Titanic And Lord Of The Rings Actor Bernard Hill Passes Away At The Age Of 79

Renowned English actor Bernard Hill, celebrated for his compelling portrayals in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy and ‘Titanic,’ has passed away at the age of 79.

Barbara Dickson announced this news on X (formerly Twitter), expressing her sorrow, “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’s marvelous show 1974-1975. A truly remarkable actor. It was an honor to have crossed paths with him. RIP Benny x (sic).”

Following Hill’s demise, fans came together to pay homage to his talent. Many praised his versatility, acknowledging his skill in seamlessly transitioning between portraying dramatic historical figures and intricate characters such as Yosser Hughes, the working-class lead in the influential British miniseries ‘Boys from the Blackstuff.’

Hill’s memorable depiction of King Theoden, the conflicted yet steadfast ruler of Rohan in ‘The Lord of the Rings,’ resonated with audiences globally. Additionally, his poignant performance as Captain Edward Smith, the ill-fated leader of the RMS Titanic, in James Cameron’s Academy Award-winning disaster epic left a lasting impact.

Over a career spanning more than five decades, Hill took on a diverse array of roles across stage, television, and film. He holds the distinction of being the only actor to have featured in two films that collectively garnered an unprecedented eleven Academy Awards – ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’ and ‘Titanic.’

In the notable BBC TV series “Wolf Hall” from 2015, based on Hilary Mantel’s work capturing the era of Henry VIII, Bernard Hill delivered a memorable performance as the Duke of Norfolk. This character, an adversary of Cardinal Wolsey and the uncle of Anne Boleyn, showcased Hill’s versatile acting skills.

Throughout his extensive career spanning decades, Hill took on a variety of roles that left a lasting impact. From his appearance in the esteemed 1976 BBC series “I, Claudius,” to his role in the acclaimed film “Gandhi” in 1982, and further projects like “Shirley Valentine” in 1989, “The Scorpion King” in 2002, and the 2008 Tom Cruise feature “Valkyrie,” Bernard Hill’s talent shone through in each diverse portrayal.