Renowned British actor Bernard Hill, known for his roles as the Captain in “Titanic” and King Théoden in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, passed away at the age of 79 on the morning of the 5th local time.
Hollywood actor Bernard Hill portrayed Captain Edward John Smith in the 1997 Oscar-winning film “Titanic” and King Théoden in the “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. According to the British Broadcasting Corporation, his agent Lou Coulson confirmed his passing on Sunday morning, with no family statement released yet.
Scottish singer and actress Barbara Dickson confirmed the news on social media, expressing deep sorrow at Hill’s passing. She recalled their collaboration in a musical based on the story of The Beatles between 1974 and 1975.
Barbara said: “He was a remarkable actor. It was an honor to work alongside him.”
In “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,” Hill’s portrayal of King Théoden brought audiences unforgettable moments. From leading the Rohirrim to confront the army of Mordor to his tragic end, his performance left a lasting impact on fans.
Fans paid tribute to Hill on social media, praising his portrayal of Théoden in the epic battle scenes in “The Return of the King.” One fan wrote: “Bernard Hill, rest in peace – he created some of the most iconic scenes in cinematic history. For today, in the battle, blood shall be spilled upon the sands until the sunrise of the Red Sun! Charge forth! Charge forth! To Gondor!”
Bernard Hill was born on December 17, 1944, in Manchester, England. Over his career, he appeared in over 100 films and television productions. He received two British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Best Actor nominations for his roles in the 1982 film “Boys from the Blackstuff” and the 2005 film “A Very Social Secretary.” Hill was married to American actress Marianna Hill and they had one son.