Lord of the Rings, Titanic star Bernard Hill dies, 79

Bernard Hill, who played the captain in Titanic and King Theoden in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, has died suddenly ahead of a scheduled appearance.

Bernard Hill has died aged 79.

British actor Bernard Hill, best known for his supporting roles in “Titanic” and “The Lord Of The Rings” trilogy, died on Sunday aged 79, his agent announced.

He played Captain Edward Smith in the Oscar-winning 1997 epic romance “Titanic” opposite Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, and earned worldwide recognition playing Theoden, King of Rohan, in two of the three “The Lord Of The Rings” films directed by Peter Jackson.

His agent Lou Coulson confirmed his death in the early hours of Sunday to British media outlets. A cause of death has not yet been revealed.

He had been due to appear at Liverpool’s Comic-Con over the weekend but cancelled at the last minute, the convention said in a post on X.

As news of his death broke, the organisers took to social media to lead the tributes.

“We’re heartbroken to hear the news of Bernard Hill’s passing,” they wrote on X.

“A great loss. Thinking of his family at this very sad time, and wishing them a lot of strength.”

Bernard Hill was best known for playing King Théoden in the Lord of the Rings. Picture: X.

And for his portrayal of Captain Edward Smith in 1997 blockbuster, Titanic. Picture: X.

Rest in Peace Bernard Hill - the man responsible for 𝗧𝗛𝗘 most iconic scene in cinematic history.

A sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises! Ride now, ride now, ride to Gondor! pic.twitter.com/eTWnAlJ6Sb

— Nick Bell (@nickbellofbpl) May 5, 2024

Singer Barbara Dickson – who is known for her roles in West End shows such as ‘Blood Brothers’ and ‘Chess’ – worked with Hill in a play about the Beatles early on in their careers and noted that it was a “privilege” to have known him.

She wrote on X: “It’s with great sadness that I note the death of Bernard Hill. We worked together in ‘John Paul George Ringo and Bert’, Willy Russell marvellous show 1974-1975. A really marvellous actor. It was a privilege to have crossed paths with him. RIP Benny x.”

Actors Ian McKellen and Bernard Hill in a scene from film The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers’.

Early in his career, Hill featured in the BBC’s 1982 acclaimed drama “Boys from the Blackstuff”, which won numerous awards and is still lauded as one of the finest examples of its genre from the era.

Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, paid tribute to him, saying: “Bernard Hill blazed a trail across the screen, and his long-lasting career filled with iconic and remarkable roles is a testament to his incredible talent.”

“From Boys from the Blackstuff, to Wolf Hall, The Responder, and many more, we feel truly honoured to have worked with Bernard at the BBC. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this sad time.”

We’re heartbroken to hear the news of Bernard Hill’s passing. A great loss. Thinking of his family at this very sad time, and wishing them a lot of strength. pic.twitter.com/5kdMqz7pS5

— Comic Con Liverpool (@comconliverpool) May 5, 2024

He was due to return to television screens in series two of a contemporary BBC drama, The Responder, starring Martin Freeman, which begins airing in the UK later on Sunday.

– With AFP

Originally published as Lord of the Rings, Titanic star Bernard Hill dies, 79