The English actor Ian Holm, a veteran of stage and screen and famous for his roles in Chariots Of Fire, Alien and the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, has died in London aged 88.
A statement from his agent said that he died as a result of illness as a result of Parkinson’s.
His first major film roles were as the android Ash in 1979’s Alien and as the athletics coach Sam Mussabini in Chariots Of Fire for which he won a Bafta best supporting actor.
Just a few of his other notable film roles include Time Bandits, Brazil, Kenneth Branagh’s Henry V, The Sweet Hereafter and The Fifth Element.
Holm won new fans in the 1990s after appearing as Bilbo Baggins the Lord Of Rings trilogy, having previously played Frodo in the acclaimed 1981 BBC radio adaptation.
He was quoted in 2001: ”I’ve always been a minimalist. It was Bogart [Humphrey Bogart] who once said, “If you think the right thoughts, the camera will pick it up.” The most important thing in the face is the eyes, and if you can make the eyes talk, you’re halfway there.”
His agent told The Guardian: “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.” They added that his illness was Parkinson’s related.
