While Bilbo Baggins does not play a large role in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, he does have an extremely important role in The Hobbit and is the one who found The One Ring in the dark dwelling of Gollum's Lair located in the Misty Mountains. Bilbo percieves the ring to just be a magical ring giving him the ability to disappear. Little does he know of it's evil, addicting and capable of prolonging life. In The Hobbit Bilbo is recruited by Gandalf to play the role of a thief in Thorin Oakenshield's party. The party's quest is set out to go to the Lonely Mountain to destroy the dragon Smaug. During his quest not only does he find The One Ring, but he is given the sword Sting from plunder in a troll cave, and he is also given a coat of Mithril from Thorin.

In the The Fellowship of the Ring Bilbo celebrates his 111th birthday and decides to vanish and set of to stay in Rivendell. He leaves The Shire forever, and leaves behind The One Ring and Bag End for his adopted nephew Frodo Baggins.