A sad day for all Lord of the Rings fans – actor Bernard Hill has passed away at the age of 79 as confirmed by his agent Lou Coulson. The veteran actor died in the early morning of May 5th, as relayed to BBC.
Hill is best known for his works on Titanic and the Lord of the Rings trilogy, where he played Captain Edward Smith and King Théoden, respectively. He rose to stardom when he starred in the BBC TV drama Boys from the Blackstuff.
Bernard Hill Loved Working On Lord Of The Rings And Shared Advice For Future Directors
Bernard Hill’s family is yet to release a statement regarding the actor’s death. He was scheduled to attend Liverpool Comic-Con this week, but the event confirmed he won’t be making an appearance anymore after they issued a message on Twitter:
“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.”
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
The celebrated English actor once professed his love for Lord of the Rings. In his interview with Norwich Film Festival, he declared: “I loved every minute of every day that I was on Lord of the Rings.”
Even though he did not expect it would emerge as a massive hit among fans, he believed in the talent of director Peter Jackson. When asked what he regrets the most in his career, he confessed:
“One thing I do regret is not doing more directing. I have done bits of directing, but I do regret not doing more. Ages ago people assumed I would go on and do this, but I don’t know why I didn’t, but there is something coming up which has a writer attached to it, and there has been some trouble in getting it going, and I have been given the chance to direct and star in it.”
Hill also did not expect James Cameron’s Titanic will become a global phenomenon. In the same interview, he expressed willingness to work again with Cameron and Jackson in the future. When asked if he had any advice for aspiring filmmakers, Hill gave a straightforward answer: “Yeah, just do it!”
Fans may not be aware that Hill also appeared as a guest star in HBO’s Game of Thrones as Lord Terrence Tymber. Some of his other notable works include The Scorpion King, True Crime, and Wolf Hall, among others.
Fans Remember The Incredible Legacy Of Bernard Hill
Fans mourned the sudden passing of Hill, a legendary actor whose legacy will forever be marked in the history of theater, film, and television. Many expressed their sorrow for the loss of yet another important figure in the industry. Read their messages below:
RIP Bernard Hill.
His speech in as King Theoden in RTK will go down as one of the best in cinema history pic.twitter.com/BZFmuK3vyu
— Kenjac (@JackKennedy) May 5, 2024
So sad to hear about the death of Bernard Hill.
Having watched the Lord of the Rings trilogy at least 10 times – it’s ALWAYS this scene that I love most.
His portrayal of King Théoden is just incredible – what a legacy to have.
— Dan Moffat (@Dan_Moffat1998) May 5, 2024
Thank you, Bernard Hill, for a performance so many of us will always treasure: a truly unforgettable and epic portrayal of King Théoden 💛
Hail the victorious dead! pic.twitter.com/GpZQayvmZj
— JRR Jokien (@joshcarlosjosh) May 5, 2024
Godspeed, Bernard Hill. Folks will be sharing memories of his various roles today, but for me, Théoden King stands alone – a standout performance in a film series full of standout performances.
May his family be comforted during this difficult time. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/oMQSmAA9bP
— The Nerd of the Rings (@nerdoftherings1) May 5, 2024
If there was ever a performance that could be called iconic, it was Bernard Hill as Yosser Hughes.
The downward spiral of a man who had lost everything was emblematic of Thatcher's Britain of the 80's.#RIPBernardHill pic.twitter.com/bzBhllLyBZ— Nye Bevan was right 🇺🇦🏴 (@GarethRavenhill) May 5, 2024
Hill was married to actress Marianna Hill, with whom he had one son. The actor was a big-time supporter of Manchester United FC, and he also received an honorary degree from the prestigious University of East Anglia.
Titanic and Lord of the Rings are available to watch on Netflix.
