When watching The Lord of the Rings, it’s hard to believe that the hobbit heroes aren’t youngsters. Their naivety, energy, and appearance make them seem like they’re barely teenagers. But if you look into J.R.R. Tolkien’s canon, things aren’t that simple. At the time of the events of the original trilogy, the main characters were actually quite mature — at least by hobbit standards.
Frodo Baggins — 50 years old
In the movie, the story begins with a celebration of Bilbo’s 111th birthday and Frodo’s 33rd. But in the book, there’s a gap of... 17 years between that party and the start of the journey! During that time, Frodo, who inherits Bag End from his uncle, lives a quiet and measured life — until he learns from Gandalf that he possesses the One Ring. At the beginning of the trek to Mount Doom, he is already 50. But he looks younger — partly thanks to the ring, which slows aging.
Sam Gamgee — 38 years old
Sam is 12 years younger than Frodo. He is his gardener and, at the same time, his most loyal companion. His common sense and practicality give the entire group a sense of stability. Despite being younger, Sam often seems more mature — both morally and emotionally.
Merry — 36 years old
Meriadoc Brandybuck is a distant relative of Frodo and a close friend. In the book, he’s one of the first to suspect the true nature of the ring and actively helps his friend. At the time of the Council of Elrond, Merry is only 36, but he is already of age by hobbit standards.
Pippin — 28 years old
Peregrin Took is the youngest in the company. He is 28, and Elrond seriously doubts whether he should be included in the Fellowship. At first, Pippin is impulsive, noisy, and careless, but later he shows incredible bravery in battle.
It’s funny that the oldest actor among the hobbit performers was Billy Boyd — Pippin. At the time of filming, he was about 30 years old, even though he played the youngest character. Meanwhile, Elijah Wood, who played Frodo, was only 17.
So on screen — youth, but in fact — adult hobbits with varied life experiences. That’s what makes their group so vibrant and interesting.
