Actor Bernard Hill, best known for playing Captain Edward Smith Titanic and King Théoden in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy, he has died at the age of 79.
Every actor dreams of just appearing in a movie that wins Best Picture, let alone playing a major role in one of the most beloved and popular movies of all time. But Bernard Hill didn't do it just once. He was a big part of two such films in his 50-year screen career. In 1997, he played as captain of the ill-fated liner in James Cameron's historic blockbuster Titanic. Hill followed this feat by playing Théoden in 2002 The Two Towers. The following year he reprized his role as King of Rohan The return of the king. I like Titanic before that, the final film in Jackson's series took home 11 Oscars, including winning Best Picture.
Born on December 17, 1944 in Blackley, Lancashire, England, Hill's career was much more than those blockbusters. His first credit was in 1974 for an episode of childhood. Other notable roles in his long career include playing Yosser Hughes in the 1982 miniseries Britich. Blackstuff Boys, Director Luther Plunkitt in the 1999 Clint Eastwood film real crimeand Philos a The Scorpion King. His most recent work came in the second season of The Answerercurrently on air.
Hill's family did not release the cause of his death. He was due to appear at an event in Liverpool on Saturday before it was cancelled. Bernard Hill's family did say so his fiancee Alison and son Gabriel were with him when he died on Sunday 5 May.
Generations of fans who will remember Hill for his place in film history join him in mourning. They are also joined by their many cast mates. We give one of them the last word. Elijah Wood shared his farewell to the King of Rohan on social media.
“Long live our friend, our king, Bernard Hill. We'll never forget you. 'Cause he was a kind heart and a great king And he kept his oaths; And he rose from the shadows till a last morning of fair'”.
