Actor Bernard Hill, renowned for his performances in “Lord of the Rings” and “Titanic”, has passed away at the age of 79, as confirmed by his agent.
In addition to his notable roles in “Lord of the Rings” and “Titanic,” Bernard Hill also featured in the BBC drama series “Boys From The Blackstuff” and the 2015 BBC adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s novel “Wolf Hall”.
His agent, Lou Coulson, informed the PA news agency that Hill passed away in the early hours of Sunday.
In the Oscar-winning 1997 epic romance “Titanic,” Bernard Hill portrayed Captain Edward Smith, sharing the screen with stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.
In the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy directed by Sir Peter Jackson, he portrayed Theoden, King of Rohan.
Hill joined the “Lord of the Rings” cast for the second film in the trilogy, 2002’s “The Two Towers”, which won Academy Awards for Best Sound Editing and Best Visual Effects.
He reprised his role in the “Lord of the Rings” franchise for 2003’s “The Return of the King”, which clinched 11 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Sir Peter Jackson.
Bernard Hill initially gained recognition as Yosser Hughes in Alan Bleasdale’s “Boys From The Blackstuff”, which aired in 1982, depicting the lives of five unemployed men.
His portrayal earned him a Bafta TV nomination in 1983, the same year the show won the Bafta for Best Drama Series.
In the adaptation of “Wolf Hall”, centered around the court of Henry VIII, Hill portrayed the Duke of Norfolk, uncle to Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard.
He also starred in the second series of the BBC drama “The Responder” alongside Martin Freeman, set to air on Sunday.
The BBC praised Bernard Hill as an “incredible talent” who left an indelible mark on the screen throughout his career.
Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, highlighted Hill’s iconic roles and remarkable talent, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with him on projects like “Boys From The Blackstuff,” “Wolf Hall”, “The Responder”, and more.
Hill’s diverse credits include Clint Eastwood’s “True Crime,” the 1989 rom-com “Shirley Valentine,” the 1999 film adaptation of “Great Expectations,” and 2002’s “The Scorpion King” starring Dwayne Johnson.
Actress and singer Barbara Dickson, who worked with Hill in a musical based on the Beatles, paid tribute to him, describing him as a “marvellous actor”.
She shared a photo of them together and expressed sadness at his passing, acknowledging the privilege of having worked alongside him.
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