Bernard Hill, renowned for his role in “The Lord of the Rings,” has passed away at 79 years old.
His agent, Lou Coulson, confirmed his passing to the BBC on Sunday, May 5th.
Hill is widely recognized for his portrayal of King Théoden of Rohan in the latter two installments of the Lord of the Rings series, The Two Towers and The Return of the King.
The film achieved global acclaim, and Hill was frequently lauded for his performance in the franchise.
He and fellow Lord of the Rings star Viggo Mortensen were honored by the film’s stunt team with a haka, recognizing them as the actors who portrayed Middle Earth’s kings.
Bernard Hill has died at the age of 79. (Shirlaine Forrest/Getty Images)
Prior to his role in The Lord of the Rings, Hill portrayed Captain Smith in Titanic, depicting the iconic moment when the captain chooses to go down with his ship.
And for those who are a bit older, Hill may be remembered for his work in “Boys from the Blackstuff.”
In the series, Hill portrayed Jimmy ‘Yosser’ Hughes, an unemployed tarmac layer who came to symbolize the struggles of many Britons during the 1980s.
Hill remained engaged in television right up until his final days.
In the upcoming weeks, he’ll make a return to our TV screens, starring in the second season of the Martin Freeman-led drama “The Responder.”
Numerous individuals have taken to social media to honor the actor, with fans describing him as “an incredible, raw actor” and “one of the greats.”
Hill in the Titanic. (CBS via Getty Images)
Barbara Dickson, who collaborated with Hill in the past, shared on X: “It’s with great sadness that I acknowledge the passing of Bernard Hill. We collaborated in ‘John Paul George Ringo and Bert,’ Willy Russell’s marvelous show from 1974-1975. He was truly a remarkable actor.”
“It was a privilege to have crossed paths with him. RIP Benny.”
Another fan on X expressed: “Rest in Peace Bernard Hill – the man responsible for the most iconic scene in cinematic history.”
“A sword-day, a red day, before the sun rises! Ride now, ride now, ride to Gondor!”
While a third commenter remarked: “So sad to hear about the death of Bernard Hill. His portrayal of King Théoden is just incredible – what a legacy to have.”
