Ian Holm (1931-2020)
I'm sure by now we've all heard the sad news that British actor Ian Holm died from complications of Parkinson's on June 19th, 2020, aged 89. Holm was an exceptionally trained and versatile actor who had been well-known in roles such as the villainous android Ash in "Alien" and the eccentric Bilbo Baggins in the "Lord of the Rings" series. He was born in Essex around England in 1931, then went to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art to study drama until the early 1960s, when he ventured into film.
One of his earlier roles was the mischievous Puck in the 1968 film adaptation of "A Midsummer Night's Dream". Holm even took on the role of the French conquerer Napoleon in the TV miniseries "Napoleon and Love", and in 1976, he ascended his screen presence as King John in "Robin and Marian" opposite Sean Connery, Audrey Hepburn and Robert Shaw. Holm's international breakthrough role as the android Ash in "Alien" solidifies him. It wasn't long before Holm got other parts throughout his career, including "Chariots of Fire" (the former earned him a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination). "Time Bandits" (where he reprised his Napoleon role), "Brazil", "Dreamchild", "The Madness of King George", "The Fifth Element", "eXistenZ", "The Day After Tomorrow", and "Ratatouille".
In the latter part of his career, a new generation was introduced to Ian Holm when he played the aging hobbit Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. He even reprised his role in "The Hobbit" series as well. I never met him. But to me, he sounds like an incredible actor with an astonishing career, and we won't forget his acting contributions.
My condolences go to his family and friends.
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