Samantha Morton pays tribute to ‘inspiring, generous’ father-in-law Sir Ian Holm

Sir Ian Holm’s daughter-in-law, the actress Samantha Morton, has led tributes to the “inspiring, funny, generous” performer following his death at the age of 88.

The Walking Dead star, who is married to Sir Ian’s son Harry, shared a video of the veteran actor reciting Puck’s soliloquy from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Morton, 43, captioned the post: “The most inspiring, funny, generous, welcoming father-in-law I could have hoped for. Good night Ian.”

Sir Ian died peacefully in hospital after a Parkinson’s-related illness, with his family and carer at his bedside, his agent said.

The actor, who was acclaimed for his roles in Chariots Of Fire, Alien and Brazil, was also a prolific and accomplished star of the Royal Shakespeare Company and was described as Harold Pinter’s favourite actor.

A statement from his agent, Alex Irwin, said: “His portrayal of Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit and The Lord Of The Rings trilogies ensured the magic of his craft could be shared by all generations.

“He 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.”

His first credited screen performance was in 1957 in an ITV Play Of The Week and he won the first Bafta he was nominated for – for The Bofors Gun, which was released in 1968.

He found a new audience in the 1990s in the role of Pod in the TV adaptation of The Borrowers, in which he starred opposite Dame Penelope Wilton and Rebecca Callard.

He was awarded a knighthood in the 1998 Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to drama.