I just saw that Sir Ian Holm has passed away at the age of 88.

Variety Magazine has posted an obituary, and a synopsis of his brilliant career: https://variety.com/2020/film/global/ia ... FzDFYLUVI4

They describe his as 'an actor's actor', and 'chameleon-like'.

I certainly agree with that. The last thing I saw him in was 'Last of the Blonde Bombshells', and I had NO IDEA who was playing the part of the lovable rogue, Patrick, until the credits were rolling!

Apparently he was struggling with Parkinson's disease towards the end of his life, something few people knew.

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When the night has been too lonely, and the road has been too long,
And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong,
Just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snows,
Lies the seed, that with the sun's love, in the spring becomes The Rose.

RIP.

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In gratitude forever … .

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*title copyright: Teremia

'You just said "your getting shorter": you've obviously been drinking too much ent-draught and not enough Prim's.' - Jude

Ah no. He'll always be my Frodo.

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The Vinyamars on Stage! This time at Bag End

I've seen that comment a couple of times now... When did he play Frodo? Was it a radio drama or something?

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I before E except after C
Or when sounding like A as in neighbor and weigh
Or in science and ageist, when syllables split
English is weird, but I don't give a crap.

Yes, the BBC Radio production. Still the definitive version for me.

Its available on Soundcloud if you search for Inkmore, but I won't link here as I'm pretty sure its copyright infringement

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The Vinyamars on Stage! This time at Bag End

Found it on Youtube. Or at least part of it - haven't checked how much is available, but listening to the beginning now.

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I before E except after C
Or when sounding like A as in neighbor and weigh
Or in science and ageist, when syllables split
English is weird, but I don't give a crap.

I was surprised to learn he did one of the voices for Ratatouille, one of my favourite movie-length cartoons! He voiced Skinner, the cook who was jealous and suspicious of Remy's new talent.

The moment that moved me the most deeply at the end of Return of the King was when Bilbo boards the ship that is going to take them away from Middle Earth forever. His eyes light up and he announces, "I'm always ready for one more adventure!"

That was the indomitable spirit, RIGHT THERE that started this whole marvelous tale rolling! It was just such a fitting final line!

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When the night has been too lonely, and the road has been too long,
And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong,
Just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snows,
Lies the seed, that with the sun's love, in the spring becomes The Rose.

Ooh I didn't realize that. I think one of my first memories of his acting was The Fifth Element as Cornelius. He was magnificent in that movie.

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I before E except after C
Or when sounding like A as in neighbor and weigh
Or in science and ageist, when syllables split
English is weird, but I don't give a crap.

I find it remarkable in retrospect that he was in his early 70s during the LotR films, his performance was so active and energetic.

I forgot that he was in Fifth Element.

It's a sad loss.

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“I am not so blind that I can't see darkness.”
Dangerous Beans
Terry Pratchett, The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents

RIP Sir Ian. Agreed, he will always be my Frodo.

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1. " . . . (we are ) too engrossed in thinking of everything as a preparation or training or making one fit -- for what? At any minute it is what we are and are doing, not what we plan to be and do that counts."

J.R.R. Tolkien in his 6 October 1940 letter to his son Michael Tolkien.

2. We have many ways using technology to be in touch, yet the larger question is are we really connected or are we simply more in touch? There is a difference.

Lets not forget he was also Ash in Alien. Wonderful character actor.

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The Vinyamars on Stage! This time at Bag End

And Fluellen in Branagh's Henry V.