Beloved actor passed away in the early hours of this morning.
Beloved actor passed away in the early hours of this morning.
Early this morning, Bernard Hill passed away. Renowned for his roles in major hits like “Boys from the Black Stuff” and “Gandhi,” Hill’s death was confirmed by his agent, Lou Coulson, who told the BBC that he had died tragically. Tributes to the star are already pouring in.
Hill’s portrayal of Captain Edward Smith in the Oscar-winning 1997 movie “Titanic” remains iconic. Following that, he captivated audiences as King Théoden in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy.
Barb Dickson expressed her sorrow on X, writing, “It makes me very sad to hear about Bernard Hill’s death. We worked together on the great show John Paul George Ringo and Bert Willy Russell from 1974 to 1975. A truly wonderful actor. It was an honor to have met him. Benny, rest in peace.”
The BBC hailed him as an “incredible talent” who “blazed a trail across the screen” throughout his career. Lindsay Salt, head of BBC Drama, stated, “Bernard Hill blazed a trail across the screen, and his long career filled with iconic and remarkable roles is a testament to his incredible talent. We are very proud to have worked with Bernard at the BBC on shows like ‘Boys from the Black Stuff,’ ‘Wolf Hall,’ ‘The Responder,’ and many more.” She added, “At this sad time, our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Born and raised in Manchester, Hill attended the Manchester Polytechnic School of Drama. He had his first TV role as Police Constable Cluff in the Granada TV show “Crown Court” in 1976. He gained prominence playing Yosser Hughes on Alan Bleasdale’s BBC show “Boys from the Blackstuff.”
In theater, Hill starred in leading roles in productions like “The Cherry Orchard” and “A View from the Bridge.” By the mid-1990s, he began appearing more frequently in films. His first major film role was in “The Ghost and the Darkness,” before he played Captain Edward J. Smith in “Titanic.” In “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers,” Hill portrayed King Théoden of Rohan, a role he reprised in “The Return of the King” in 2003, which won 11 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Sir Peter Jackson.
Online, “Lord of the Rings” fans remembered him fondly. One fan highlighted his performance, calling him “the man responsible for the most iconic scene in cinematic history” during a battle scene where he rode to Gondor.
Hill was set to return to TV next Sunday in the second season of the BBC drama “The Responder,” starring Martin Freeman.
Outside of his work, Hill was a devoted Manchester United fan. In 2019, he received an honorary degree from the University of East Anglia.
The late actor was married to American actress Marianna Hill, known for her roles in Westerns like “El Condor” and “High Plains Drifter.” They had a son named Gabriel and a daughter together. Before his tragic death, Bernard and Marianna resided in Suffolk, England.