Longtime actor Ian Holm dies at 88

British actor Ian Holm, best known for his roles in “Chariots of Fire” and “The Lord of the Rings,” died in London on Friday.

He was 88.

“With great sadness the wonderful Ian Holm died today,” his wife, Sophie de Stempel, wrote on Instagram, where she has also posted pastel portraits of him in his last days.

Holm’s agent said his illness was linked to Parkinson’s disease.

“He died peacefully in hospital, with his family and carer,” agent Alex Irwin told The Guardian. “Charming, kind and ferociously talented, we will miss him hugely.”

Holm scored an Oscar nomination for his role as running coach Sam Mussabini in 1981’s “Chariots of Fire,” but younger viewers may remember him for his role as hobbit Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy.

Holm also played Old Bilbo in 2012’s “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” and again in 2014’s conclusion to “The Hobbit” trilogy, “The Battle of the Five Armies,” which was his final film role.

Throughout his nearly 60-year career, beginning in

1957, Holm (inset) appeared in dozens of iconic projects, including “Alien,” “Brazil,” and “Naked Lunch.”

He won a Tony in 1967 for his role as Lenny in Harold Pinter’s “The Homecoming,” and in 1998 took home the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor for playing the titular role in “King Lear.”

In his earlier days, Holm played Puck in a TV version of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” King Richard III in the miniseries, “The War of the Roses,” and J.M. Barrie in the miniseries, “The Lost Boys.”

“Shaun of the Dead” director Edgar Wright paid tribute to Holm on Twitter, calling him “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,” he wrote.

“RIP Sir Ian Holm. What an actor. A lifetime of incredible performances,” tweeted “The League of Gentlemen” star and writer Reece Shearsmith.