'The Lord of the Rings,' 'Titanic' star Bernard Hill passes away

Bernard Hill, the renowned British actor celebrated for his roles in "Titanic" and "The Lord of the Rings," died at 79, his agent Lou Coulson announced Sunday.

Hill, who portrayed the stoic Captain Edward Smith in the 1997 blockbuster "Titanic" and the valiant King Theoden in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, passed away early Sunday morning surrounded by his fiancee Alison and son Gabriel.

Coulson confirmed Hill's death to British media outlets, although the family has chosen not to disclose the cause of death at this time. Throughout his career, which spanned over five decades, Hill captivated audiences with performances that garnered widespread acclaim.

Dominic Monaghan, Hill's co-star from "The Lord of the Rings," honored him on Instagram, saying: "The Broken king has passed to the grey havens, but he will always be remembered." This sentiment reflects the deep admiration and respect Hill commanded among his peers.

Hill first gained significant recognition for portraying Yosser Hughes in the 1982 BBC drama "Boys from the Blackstuff." This role, praised for its depth and intensity, remains one of the era's finest examples of dramatic television.

Alan Bleasdale, the writer of "Boys from the Blackstuff," praised Hill's contribution to the show, saying: "It was an astonishing, mesmeric performance – Bernard gave everything to that and you can see it in all the scenes."

Beyond his historical roles, Hill was set to appear in the second series of the BBC drama The Responder, which aired later that day.

Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, commented on Hill's extensive career: "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." She added, "Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this sad time."

Source: Newsroom