The plot of The Lord of the Rings is well-known to all fantasy fans. Frodo embarks on his dangerous journey with a group of loyal friends, including representatives of different races. Among them are other hobbits: gardener Sam and the duo Merry and Pippin, who often find themselves in trouble. However, in Tolkien's books, there was one more important hobbit.
The Fifth Hobbit in The Lord of the Rings
This is Fredegar Bolger, also known as "Fatty" or "Donut." He is a distant relative of Frodo and a good friend. In the book, Fredegar is involved in investigating Merry's visions. He is aware of Frodo's secret journey to Rivendell. When the other characters set off on their journey, Fredegar stays in the Shire.
He pretends to be Frodo, living in his house and acting as a decoy for the Ringwraiths so the heroes can leave safely. When Saruman attempted to seize power in the Shire, the brave Fredegar led a rebellion and fought back. For this, he was imprisoned, but later freed by the other hobbits.
Fredegar in the Movies
As for the films, this bright character only appears in the extended version of a scene in The Fellowship of the Ring. It’s a moment when the characters are celebrating Bilbo’s birthday. The audience isn't even introduced to him since he doesn't play any key role in the plot.
It seems that Peter Jackson decided this character was too insignificant. Moreover, the director excluded scenes of the Shire’s capture, in which "Fatty" was involved, and instead focused on developing the other hobbits' personalities.
