Summary:
- Bernard Hill, known for his roles in “Titanic” and “The Lord of the Rings,” has passed away at 79.
- He was famous for his moving performance in the BBC drama “Boys from the Blackstuff,” and many people are remembering him fondly.
Bernard Hill, an actor in the most famous movies “Titanic” and “The Lord of the Rings,” has passed away at the age of 79. The most famous role he played was Captain Edward Smith in “Titanic” from 1997, for which he also got an Oscar and King Théoden in “The Lord of the Rings.
He achieved his major success in acting with his role as Yosser Hughes in the BBC drama “Boys from the Blackstuff“, a perfect example of bringing home the heartache of unemployment in Liverpool. He confirmed by his agent Lou Coulson that Hill died in the early hours of Sunday morning. He was with his fiancée Alison and their son Gabriel.
This year, at the Comic Con in Liverpool, the duo paid tribute to Hill alongside other actors who had worked with him on “Lord of the Rings.”
“We loved him. He was feisty, brilliant, cantankerous, and oh so gorgeous.” Astin wrote.
Boyd added, “No one ever voiced a Middle-earth character even close to how Bernard did. He was brilliant, heart-breaking. He was sorely missed.”
“Boys from the Blackstuff” writer Alan Bleasdale paid tribute to him, saying, “I am deeply shocked and sad,” and hailed Hill’s performance as “astonishing and mesmeric.”
He added, “Bernard gave everything to that role, and it was there for all to see in every scene. His strength and personality made you feel he would live forever.”
Hill, from Manchester, was due to appear in the forthcoming second series of ‘The Responder’ on the BBC in Suffolk, alongside Martin Freeman in the leading role. Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, added:
Bernard Hill blazed across the screen. From Yosser Hughes to King Théoden, his was a career chock-full of iconic and remarkable roles which spoke to his incredible talent.”
His role in “Boys from the Blackstuff” is particularly lauded, and the show went on to scoop a Bafta for Best Drama in 1983. The other memorable and best performances of his acting career also came through “Wolf Hall,” “I, Claudius,” “Gandhi,” “Shirley Valentine,” “The Scorpion King,” and “Valkyrie.
Hill was due to attend Comic Con Liverpool, where he was set to take part in a Q&A session, but pulled out at the last minute. Organisers said they were “heartbroken” at news of his death and expressed their “deepest sympathies to his family.”
Paying tribute to him, Scottish musician Barbara Dickson said (via X):
“He was a really marvelous actor. It was a privilege to have crossed paths with him. RIP Benny x.”
