In light of the recent death of Ian Holm, stars and filmmakers from the movie industry are expressing their appreciation for the life and work of the versatile actor.
Ian Holm has stretched his acting career for more than four decades, playing dozens of different roles in the big screen, television, and even theater.
The British thespian is certainly no stranger to featuring in genre movies, a few of which have become modern-day classics today.
He had played the android Ash in Ridley Scott’s science fiction horror movie Alien (1979), Mr.s Kurtzmann in Terry Gilliam’s dystopian masterpiece Brazil (1985), Dr. Frankenstein’s father in Kenneth Branagh’s adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1994), and Father Cornelius in Luc Besson’s intergalactic actioner The Fifth Element (1997), just to name a handful.
But he may be most familiar to moviegoers around the world for playing the role of Bilbo Baggins, the hobbit who stole the Ring of Power from Gollum, in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy of movies.
Tribute from fellow hobbits, LotR alums
It’s only fitting then that some of the first to pay tribute to the deceased actor were his fellow hobbit co-actors from the Oscar-winning fantasy epic series.
Elijah Wood, who plays Frodo Baggins (Bilbo is Frodo’s second cousin once removed), took to his official Twitter page to bid his farewell to his hobbit uncle.
So sad to hear that the singular, brilliant and vibrant, Sir Ian Holm has passed. Farewell, uncle. pic.twitter.com/q9RBKT3hBC
— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) June 19, 2020
Another actor who played a hobbit in the Lord of the Rings movies, Dominic Monaghan, also posted his appreciation of Holm through his Instagram account.
Other stars of the expanded LotR movie realm also poured out their tributes. Chief among them is Richard Armitage, who played the dwarf prince and leader Thorin Oakenshield in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit trilogy.
Rest In Peace Sir Ian. Lord Of The Rings and Chariots Of Fire star Sir Ian Holm dies | Ents & Arts News | Sky News https://t.co/oJPcUzZY1t
— Richard Armitage (@RCArmitage) June 19, 2020
Even Peter Jackson himself penned a moving farewell to the actor on his Facebook page.
Posted by Peter Jackson on Friday, June 19, 2020
Tributes from film luminaries
In his tribute, English director Edgar Wright (Baby Driver, Shaun of the Dead) made reference to Holm as a genius performer who was equally effective in bringing humor, drama, and horror to his roles.
RIP Ian Holm, a genius actor who brought considerable presence to parts funny, heartbreaking & terrifying. Thanks for Bilbo, Napoleon (twice), Sweet Hereafter, Big Night, Brazil and, of course the iconic Ash. "I can't lie to you about your chances, but… you have my sympathies." pic.twitter.com/tO9tcydVUK
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) June 19, 2020
Even the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) tweeted to celebrate the actor’s achievements in film, TV, and theater.
We are very sorry to hear of the death of Ian Holm. Nominated for 6 BAFTAs in his wide-ranging and successful career across TV and film, he is pictured here winning the Supporting Actor award for his role in Chariots Of Fire in 1981. pic.twitter.com/x3OduDwoJe
— BAFTA (@BAFTA) June 19, 2020
In honoring Holm, the National Theatre paid tribute to the thespian’s past role as King Lear:
We're very sad to hear that Ian Holm has passed away. He was an extraordinary actor and we have wonderful memories of his performance at the National Theatre as King Lear (1997).https://t.co/SRB4hTO2lh
📷 John Haynes pic.twitter.com/NyX0YzzlM9
— National Theatre (@NationalTheatre) June 19, 2020
The Shakespeare Institute also echoed the same thoughts:
Remembering Ian Holm, a masterful performer of Shakespeare's plays. https://t.co/oLxge4tvg6
— ShakespeareInstitute (@ShakesInstitute) June 19, 2020
Featured image courtesy of King Lear (Amazon)