Gollum is a "a small, slimy creature" who lived on a small island in the center of an underground lake at the roots of the Misty Mountains. He survived on cave fish, which he caught from his small boat, and small goblins who strayed too far from the stronghold of the Great Goblin. Over the years, his eyes adapted to the dark and became "lamp-like", shining with a sickly pale light.

Gollum is old beyond his time, his life extended by The Ring. He looks like an emaciated creature that has suffered much. He seems to have developed two personalities. Gollum, from the swallowing noise it makes, is an angry aggressive creature. Whereas Sméagol still clings to old memories and seems to be more fightened and shy. When in trouble or danger Gollum usually comes to the fore but both are dominated by The Ring!