Ian Holm was a versatile British actor of stage and screen, known for appearances in classics like Alien, Chariots of Fire, The Lord of the Rings, and Ratatouille. He was a character actor, delighting in larger-than-life roles, but also capable of restraint and realism when necessary. His career was marked by a willingness to take on challenging roles, often shifting seamlessly between genres. Holm's performances were almost always compelling, whether he was playing a hobbit, a king's physician, a mean chef, or a devious android.