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John Howe - Gollum.jpg
Biographical Information
Other namesSméagol
Birthc. T.A. 2430[1]
Near Gladden Fields
Death25 March T.A. 3019 (aged c. 589)
Mount Doom
Physical Description
Hair colorThin, lank[2]




Sméagol was a Hobbit, but he spent long centuries (thanks to the Ring) in darkness and damp, influenced by the Ring. He was reduced to a small, extremely thin and wiry person, with scrawny neck, black skin, flat feet, long thin hands with clammy fingers, and large pale eyes that seemed to glow. His vision was weak and he developed an acute sense of hearing.

He could move and climb silently like a spider, and although he had six teeth[3], had the ability to give deep bites, and was able to bite off Frodo's finger.


Early life


Around the year T.A. 2463, on his birthday, with his close relative Déagol they went fishing in the Gladden Fields. It was there that Déagol found a gold ring, after being pulled into the water by a large fish. Sméagol demanded the ring as a birthday present and strangled Deágol when he refused. Sméagol became the fourth Ring-bearer after Sauron, Isildur, and Déagol.

After this event, he started to make a gurgling sound from his throat; for this his family called him "Gollum". Sméagol was quickly corrupted further by the ring and, banished by his people, was forced to find a home in a cave in the Misty Mountains. The Ring's malignant influence twisted his Hobbit body and mind and prolonged his life far beyond its natural limits. He called it his "Precious" or his "Birthday Present," the latter as a justification for killing Déagol.

He lived in the Misty Mountains and the Ring stretched his life longer. He lived longer than any other Hobbit could, and for over four hundred years he managed to live on raw fish, which he caught from his small raft, and Goblins. In later years he found Hobbit and Elven food repulsive.

Departure of the Ring

Riddles in the Dark by Michael Hague.


His addiction to the Ring was so great that he overcame his hatred and fear of the Sun, the Moon and other creatures. He left the Mountains and pursued Bilbo, but the trail was cold. He made his way into Mordor, where he was captured and forced to reveal what he knew about the Ring. Thus Sauron's spies learned from him the names "Shire" and "Baggins". By T.A. 3017 Gollum was then set free, but caught by Aragorn, who turned him over to Gandalf.

The Wizard managed to interrogate him and learned parts of the history of the Ring which he had not previously known. He placed him in the care of the Silvan Elves living in Thranduil's Woodland Realm of Mirkwood. In June of T.A. 3018, Orcs raided the Elves of Mirkwood (in an obviously coordinated attack) allowing Gollum to escape. He resumed his search of the Ring and he was brought into Moria but could not open the Doors of Durin.

The War of the Ring



"Gollum's Debate" by Ted Nasmith.

Frodo's kindness brought out the "Sméagol" personality, and he made at least some effort to keep his promise. The two had a strange sort of bond from both having been Ringbearers; in Gollum, Frodo saw his possible future, and so wanted to save him so he could save himself. Gollum also feared Frodo, and also through that helping him would deprive Sauron from the Ring.




"The Stairs of Cirith Ungol" by Peter Xavier Price.





Sméagol was the most inquisitive and curious-minded of his community. He owed his name to his interest in roots and deep pools; he burrowed and tunnelled under trees, plants and mounds.

During his centuries of loneliness and under the Ring's influence, he developed a sort of multiple personality: his evil personality was a slave to the Ring and would kill for it, overwhelming his former self, who still vaguely remembered things like friendship and love. Not having anyone else to speak to, he often quarrelled with himself. Gollum both loved and hated the Ring and himself. He often referred both to the Ring and himself as "my Preciiouss", perhaps confusing the two entities.[1]


Other aspects of the Ring's corruption was the aversion to all living creatures, especially the Elves and all things Elven. The Elven rope burnt his skin, and lembas tasted like dust to him.

Sméagol, as a Hobbit, was perhaps good at heart, and his killing was entirely the Ring's doing. But it's also likely that Sméagol was harboring dark thoughts to begin with. Their argument bases on several points, including...

  1. The sight of the Ring at the Council of Elrond or at many points in the journey of the Fellowship did not cause anyone to suddenly murder someone else.
  3. Bilbo was corrupted far more slowly by the Ring because his adventures with it began with an act of mercy, while Gollum began his with murder.[4]






Other versions of the Legendarium


Portrayal in adaptations

Pictures of adaptations of Gollum
Gollum as a Lego mini figure  


1977: The Hobbit (1977 film):


1978: The Lord of the Rings (1978 film):


1980:The Return of the King (1980 film):




2012-14: The Hobbit (film series):

Andy Serkis will reprise his role as Gollum.[6]

Radio series


The voice of Gollum is provided by Gerik Schjelderup.[7]

1968: The Hobbit (1968 radio series):



Gail Chugg provided the voice of Gollum.








2003: Sierra's The Hobbit:








2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:


2012: Guardians of Middle-earth:


See also

External links


  1. 1.0 1.1 Robert Foster, The Complete Guide to Middle-earth, p. 167, entry "Gollum"
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit
  7. Radio Times, Volume 133, No. 1723, November 16, 1956
  8. The Hobbit (1968 radio series), "Riddles in the Dark"
  12. The Hobbit (2003 video game), "Riddles in the Dark"
Preceded by:
c. T.A. 2463 - 2941
Followed by:
Bilbo Baggins
Preceded by:
Frodo Baggins
briefly, 25 March, T.A. 3019
Ring destroyed