British star Sir Ian Holm, who was known best for his role as Bilbo Baggins in Lord Of The Rings, as well as his work on Chariots of Fire and Alien, has died aged 88 in his London home.
The veteran actor’s death was confirmed by his publicist who said in a statement:
“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.”
Holm had reportedly been suffering from Parkinson’s disease at the time of his death and had previously spoken about his battle with prostate cancer, which he had been diagnosed with back in 2001.
“It’s all strange because I still feel like I’m immortal,” he told The Evening Standard back in 2002. “I can’t believe that I’ve had something seriously wrong with me.”
“I didn’t go through chemotherapy and my hair didn’t fall out – but they won’t actually know if I’m cured for another two years. I’ll be dead of old age by then,” he added.
He also joked at the time about the side effects of hormonal treatment, saying:
“The flushes were one thing,” he began. “One of my women friends says ‘Now you know what it’s like.’ But the other thing is a little odd. I’m looking optimistically at the fact that my pubic hair has fallen out – I’m told that’s rather fashionable, like a Brazilian wax.”
“I look a bit strange, to put it mildly, but these are small prices to pay.”
Along from his role as the Bilbo Baggins, Holm had an illustrious career which saw him win a Bafta and nab an Oscar nomination for his role as coach Sam Mussabini in the 1981 film Chariots of Fire.
Sir Ian Holm is survived by his artist wife Sophie de Stempel, who detailed her husbands final days in a series of moving Instagram posts which featured both photographs and sketches of Holm.
