Sir Ian Holm, who many today would recognize as the actor responsible for bringing Bilbo Baggins to life in the Lord of the Rings movies, has passed away at the age of 88 due to complications from Parkinson's Disease. "He died peacefully in hospital, with his family and carer," according to his agent.
Holm was known for many different roles and characters during his long-lived career. He won a BAFTA and was nominated for an Oscar for his role as coach Sam Mussabini in the 1981 film Chariots of Fire; played several roles in Shakespearean works including King Lear and the film version of Hamlet where he starred alongside Mel Gibson; brought an android to life in the film Alien with Sigourney Weaver; but perhaps best known for his portrayal of a most loveable hobbit in the blockbuster series Lord Of The Rings.
From a personal view, I remember Sir Ian Holm for 4 very distinct and very specific roles... The first time I saw him was in the movie Alien as the company android that had "complications" during the film (spoiler free 😁). But I don't mind telling anyone that watching him in that role gave me nightmares as a little kid. For such an abstract character, it was really cool to see someone pick it up and make it believable though!
The second was when he played Polonius in the 1990's movie version of Hamlet with Glenn Close and Mel Gibson. Absolutely loved that movie because it stayed true to the play, but it was set in the real world, so you could better see and understand what was happening.
Then there was The Fifth Element which was just the most random of sci-fi movies with Milla Jovovich, Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman, and Chris Tucker. Holm played "Priest Vito Cornelius" and delivered some great comedy bits with virtually every member of the cast!
And last but not least, The Lord Of The Rings where Sir Ian Holm played the well-loved Bilbo Baggins. Read the books, saw the movies, thought he did an amazing job in portraying what Bilbo would have acted and even sounded like when on screen. In fact, even though I do like The Hobbit trilogy, Holm will always be the person I picture when thinking of Bilbo's character.