LONDON: British actor Ian Holm, best known for his role in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, has died aged 88.
The actor, who received an Oscar nomination for his performance in the 1981 film Chariots of Fire, had died from Parkinson’s related illness.
“It is with great sadness that the actor Sir Ian Holm CBE passed away this morning at the age of 88,” his agent told a British daily. “He died peacefully in hospital, with his family and carer. Charming, kind and ferociously talented, we will miss him hugely.”
Holm began his career on stage working as part of the Royal Shakespeare Company and gained international exposure when he was cast as android Ash in the 1979 film ‘Alien’.
His role as an athletics coach in ‘Chariots of Fire’ won him a British Academy film award (BAFTA) and an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Holm played Bilbo Baggins in two of The Lord of the Rings films, a role he reprised in the recent “The Hobbit” film series.
Earlier this month, he expressed his sadness that he was unable to participate in a virtual reunion for the films, saying: “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.”
US actress Mia Farrow led a parade of stars paying their respects, calling him “unfailingly brilliant.” She said Holm was “among the giants of the theatre.”
Among the LOTR actor posting remembrances to the late actor were Orlando Bloom (who played Legolas), Elijah Wood (Frodo) and Dominic Monaghan (Merry).
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