British actor Bernard Hill, probably best known for his supporting roles in blockbusters Titanic and The Lord of the Rings-trilogy, died on Sunday at the age of 79, his agent confirmed.
Among other roles, Hill played the role of Captain Edward Smith in the Oscar-winning 1997 film Titanic and gained worldwide recognition for his role as Theoden, King of Rohan, in two of the three The Lord of the Rings-movies by peter jackson.
Lou Coulson, his agent, confirmed the actor’s death to British media in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Early in his career, Hill also appeared in the BBC’s 1982 drama Boys from the Blackstuff. It received several awards and is still highly regarded as one of the best examples of the genre from the specific time.
Hill also appears in the second series of the contemporary BBC drama The Responder, with Martin Freeman. It started showing in the UK on Sunday.
On social media, numerous actors, movie fans and other industry players paid tribute to Hill.
Rest in Peace Bernard Hill – the man responsible for ???????????? 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
So long to our friend, our king, Bernard Hill.
We will never forget you.
“For he was a gentle heart and a great king and kept his oaths; and he rose out of the shadows to a last fair morning.”
photo by Viggo pic.twitter.com/lxjepm5rUZ
— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) May 5, 2024
