates back to 2014’s The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.
Which Ian Holm character do you love the most? Let us know in the comments section below.
Recommended Reading: J.R.R. Tolkien 4-Book Boxed Set: The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings
