Ian Holm, Shakespearean Actor Who Played Bilbo Baggins, Dies at 88

LOS ANGELES (Reuters): Ian Holm, the classically trained Shakespearean actor best known to film audiences for his performances in films including the "Lord of the Rings" and "Hobbit" movies,"Chariots of Fire" and "Alien," has died. He was 88.

Holm, who was celebrated for interpretations of most of the Shakespeare canon, including a towering "King Lear," also excelled onstage in the original production of Harold Pinter's "The Homecoming," which he also brought to Broadway. He began working in films only midway through his career, debuting with an adaptation of his stage performance in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in 1968.