Gollum is the creature who says “My precious” while possessing the One Ring in J.R.R. Tolkien’s works.
Gollum was originally Sméagol, a Hobbit-like member of the Stoor branch of Hobbits. He obtained the Ring from Déagol after murdering him, then hid beneath the Misty Mountains for centuries. The Ring prolonged his life while gradually damaging his body, mind, and relationships.
Bilbo Baggins encounters Gollum in The Hobbit and wins the Ring during their riddle game. Gollum later tracks the Ring’s new bearer, helping reveal its importance to readers and characters alike. In The Lord of the Rings, he is both a threat and an unwilling guide toward Mordor.
Gollum’s repeated possessive phrase is sometimes attributed to Sméagol as though the names describe separate creatures. They are two names for the same character, with “Gollum” reflecting the choking sound he makes.