Iconic Actor Bernard Hill is Dead
Actor Bernard Hill, renowned for his memorable roles in acclaimed films and television series such as “Titanic” and “Lord of the Rings,” has passed away at the age of 79.
Hill’s portrayal of Captain Edward Smith in the 1997 Oscar-winning film “Titanic” and King Théoden in “Lord of the Rings” left an indelible mark on cinema.
His career breakthrough occurred with the BBC TV drama “Boys from the Blackstuff,” where he delivered a compelling performance as Yosser Hughes, a character grappling with unemployment in Liverpool.
Confirming his passing, his agent Lou Coulson stated that Hill died early on Sunday morning.
Tributes honoring Hill’s legacy have poured in following the announcement of his demise.
Scottish musician Barbara Dickson paid homage to Hill’s talent, describing him as “a really marvelous actor” and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to have worked with him.
Originally from Manchester, Hill was slated to appear in the second series of the BBC drama “The Responder,” alongside Martin Freeman, set to premiere on Sunday.
Hill’s portrayal of Yosser Hughes in “Boys from the Blackstuff” earned critical acclaim, contributing to the series winning a BAFTA for best drama series in 1983 and securing its place as one of the top TV shows of all time.
Among his notable performances, Hill portrayed the Duke of Norfolk in the 2015 drama series “Wolf Hall,” based on Hilary Mantel’s novel about Henry VIII’s court.
He also gained widespread acclaim for his roles in Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy.
Throughout his extensive career, Hill’s talent shone in various productions, including the 1976 BBC TV series “I, Claudius,” “Gandhi” in 1982, “Shirley Valentine” in 1989, “The Scorpion King” in 2002, and “Valkyrie” in 2008, alongside Tom Cruise.
