Acting My Life

Acting My Life Synopsis

Over the last fifty years Ian Holm has become one of the most respected and widely admired actors of his generation. After making a brilliant impact at the RSC in the 1960s, he consolidated his reputation with work for Harold Pinter, he then turned to film, appearing in cult and popular classics such as Alien, Chariots of Fire, The Fifth Element and Lord of the Rings. On stage, his King Lear was reckoned to be one of the best of the twentieth century, while others might remember him for his portrayal of J. M. Barrie in BBC television's The Lost Boys, or for his work in Atom Egoyam's acclaimed film, The Sweet Hereafter. His varied career, encompassing stage, screen, television, and radio, has seen him play an android, Napoleon, Polonius, King Lear, Hercule Poirot, Lewis Carroll and a hobbit, amongst many others.

Now he has written his story. It is a compelling mix of anecdote and observation, taking in not only half a century of acting but also the experience of growing up next to the mental asylum run by his father. Often candid and funny, his autobiography combines his personal and professional lives. He talks with insight about his on-stage breakdown (which led to a prolonged absence from the stage), the women in his life, the nervous condition which still haunts him, and his battle with cancer. He also provides a rare and intimate window into the lives of the peculiar people who inhabit a strange profession. Ian Holm's story is both honest and touching. His one lifelong commitment has been to his acting, and that same intensity and captivating charm now enriches his writing.

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