Renowned actor Bernard Hill, celebrated for his iconic roles in "Titanic" and "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, has passed away

 

Bernard Hill, the esteemed actor renowned for his memorable performances in "Titanic" and "The Lord of the Rings" series, has passed away at the age of 79.

Renowned for his portrayal of Captain Edward Smith in the Oscar-winning film "Titanic" and King Théoden in "The Lord of the Rings" series, Bernard Hill's acting legacy was marked by remarkable versatility. His career took flight with his poignant portrayal of Yosser Hughes in the 1982 BBC TV drama "Boys from the Blackstuff," a portrayal that resonated deeply with audiences as he depicted the struggles of unemployment in Liverpool.

Tragically, Bernard Hill passed away early on Sunday morning, as confirmed by his agent Lou Coulson. He was accompanied by his fiancée Alison and his son Gabriel during his final moments.

Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan, and Billy Boyd, known for their roles as Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, gathered to honor their fellow actor at Comic Con in Liverpool.

Astin opened the tribute, expressing, "We love him. He was fearless, he was witty, he was gruff, he was cantankerous, he was magnificent."

Reflecting on their shared experiences, Boyd shared a poignant moment he had while watching the trilogy with Monaghan, remarking, "I don't believe anyone embodied Tolkien's words as profoundly as Bernard did. He would move me to tears. He will be deeply missed."

Alan Bleasdale, the writer of Boys from the Blackstuff, echoed the sentiment, describing Hill's passing as both a significant loss and a profound shock. "His portrayal was spellbinding—Bernard poured his heart into that role, and it shines through in every scene. He truly became Yosser Hughes."

• Alan Bleasdale: 'I was desperate to work with him'

He continued, "I was eager for the chance to collaborate with him. His approach to his craft, his method of working, and his performances were everything one could aspire to witness.

"Bernard always seemed timeless. He possessed a remarkable resilience, both in body and spirit."

As Captain Edward James Smith in Titanic

Hill, hailing from Manchester and residing in Suffolk, was poised to grace television screens once again in the upcoming second series of "The Responder," a BBC drama featuring Martin Freeman, scheduled to premiere on Sunday.

Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, paid homage to his legacy, stating, "Bernard Hill illuminated the screen, and his enduring career filled with iconic and extraordinary roles is a testament to his immense talent."

"From his unforgettable performance in 'Boys from the Blackstuff' to his roles in 'Wolf Hall,' 'The Responder,' and beyond, we consider it a true privilege to have collaborated with Bernard at the BBC. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends during this difficult time."

In "Boys from the Blackstuff," Hill garnered acclaim for his gritty portrayal of Yosser Hughes, a compelling character who passionately pleaded for employment with the iconic line, "Gizza job."

The series garnered a Bafta for Best Drama Series in 1983 and secured the seventh spot on the British Film Institute's list of the greatest TV shows ever made in 2000.

Yosser Hughes, played by Bernard Hill, was one of the most memorable characters in 1982's Boys From The Blackstuff

Another notable performance by Hill on BBC television was in the 2015 drama series "Wolf Hall," based on Hilary Mantel's novel depicting the intrigues of Henry VIII's court. In this production, Hill took on the role of the Duke of Norfolk, uncle to Anne Boleyn and a formidable adversary of Cardinal Wolsey.

Joining Peter Jackson's monumental "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, Hill entered the ensemble cast in the second installment, "The Two Towers" (2002), and reprised his role for the triumphant conclusion, "The Return Of The King" (2003), which garnered 11 Oscars.

Throughout his illustrious career spanning decades, Hill portrayed a diverse array of characters. These included roles in the 1976 BBC TV series "I, Claudius," a part in the acclaimed 1982 film "Gandhi," "Shirley Valentine" (1989), "The Scorpion King" (2002), and the 2008 Tom Cruise vehicle "Valkyrie."

Scheduled to appear at Comic Con Liverpool on Saturday, Hill regrettably had to cancel last minute, as stated by the convention in a post on X. Following the news of his passing, organizers expressed their sorrow on the platform, offering condolences to Hill's family and wishing them strength during this challenging time.

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