Ian Holm bio, height, family, wife, children, filmography, cause of death

Ian Holm Biography

Ian Holm was a celebrated British actor, best known worldwide for bringing Bilbo Baggins to life in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy and "The Hobbit" films.

Childhood and Youth

Ian Holm Cuthbert was born on September 12, 1931, at the psychiatric clinic in Goodmayes, where his father worked. James Harvey Cuthbert was a leading psychiatrist and one of the pioneers of electroshock therapy. His mother, Jean Wilson, of Scottish descent, worked as a nurse with her husband.

As a child, Ian spent a lot of time in the clinic, interacting and playing with patients who posed no danger to others. He was especially fond of Mr. Andersen - an impeccably dressed, well-groomed elderly gentleman who every morning would load a garden trolley with chunks of soil, transport it to the other end of the yard and neatly unload it there. Young Ian believed Mr. Andersen was doing very important work, so he'd quietly watch from the sidelines, never daring to interrupt.

Ian received his primary education at Chigwell School in Essex. When Ian turned twelve, his older brother Eric died. His parents were devastated by this tragedy and, seeking solace, first moved to the quiet, remote village of Mortehoe on Devon's north coast, then later relocated to Worthing - a seaside town in West Sussex. There, Ian developed a passion for amateur theatre and joined a drama club.

A chance encounter with Henry Baynton, a celebrated Shakespearean actor, helped him finally choose his career path. The young man began preparing to enter the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, where he became a student in 1950. However, a year later, he had to pause his studies to complete his service in the British army.

After completing his service as a junior corporal, Holm returned to the academy and in 1952 toured the United States with a student troupe. In 1953, Ian successfully graduated from the academy and joined the academic drama theatre troupe in Stratford-upon-Avon, belonging to the Royal Shakespeare Company. He made his stage debut as a spear-carrier in "Othello" and eventually appeared in nearly all the major repertory productions, spending thirteen years with the company.

Film Roles

While continuing his theater work, Holm launched his film career with his debut as Richard III in the BBC series "The Wars of the Roses" (1965). Three years later, he landed the lead role in Dennis Potter's TV movie "Moonlight on the Highway" (1969), followed by roles in "Oh! What a Lovely War" (1969), "Nicholas and Alexandra" (1971), "Mary, Queen of Scots" (1972), and "Young Winston" (1972).

In 1967, for his performance as Lenny in Harold Pinter's "The Homecoming," Holm was awarded the prestigious Tony Award. His work in Hugh Hudson's historical drama "Chariots of Fire" (1981) earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. In 1979, Holm appeared on screen as the android Ash in Ridley Scott's suspenseful thriller "Alien."

Ian wasn't afraid to experiment, and his filmography increasingly alternated between classic works and unexpected sci-fi projects where he boldly stepped outside his comfort zone. Examples of such unusual roles include the amusing priest Vito Cornelius in Luc Besson's cult film "The Fifth Element" and, of course, old hobbit Bilbo Baggins in the adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's adventure novel "The Lord of the Rings."

These projects attracted Holm because of their well-written characters that prioritized strong performances over flashy visuals, despite the films' heavy use of special effects. Ian appeared in the second and third parts of the trilogy, as well as in the franchise's sequels "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" (2012) and "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies" (2014).

LOTR The Fellowship of the Ring - Farewell Dear Bilbo

"The Lord of the Rings" brought Holm worldwide fame - he was stunned by audiences' reaction to both the film and his character. Holm received bags of letters in which fans referred to him exclusively as Bilbo Baggins, perceiving the actor and his screen hero as one.

Ian Holm and Elijah Wood in 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey'

Throughout his lengthy career, Holm played around two hundred roles across theater and film projects and voiced a dozen animated features. He is a multiple winner of the Cannes Festival and British Academy awards, and also a nominee for an Oscar, Satellite, and Golden Globe.

In 1998, Ian was honored with the highest theater award, the Laurence Olivier Award, for his role as King Lear in the eponymous production of Shakespeare's immortal play. That same year, Queen Elizabeth II knighted the actor, bestowing upon him a noble title for his outstanding achievements in theater and cinema.

Personal Life of Ian Holm

The charismatic actor's personal life, despite often being mistaken for Joe Pesci due to their physical resemblance, was vibrant and eventful. He married four times and became a father five times, having three daughters and two sons.

Joe Pesci (left) and Ian Holm were often compared

Holm's first wife was Lynn Mary Shaw, with whom the actor lived for nearly ten years. She gave birth to his two daughters, but their marriage couldn't stand the test of time, and they divorced in 1965.

For nearly twenty years, Ian stayed officially single (despite having two children during this period), but in 1982, Sophie Baker finally led him to the altar. Their domestic bliss lasted only four years, and even the birth of a son couldn't save their marriage.

Holm's third wife was actress Penelope Wilton, and his fourth was artist Sophie de Stempel, who stayed with him until the end.

Final Years and Death

In 2001, the actor was diagnosed with prostate cancer, but he successfully underwent treatment and beat this terrible disease. During this time, Holm was filming the second and third "Lord of the Rings" movies, but audiences never noticed that Ian was feeling unwell and constantly battling excruciating pain.

In his later years, the actor suffered from Parkinson's disease and rarely appeared in public.

In early June 2020, a video conference recording featuring all the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy cast members appeared on YouTube. Holm declined to connect via Skype and addressed the viewers and his colleagues in writing. Who could have known that just two weeks later the actor would be gone, and this letter would become his farewell.

Tribute to Ian Holm (1931 - 2020)

On June 19, 2020, Ian Holm passed away in a London hospital surrounded by his loved ones. The actor passed away just two and a half months before his 89th birthday.