Ian Holm

Sir Ian Holm CBE (born September 12, 1931) is a British actor.

Related Topics:
September 12 - 1931 - Actor

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Born as Ian Holm Cuthbert in Goodmayes, Essex,

Related Topics:
Goodmayes - Essex

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

he was educated at Chigwell School and then the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Holm was an

Related Topics:
Chigwell School - Royal Academy of Dramatic Art

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

established star of the Royal Shakespeare Company before making an

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

impact on television and film. He has been married four times.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1965, Holm played Richard III in the BBCs serialisation of the Wars of the Roses plays, and gradually made a name for himself with minor roles in films such as Oh! What a Lovely War (1969), Nicholas and Alexandra (1971), Mary, Queen of Scots (1971) and Young Winston (1972). By the time of Alien (1979) and Chariots of Fire (1981), he was a major star in the UK, and his reputation gradually spread to the USA. He continued to perform Shakespeare, and appeared with Kenneth Branagh in Henry V (1989) and as Polonius to Mel Gibson's Hamlet. He could also be seen as Desmond Cussen opposite Miranda Richardson in Dance with a Stranger.

Related Topics:
1965 - Richard III - BBC - Wars of the Roses - Oh! What a Lovely War - Nicholas and Alexandra - Mary, Queen of Scots - Alien - Chariots of Fire - Shakespeare - Kenneth Branagh - Henry V - Polonius - Mel Gibson - Hamlet - Miranda Richardson - Dance with a Stranger

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1991 he married, as his third wife, popular actress Penelope Wilton, and they appeared together in The Borrowers (1993) on British television, although in 2001 they divorced. In 1989 Holm was created a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to drama, and in 1998 he was knighted.

Related Topics:
1991 - Penelope Wilton - The Borrowers - 2001 - 1989 - Commander of the British Empire - 1998

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 2001 he starred in From Hell as the physician Sir William Withey Gull. The same year he appeared as Bilbo Baggins in the blockbuster film ', having previously played Bilbo's nephew Frodo Baggins in 1981 BBC Radio adaptation of The Lord of the Rings. He reappeared in the trilogy in ' (2003). In 2004, he appeared in The Day After Tomorrow, Zach Braff's Garden State, and Martin Scorsese's The Aviator. Recently, he appeared in 2005's Lord of War.

Related Topics:
2001 - From Hell - Physician - Sir William Withey Gull - Bilbo Baggins - Frodo Baggins - 1981 BBC Radio adaptation - The Lord of the Rings - 2004 - The Day After Tomorrow - Zach Braff - Garden State - Martin Scorsese - The Aviator - Lord of War

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He has played Napoleon Bonaparte three different times. First, in the 1972 television series Napoleon and Love. Next, in a cameo comic rendition, in Terry Gilliam's Time Bandits from 1981. He completed the set in 2001 playing the fallen and exiled leader in the fanciful film The Emperor's New Clothes.

Related Topics:
Napoleon Bonaparte - 1972 - Napoleon and Love - Terry Gilliam - Time Bandits - 1981 - 2001 - The Emperor's New Clothes

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He was treated in New York City for prostate cancer a few years ago, and appears to be in complete remission.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

His is one of the most familiar voices in Britain, having been heard in countless TV documentaries and commercials.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Holm was slated to star in a CBS miniseries titled "Pope John Paul II" playing the late pontiff, but, on August 14, 2005, decided against it for "personal reasons." The late Pope John Paul II will, instead, be portrayed by Jon Voight.

Related Topics:
John Paul II - Jon Voight

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~