Actor Bernard Hill, renowned for his roles in “Titanic” and “Lord of the Rings,” has passed away at the age of 79.
Hill portrayed Captain Edward Smith in the 1997 Oscar-winning film “Titanic” and King Théoden in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy.
He gained widespread recognition for his role as Yosser Hughes in the 1982 BBC TV drama “Boys from the Blackstuff,” a character grappling with unemployment in Liverpool.
Confirmation of Hill’s passing came early Sunday morning from his agent Lou Coulson, who stated that he was with his fiancée Alison and his son Gabriel at the time.
At Comic Con in Liverpool, actors Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan, and Billy Boyd, known for their roles as hobbits in “Lord of the Rings,” paid tribute to their co-star. Astin described Hill as “intrepid, funny, gruff, irascible, and beautiful,” while Boyd praised his portrayal of Tolkien’s words and expressed deep sorrow at his passing.
Alan Bleasdale, the writer of “Boys from the Blackstuff,” mourned Hill’s loss, describing his performance as “astonishing” and “mesmeric.” He emphasized Hill’s enduring impact and the strength he brought to his roles.
Hill, originally from Manchester and residing in Suffolk, was set to appear in the second series of BBC drama “The Responder,” alongside Martin Freeman. Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, hailed Hill’s illustrious career and expressed gratitude for his contributions to various iconic productions.
His portrayal of Yosser Hughes in “Boys from the Blackstuff” earned him acclaim, with the series winning a Bafta and being lauded as one of the greatest TV shows. Hill’s performance in “Wolf Hall” and his role in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy further solidified his reputation as a versatile and talented actor.
Throughout his extensive career, Hill appeared in numerous notable productions, including “I, Claudius,” “Gandhi,” “Shirley Valentine,” “The Scorpion King,” and “Valkyrie.”
His unexpected passing saddened fans and colleagues alike, with Comic Con Liverpool expressing their condolences and recalling Hill’s canceled appearance at the event. Scottish musician Barbara Dickson also paid tribute, describing him as a “marvellous actor” and expressing gratitude for having crossed paths with him.
