British actor Bernard Hill, who starred in some of the most iconic films of recent decades, including ‘Titanic’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, has died at the age of 79.
Actress and singer Barbara Dickson confirmed the news on X by sharing a black and white photo of herself with the late actor and wrote, “I am so sad to hear of the passing of Bernard Hill.
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#bernardhill pic.twitter.com/UPVDCo3ut8
— Barbara Dickson (@BarbaraDickson) May 5, 2024
We worked together on John Paul George Ringo and Bert, Willy Russell’s great show 1974-1975. He was a truly brilliant actor. It was a privilege to work with him. RIP Benny x #bernardhill”.
Born in Manchester, England, Hill rose to fame playing Yosser Hughes in the acclaimed BBC TV drama ‘Boys from the Blackstuff’.
His portrayal of Hughes, a proud but desperate man battling unemployment in early 1980s ‘Liverpool’, earned him widespread recognition for his exceptional acting skills.
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However, Hill’s roles in two monumental blockbusters established him as a household name.
In James Cameron’s ‘Titanic’ (1997), he played Captain Edward Smith, the resolute but tragic commander of the ill-fated RMS Titanic. His performance brought depth to the historical character, portraying both the captain’s nobility and tragic ignorance.
Similarly, in Peter Jackson’s ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, Hill played King Theoden of Rohan. His portrayal of the manipulated monarch’s transformation into a courageous leader appealed to audiences, especially in memorable battle scenes such as the Battle of Helm’s Deep.
Throughout his career, Hill has demonstrated versatility across a variety of genres and platforms, showcasing his dedication to the craft of acting.
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Bernard Hill Biography
Bernard Hill (17 December 1944 – 5 May 2024) was an English actor. He is best known for playing King Théoden of Rohan in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, Captain Edward Smith in Titanic, and Luther Plunkitt, warden of San Quentin Prison in Clint Eastwood’s film True Crime. Hill is also known for playing roles in television dramas, including Yosser Hughes, the troubled “hard man” whose life is falling apart in the 1980s in Alan Bleasdale’s Boys from the Blackstuff, and more recently, the Duke of Norfolk in the BBC adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall. He died on 5 May 2024.
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Bernard Hill Marriage
Hill was married to actress Marianna Hill, with whom he had a son, Gabriel. He lived in Suffolk. Hill was a longtime Manchester United supporter. In 2019, Hill received an honorary degree from the University of East Anglia.
