Lord Of The Rings Actor Ian Holm Has Died Aged 88

Ian Holm, the actor who played Bilbo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, has died at the age of 88.

Holm also starred in classics such as Alien and Chariots of Fire during his long career.

His agent confirmed the sad news in a statement that said: "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."

The statement added that Holm's death was related to Parkinson's Disease, and described the actor as 'charming, kind and ferociously talented'.

It concluded: "We will miss him hugely."

Holm's career took a varied path, and saw him star on both the stage and the screen.

Born in 1931 in Essex, he developed a love and a talent for acting at a young age before training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London.

He worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company from the very begining, and then with visionary playwright and director Harold Pinter, before finding his feet in Hollywood in films like Ridley Scott's Alien.

For his performance in 1981's Chariots of Fire, a tale of two runners set during the 1924 Olympic Games, he was nominated for an Academy Award and won a Bafta.

Years later, he found a new generation of fans after being cast in Peter Jackson's critically-acclaimed - and hugely lucrative - The Lord of the Rings trilogy as Bilbo Baggins.

Whilst he did not appear in The Two Towers, he played significant roles in the other two instalments.

Holm later reprised that role in two of the three films of The Hobbit trilogy, also helmed by Jackson.

Earlier this month, he expressed his sadness at not being able to participate in a virtual reunion featuring many of the actors in the film series.

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."

After releasing a tell-all autobiography in 2004, Holm developed something of a reputation as a ladies' man, with the Daily Mail describing his book as 'The Lord of the Flings'.

He is survived by his wife Sophie de Stempel, who also chronicled his last years through the medium of pastel drawings, as well as five children from previous marriages, and his third wife Penelope Wilton.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: TV and Film, UK Entertainment, US Entertainment

Tom Wood

Tom Wood is a LADbible journalist and Twin Peaks enthusiast. Despite having a career in football cut short by a chronic lack of talent, he managed to obtain degrees from both the University of London and Salford. According to his French teacher, at the weekend he mostly likes to play football and go to the park with his brother. Contact Tom on [email protected]

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