Ian Holm, actor of the Lord of Rings, died on Friday at the aged 88, his agents told British media.
Holm is best known for playing Bilbo Baggins in the `Lord of the Rings’ film trilogy.
He also starred in dozens of other film and television roles.
“Sir Ian Holm passed away this morning at the age of 88,’’Holm’s agents, Markham, Froggatt and Irwin, told The Guardian.
The agents said that Holm died peacefully in a hospital in the presence of his family members and carer.
“Charming, kind and ferociously talented, we will miss him hugely,’’ they added.
Holm had a long and varied 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” and athletics coach Sam Mussabini in the 1981 movie “Chariots of Fire,” a performance for which he was nominated for an Oscar.
Born in Essex, southeast England, in 1931, Holm attended the RADA drama school in London.
After forging a successful career on the stage, he moved into television and later movie acting.
Holm also played Father Vito Cornelius in “The Fifth Element” (1997) and Professor Fitz in “The Aviator” (2004).
In 1989, he was named Commander of the British Empire (CBE) and in 1998 he was knighted for services to drama
