Ian was well-known for his role as Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogies.
The actor’s agent, Alex Iriwn, confirmed he “died peacefully” in hospital on Friday morning. Alex said Ian’s illness was “Parkinson’s-related”.
According to HuffPost UK, Alex added in a statement: “(Ian) 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.”
How I lost my 2 kids while away on a job that paid N40 – Nollywood actor recounts Ian was born on September 12, 1931, in Goodmayes, Essex.
Inspired by seeing a production of Les Misérables as a boy, he secured a place at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1949, before joining the Royal Shakespeare Company, according to HuffPost UK.
The publication reports that Ian’s role as Sam Mussabini in Chariots of Fire earned him a special award at the Cannes Film Festival, a BAFTA Award and an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Ian’s other screen credits included The Fifth Element, Alien, The Sweet Hereafter, Time Bandits, The Emperor’s New Clothes and The Madness Of King George.
