Formerly called Sméagol, he was a hobbit of the Strong branch who lived in the Gladden Fields. One year, while fishing with his cousin Déagol in the Anduin, he found the One Ring at the bottom of the river and Sméagol murdered him to take possession of it. After being banished by his people, Sméagol wandered aimlessly and ended up taking refuge in the Misty Mountains, where the Ring unnaturally lengthened his life and his power almost completely consumed him.