The film industry is mourning the loss of a beloved star as Bernard Hill, known for his iconic roles in Titanic and The Lord of the Rings trilogy, has passed away at the age of 79.
Hill’s agent confirmed that the British actor died early on May 5, with his fiancée Alison and son Gabriel by his side. The cause of his death has not been disclosed.
Remembering Bernard Hill
Born in Manchester, England, Hill began his acting career in the late ’70s in the UK, primarily appearing in British TV shows such as Crown Court. He later transitioned to film, starring in notable movies like Gandhi and The Ghost and the Darkness.
However, his breakout role came in 1997 when he portrayed Captain Edward Smith in James Cameron’s Titanic, alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.
In 2002, Bernard Hill joined Dwayne Johnson in The Scorpion King and made his debut as King Théoden in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, a role he reprised in the trilogy’s final installment, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, the following year.
Hill continued to act over the next two decades, most recently appearing in the second season of the British police drama series The Responder, which premiered on BBC One as scheduled on the day of his passing.
BBC Drama Director Lindsay Salt paid tribute to Bernard Hill, saying,
“Bernard Hill blazed a trail across the screen, and his long-lasting career filled with iconic and remarkable roles is a testament to his incredible talent.”
Following the news of Hill’s passing, his Lord of the Rings costars Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, Elijah Wood, and Karl Urban, among others, shared heartfelt tributes on social media, remembering him as a talented actor and a beloved friend.
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