KEY POINTS

  • A “LOTR” actor has reportedly died, (June 19)
  • Ian Holm passed away in a hospital with family and caregiver
  • Holm was 88 and his death was reportedly caused by Parkinson-related illness
  • Holm played Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson’s “LOTR”
  • Holm used to play Frodo Baggins in the BBC radio adaptation of “LOTR”

Ian Holm, who played the role of Bilbo Baggins in the movie “Lord of the Rings,” has died and fans couldn’t help but feel sad about his passing.

Holm, 88, died with illness related to Parkinson’s Disease, today (June 19). His agent said he died in a hospital with his family and caregiver, the Guardian reported.

Fans, television and media personalities, following the news of Holm’s death, expressed their sympathies, sadness and appreciation to the veteran actor. Chris Hewitt of “Empire Podcast” took to Twitter and conveyed his sadness over Holm’s death.

Tom Watson, who is a professor, democratic strategist and author, also used the said social media platform to give Holm praises. Watson described Holm as someone who had a subtle and powerful screen presence.

Journalist Laura Oliver described Holm as a wonderful actor with so many amazing roles to his name. Holm would always be Pod from the Borrowers.

Meanwhile, film producer Jonathan Sothcott, said that the “Lord of the Rings” actor was an exemplary actor. Sothcott said that Holm brought gravity and conviction to everything he did.

Journalist Jack Sommers said he admired Holm’s purity. Holm also starred in the film “Alien” and Sommers revealed that he had nightmares after he saw the film when he was 11.

Mike Warren of CNN, in his message after Holm’s reported death, said that the veteran actor also played the character of Frodo Baggins in BBC’s radio adaptation of the “Lord of the Rings” back in the ‘80s.

The 26-part series received two broadcasts per week, according to Tolkien Gateway. During the first broadcast of episode 2, a black out reportedly happened in the large part of South England because of transmitter failure.

Holm won several awards, including the 1967 Tony Awards for Best Featured Actor and the 1998 Laurence Olivier Award for the category of Best Actor.

Holm was born in Goodmayes, Ilford District on Sept. 12, 1931. Ian Holm Cuthbert was the son of James Harvey Cuthbert and Jean Wilson.

Holm’s father used to be a psychiatrist and his mother was a nurse. He had a brother named Eric, who died in 1943.

The “Lord of the Rings” actor went to Chigwell School in Essex before his admission to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Holm was called for National Service in the British Army a year after his RADA admission.

Holm was assigned in Klagenfurt, Austria and gained the rank of Lance Corporal.

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