British acting legend Sir Ian Holm has died at the age of 88.
The English thesp’s incredible body of work spanned six decades.
He is perhaps best known for his iconic roles as Bilbo Baggins in the Lord of the Rings trilogy and Ash in Alien.
He also starred in Brazil, Chariots of Fire, Nicholas and Alexandra, Naked Lunch, Time Bandits, Hamlet (1990), The Fifth Element, Garden State, The Day After Tomorrow, The Madness of King George, Loch Ness, The Aviator, Ratatouille, and The Hobbit series.
He received a number of stage and screen awards and was nominated for a best supporting actor Oscar for his turn as coach Sam Mussabini in Chariots of Fire.
In 1969 he won a Bafta for his role in The Bofors Gun.
He was awarded a knighthood in the 1998 Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to drama.
Sir Ian’s death was associated with Parkinson’s Disease, which he had been struggling with for many years.
Agent Alex Irwin – from Markham, Froggatt and Irwin – said: “It is with great sadness we can confirm 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. His illness was Parkinson’s related”.
“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”.
Sir Ian’s death has prompted a huge outpouring of tributes from film fans across the globe.
We are very sorry to hear of the death of Ian Holm. Nominated for 6 BAFTAs in his wide-ranging and successful career across TV and film, he is pictured here winning the Supporting Actor award for his role in Chariots Of Fire in 1981. pic.twitter.com/x3OduDwoJe
— BAFTA (@BAFTA) June 19, 2020
We're saddened to hear that Sir Ian Holm, star of Lords of the Rings and Alien, has passed away https://t.co/ygMCRm95mr pic.twitter.com/CCe4LnZWQQ
— BFI (at 🏠) (@BFI) June 19, 2020
The great Ian Holm is dead. Wonderful actor and it’s so sad to see him go. Farewell, you did great work Sir –
Lord Of The Rings and Chariots Of Fire star Sir Ian Holm dieshttps://t.co/CsxtqV4M4J pic.twitter.com/BiM4PV6lTf— Eddie Izzard (@eddieizzard) June 19, 2020
