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The Complete Timeline Of Smeagol's Transformation To Gollum

June 15, 2021 143.8K views 14 items

If you've seen the Lord of the Rings films, you have a good idea of how Smeagol turned into Gollum. But if you've seen only the films, you don't know the full story. The books bring new light to the already illuminating cinematic portrayal of Smeagol's transformation. For instance, the movies don't mention his prestigious family, his first meeting with Shelob, or his torment at the hands of Gandalf! There are many more details to divulge, as the rise, fall, second rise, and final, literal fall of Smeagol/Gollum is one of the most compelling stories ever put on page.

Here's the complete Smeagol/Gollum transformation timeline.

Note: TA means Third Age.

TA 2430: Born A Hobbit To A Wealthy Hobbit Family
Photo: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King / New Line Cinema
Smeagol was no middle-class Middle-earthling. He was born to an elite family helmed by a venerable matriarch.

He was middle-sized, however, as Smeagol's race is hobbit of the riverland Stoor-kind.
TA 2463: Found The Ring And Choked His Cousin For It
Photo: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King / New Line Cinema
On the day of his 33rd birthday, Smeagol was treated to a fishing trip by his friend and relative (presumably a cousin) Deagol. After hooking a big fish, Deagol was pulled out of the boat and deep underwater. It was there he came upon the One Ring, which had embedded itself in the river over two millennia prior when Isildur was ambushed by Orcs.

He emerged from the river with ring in hand and under the envious eye of Smeagol, who requested the newly discovered treasure as a birthday gift. When Deagol refused, Smeagol strangled him. He then became the fourth Ring-bearer.
Renamed 'Gollum' For The Coughing Sound He Made
Photo: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King / New Line Cinema
The ring was quick to exert its dark influence on Smeagol. He became obsessed with his precious possession, constantly mumbling and gurgling for no reason that his disconcerted community members could understand.

Based on those sounds, they took to calling him "Gollum."
TA 2470: Banished By His People For Stealing
Photo: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring / New Line Cinema
It didn't take long for Gollum to become alienated in his community. The ring caused him to act erratically and criminally, which caused his peers to respond in kind.

Distancing himself, Gollum resorted to stealing in order to survive. It was his own grandmother who finally decreed his banishment.
Moved To The Misty Mountains So He Could Enjoy The Ring More
Photo: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring / New Line Cinema
The exiled Gollum wandered for some time before taking refuge in the Misty Mountains. He was drawn by the darkness, mysteries, and scores of fish found within the cavernous interior.

Gollum spent over 400 years in the mountains, his life extended by the ring.
Grew Weaker Because Of The Ring’s Power
Photo: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King / New Line Cinema
Although the ring let Gollum live five times longer than the average hobbit, it did so at an unrecoupable cost.

It disfigured his body and mind, turning a happy aristocrat into a mad monster, hence why he came to be known as a "creature."
TA 2941: Bilbo Took The Ring From Him
Photo: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring / New Line Cinema
After getting separated from the Dwarves during the Quest of Erebor, Bilbo Baggins unknowingly entered Gollum's domicile in the Misty Mountains. Like Deagol, Bilbo stumbled upon the ring, which was lying on the floor of one of the tunnels. It had abandoned Gollum after sensing its true master (Sauron) was again coming to power. Bilbo pocketed the ring and continued through the labyrinth, eventually meeting Gollum, who challenged him to a riddle game.

If Gollum won, he'd eat Bilbo; if Bilbo won, Gollum would lead him out of the cave. Bilbo ended up stumping Gollum with the riddle, "What have I got in my pocket?" but Gollum failed to keep his end of the bargain.

Finding his ring missing, Gollum realized the answer to the riddle and exploded. With destruction on his mind, he chased down Bilbo. But before Gollum could accomplish his goal, Bilbo discovered the ring's power of invisibility and escaped the cavern unharmed.

Gollum cried out that he'd hate Baggins forever.
TA 2943: Searched For Bilbo But The Trail Went Cold
Photo: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers / New Line Cinema
Although Gollum left the Misty Mountains to hunt for Bilbo, he didn't do it immediately. Fear of roaming goblins kept him at bay for two years.

Once he got on the trail, it was cold, but he went westward and learned from the Men of Dale that Bilbo was a hobbit from the Shire. After a few more years of wandering, Gollum drastically changed his course.
TA 2980: Made His Way To Mordor Where He Was Captured; He Then Revealed To Sauron That The Ring Was Still Out There
Photo: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring / New Line Cinema
Following the lead of other dark-hearted creatures drawn to Sauron's rapidly increasing power, Gollum traveled to Mordor. It took him 30 years to arrive, at which point he met the spider Shelob.

Shortly thereafter, he was captured by Sauron's servants and tormented for information about the ring. Gollum gave them the names "Shire" and "hobbits."
TA 3017: Released But Later Caught By Aragorn And Interrogated By Gandalf, Who Learned About The Ring
Photo: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring / New Line Cinema
Having provided valuable information to Sauron, Gollum was let go. At the same time, Gandalf was trying to gather his own information about the enigmatic creature. Luckily for him, Aragorn captured Gollum and delivered him to the Grey Wizard. Gandalf subjected Gollum to interrogation that bordered on torment, as he threatened him with fire.

Bit by bit, Gandalf learned the story and whereabouts of Gollum's "precious." The latter fact he already suspected, but Gollum's appearance and behavior convinced him that the ring was not just a Ring of Power, but the One Ring to rule them all.

TA 3018: Kept Imprisoned By Wood Elves Until He Escaped With Orcs
Photo: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers / New Line Cinema
Before rushing to the Shire to warn of impending danger, Gandalf left Gollum with the Elves of Mirkwood. However, the community was raided by Orcs, which fostered Gollum's escape.

He then hid out in Moria until a certain fellowship crossed his path.
TA 3019: Started Following The Fellowship
Photo: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers / New Line Cinema
The Fellowship of the Ring, led by Frodo Baggins, nephew of Bilbo and newest Ring-bearer, passed through Moria on their quest to destroy their namesake. Gollum followed them out of the mines and across the Anduin river, which he navigated on a floating log. It wasn't until Frodo and his best friend Sam split from the Fellowship that Gollum made his move.

He tried to strangle Sam but was held back by Frodo, who decided to take mercy on Gollum if he'd help them reach Mordor. Gollum agreed, but with his fingers proverbially crossed.
TA 3019: Guided Frodo And Sam To Mount Doom, Plotting To Betray Them And Take The Ring
Photo: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King / New Line Cinema
Gollum successfully guided Frodo and Sam to the Black Gate of Mordor. Since the gate was heavily guarded, Gollum convinced the hobbits to take an alternate route up the side of a mountain. This pass led right to Shelob, to which Gollum had secretly promised to bring more food. Shelob paralyzed Frodo in preparation for consumption, but Sam came to the rescue by piercing her with his Elven sword, appropriately named Sting. Frodo was picked up by Orcs and taken to the Tower of Cirith Ungol, but once again, Sam saved his Ring-bearing friend. As the poison had worn off, Frodo and Sam made their way to Mount Doom.

Gollum was nowhere to be found.
TA 3019: Perished At The Age Of 589 After Jumping Into Mount Doom For The Ring
Photo: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King / New Line Cinema
Frodo, standing at the Cracks of Doom, an unclenched fist away from making Sauron extinct, claimed the ring for himself and put it on. Then Gollum came out of nowhere, striking the invisible Frodo and eventually biting off his ring finger.

Finally reunited with his "precious," Gollum stumbled off the cliff, destroying himself, Frodo's finger, and the ring in the fires of Mount Doom.