English actor Ian Holm, best known for his roles in "The Lord of the Rings" and "Alien," reportedly has died at age 88.
Alex Irwin, Holm’s representative, confirmed the news in a statement to USA Today on Friday.
“It is with great sadness we can confirm that the actor Sir Ian Holm CBE passed away this morning at the age of 88,” the statement read, according to USA Today. “He died peacefully in hospital, with his family and carer. His illness was Parkinson’s related.”
The statement continued, “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.”
A star of stage and screen, Holm won a Tony Award for best featured actor as Lenny in Harold Pinter’s play “The Homecoming” in 1967.
An established figure in the Royal Shakespeare Company, he won a Laurence Olivier Award for best actor for his performance in the title role of “King Lear” in 1998.
He won a British Academy Film Award and gained a supporting actor Oscar nomination for portraying pioneering athletics coach Sam Mussabini in the hit 1982 film “Chariots of Fire."
He also appeared in “The Fifth Element," “Alien,’’ “The Sweet Hereafter,’’ “Time Bandits,” “The Emperor’s New Clothes” and “The Madness of King George.” More recently, he portrayed Bilbo Baggins in “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” trilogies.
Holm was knighted in 1998 for his services to drama.
“His sparkling wit always accompanied a mischievous twinkle in his eye,” Irwin said. “Charming, kind and ferociously talented, we will miss him hugely.”
Holm was married four times and had five children.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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