Gandalf is the wizard who guides Bilbo Baggins in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit.
He arranges Bilbo’s participation in Thorin Oakenshield’s expedition to the Lonely Mountain. Gandalf recognizes that Bilbo’s small size, courage, intelligence, and ability to move quietly may make him valuable to the company, even though Bilbo initially considers himself unsuited to adventure.
In Tolkien’s wider mythology, Gandalf is one of the Istari, spiritual beings sent to Middle-earth to oppose Sauron. His original name among the Maiar is Olórin, and he is also known as Mithrandir and Gandalf the Grey.
Saruman and Radagast are also wizards in Tolkien’s world, which makes them common mix-ups. Elrond, by contrast, is an Elven lord rather than one of the Istari.