When you think about the Shire, you probably see a round green door. You see a pipe, a dusty map, and a very short man who just wants to be left alone to eat his seed cake. But if you’re asking who played Bilbo in The Hobbit, the answer is actually a bit of a double-feature. It’s not just one guy. Depending on which movie you’re watching—or even which scene you’re in—the face of the most famous burglar in Middle-earth changes.
Most people immediately think of Martin Freeman. He’s the face of the trilogy directed by Peter Jackson that started in 2012. He’s got the nervous energy, the twitchy nose, and that specific British "I’m very annoyed but too polite to say it" vibe. But let’s be real: Ian Holm is the foundation. He played the older version of the character in The Lord of the Rings and returned to bookend the prequel films. It’s a passing of the torch that almost didn't happen because of some seriously messy scheduling conflicts.
The Martin Freeman Era: Why He Almost Wasn't Bilbo Baggins
Finding the right person for who played Bilbo in The Hobbit was a nightmare for Peter Jackson. Honestly, Jackson has gone on record saying there was "only one person" he ever wanted for the role. That was Martin Freeman. But there was a massive problem. Freeman was already committed to filming Sherlock for the BBC.
The timing was a disaster.
Freeman actually turned the role down at first. Can you imagine? Turning down the lead in a multi-billion dollar franchise because you have to play Watson in a TV show. For a few weeks, the production was scrambling. They looked at other actors, but nobody fit the "regular guy in over his head" mold quite like Freeman. Eventually, Jackson did something almost unheard of in Hollywood: he moved the entire filming schedule of The Hobbit to accommodate Freeman’s Sherlock break. That’s how much they needed him.
Freeman’s performance is subtle. It’s all in the hands. If you watch closely during An Unexpected Journey, his Bilbo is constantly fiddling with his buttons or his waistcoat. He plays Bilbo as a man who is deeply uncomfortable with the world outside his front door. When he encounters Gollum in the caves—arguably the best scene in the entire trilogy—Freeman manages to look terrified and empathetic at the same time. He isn't a hero. He's a hobbit. That’s the distinction that makes his portrayal work.
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Remembering Ian Holm: The Original Burglar
We can't talk about who played Bilbo in The Hobbit without paying respects to the late Sir Ian Holm. He passed away in 2020, but his legacy as the elder Baggins is untouchable. Holm didn't just play Bilbo in the films; he actually voiced Frodo Baggins in the 1981 BBC radio adaptation of The Lord of the Rings. The man had Middle-earth in his blood.
In the opening of An Unexpected Journey, a much older Bilbo is seen frantically organizing his papers before his 111th birthday party. This is the bridge. Holm brings a sense of weary wisdom and "ring-induced" eccentricity that Freeman then builds upon in the flashbacks.
Interestingly, the physical transformation between the two actors is pretty seamless. The makeup department worked overtime to ensure that Freeman’s facial structure mirrored a younger Holm. If you look at the shape of the prosthetic ears and the wig styling, the continuity is incredible. It’s one of those rare times where a prequel casting actually feels like the same person, just decades apart.
The Voice Behind the Animation
If we’re being completionists here, the live-action guys aren't the only ones. Before the CGI-heavy blockbusters of the 2010s, there was the 1977 Rankin/Bass animated classic. In that version, the voice of Bilbo Baggins was provided by Orson Bean.
It’s a totally different vibe.
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Bean’s Bilbo is much more "fairy tale" and whimsical. While Freeman plays it with a dry, modern wit, Bean played it with a high-pitched, almost childlike wonder. If you grew up in the 70s or 80s, that’s likely the voice you hear when you read the book. It’s less about the trauma of war and more about the adventure of the road.
Why the Casting Matters for the Story
The casting of who played Bilbo in The Hobbit changes the tone of the entire story. If they had gone with a more traditional "action star," the movie would have failed. Bilbo is supposed to be the audience surrogate. He’s us. He’s the guy who forgot his handkerchief and is worried about his dinner getting cold while trolls are trying to eat him.
Martin Freeman’s background in comedy—specifically the UK version of The Office—was his secret weapon. He knows how to play the "straight man" in a room full of lunatics. When you have thirteen dwarves trashing your kitchen and singing about blunt knives, you need an actor who can react with genuine, grounded frustration.
Key Differences in the Portrayals:
- Martin Freeman: Focused on the transition from a sheltered homebody to a capable (but scarred) adventurer.
- Ian Holm: Focused on the burden of the Ring and the nostalgia of a life lived.
- Orson Bean: Focused on the classic, folkloric bravery of a small creature in a big world.
The nuance is what keeps the movies watchable. You see Bilbo grow. In the first film, he’s terrified of a sword. By The Battle of the Five Armies, he’s making massive political decisions and standing up to Thorin Oakenshield. Freeman navigates that arc without ever making Bilbo feel like a generic superhero. He’s still just a guy from the Shire, even when he’s holding the Arkenstone.
Misconceptions About the Role
One thing people get wrong is thinking that James McAvoy or Daniel Radcliffe played the role. They were both heavily rumored. At one point, fans were convinced McAvoy was a lock. While both are great actors, they would have brought a very different energy—likely more intense or "chosen one" style. Freeman was chosen specifically because he doesn't look like a hero. He looks like a neighbor.
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Another fun fact: Andy Serkis, who played Gollum, actually served as the Second Unit Director on the films. So, while Freeman was acting as Bilbo, he was often being directed by the guy he was playing against in the Riddles in the Dark scene. That’s a lot of pressure on one set.
What to Watch Next to See More of These Actors
If you’ve finished the trilogy and want to see the range of the men who played Bilbo in The Hobbit, you have some homework.
For Martin Freeman, Sherlock is the obvious choice, but his work in the first season of the Fargo TV series is chilling. It shows a much darker side of the "timid man" persona he used for Bilbo. For Ian Holm, check out Alien (1979). He plays Ash, and it is about as far away from a friendly hobbit as you can get. Seeing his range makes you appreciate his warmth as Bilbo even more.
To truly understand the character, watch the films in this order:
- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
- The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
- The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
- The Fellowship of the Ring
Watching them in this sequence allows you to see the "de-aging" of the character and then the transition back to the older, Ring-corrupted version of Holm. It’s a masterclass in how two different actors can share a single soul across six massive films.
The casting of Bilbo Baggins wasn't just about finding someone short enough to fit the description. It was about finding someone who could handle the weight of Tolkien’s world while keeping their feet firmly planted on the ground. Whether it’s Freeman’s stammers or Holm’s twinkling eyes, they both captured the essence of what it means to go there and back again.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Compare the "Riddles in the Dark" chapter in the book to the Freeman/Serkis film scene to see how much of the dialogue was kept verbatim.
- Watch the behind-the-scenes "Production Diaries" on YouTube to see the physical training Freeman went through to move like a hobbit.
- Track down the 1977 animated version to hear Orson Bean’s take; it’s a fascinating time capsule of how the character was viewed before the Jackson era.