Bernard Hill, the British actor known for his iconic roles in “Titanic” and “The Lord of the Rings” series, has passed away at the age of 79.
Hill, born in Manchester, began his career in the late 1970s with television series. His portrayal of Yosser Hughes in BBC’s cult series “The Black Stuff” first brought him into the limelight. The series, reflecting the daily life of the working class and England during the Margaret Thatcher era, garnered significant attention.
In the 1980s, Hill also ventured onto the theater stage, taking on leading roles in important plays such as “Macbeth,” “A View from the Bridge,” and “Cherry Orchard.” However, his breakthrough came in the 1990s with his transition to Hollywood.
Hill proved himself with the 1996 film “The Ghost and The Darkness,” starring alongside Michael Douglas and Val Kilmer, which paved the way for his role as the captain in James Cameron‘s “Titanic” after the monumental success of the film, which won 11 Oscars.
Following the Titanic experience, Hill portrayed King Théoden in “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” and “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,” which together won a total of 13 Oscars.
In recent years, Hill had appeared in ITV’s “Unforgotten” in 2015 and BBC productions such as “From There to Here” and “Wolf Hall,” building a career filled with accolades.
Hill’s death, the cause of which has not yet been disclosed, was announced by his management company. The statement expressed condolences to the actor’s wife Marianna and son Gabriel.
The actor had recently criticized Amazon’s “The Lord of the Rings” series, referring to it as a “money-making venture.” He also commented on Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit” trilogy, stating,
“I think they pushed ‘The Hobbit’ too much. They did too much for such a small book.”
Hill’s last role in BBC’s new series “The Responder” had yet to be released when the sad news deeply affected many of his fans on social media. Alongside “Titanic,” renowned for its long-standing box office success, the LotR series continues to maintain its relevance today, earning Bernard Hill a place among cinema’s unforgettable figures.
Feel free to share your thoughts on Bernard Hill’s passing and his performances in the aforementioned productions.
bernard hill The Lord of the Rings
Last modified: May 6, 2024
