British actor Ian Holm is dead. According to a statement made by his agent Alex Arwin, he died at the age of 88.
He left the world peacefully when on admission in a hospital Friday morning after battling with a Parkinson’s-related illness, with his family and carer at his bedside, he agent announced.
Holm had an elongated and wide-ranging acting career that saw him cast as a slew of characters, including Bilbo Baggins in the “Lord of the Rings” movie trilogy, Ash in Ridley Scott’s “Alien” including the athletics coach Sam Mussabini in the 1981 movie “Chariots of Fire,”.
He was born in Essex, southeast England, in 1931 and also enrolled at the RADA drama school located in London. Following his fruitful career on the stage, he moved into television and later movie acting.
Holm also featured as Father Vito Cornelius in “The Fifth Element” (1997) and Professor Fitz in “The Aviator” (2004).
Records has it that In 1989, Holm was named Commander of the British Empire (CBE) and in 1998 he was knighted for services to drama.
“His portrayal of Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit and The Lord Of The Rings trilogies ensured the magic of his craft could be shared by all generations,” Irwin said in a statement.
“He was a genius of stage and screen, winning multiple awards, and loved by directors, audiences and his colleagues alike. His sparkling wit always accompanied a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
“Charming, kind and ferociously talented, we will miss him hugely.”
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