Veteran British actor Ian Holm, perhaps best known for his roles in the Lord of the Rings trilogy and Alien, has reportedly passed away at the age of 88.
Holm’s agent confirmed the news in a statement, writing, “It is with great sadness that the actor Sir Ian Holm CBE passed away this morning at the age of 88. He died peacefully in hospital, with his family and carer…Charming, kind and ferociously talented, we will miss him hugely.”
In addition to his roles as Bilbo Baggins in Lord of the Rings and the android Ash in Alien, Holm won a BAFTA and was nominated for an Oscar for his role as coach Sam Mussabini in 1981’s Chariots of Fire. In 1989, he was named Commander of the British Empire (CBE), and he was knighted in 1998 for his services to drama.
The actor is survived by his fourth wife, Sophie de Stempel, his five children from previous relationships, as well as his third wife, Penelope Wilton. Tributes to him began pouring in on social media on Friday, with writer/director Edgar Wright calling him “a genius actor who brought considerable presence to parts funny, heartbreaking & terrifying,” adding, “Thanks for Bilbo, Napoleon (twice), Sweet Hereafter, Big Night, Brazil and, of course the iconic Ash.”
RIP Ian Holm, a genius actor who brought considerable presence to parts funny, heartbreaking & terrifying. Thanks for Bilbo, Napoleon (twice), Sweet Hereafter, Big Night, Brazil and, of course the iconic Ash. "I can't lie to you about your chances, but… you have my sympathies." pic.twitter.com/tO9tcydVUK
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) June 19, 2020
Subscribe here for our free daily newsletter.
Thanks for reading InsideHook. Sign up for our daily newsletter and be in the know.
