Legendary actor Bernard Hill dies aged 79 hours before launch of new TV show

Devastated fans have paid tribute to the talented late actor (Picture: Rex)

Bernard Hill, a legendary actor whose best-known performances included roles in Titanic, Lord of the Rings and Boys from the Blackstuff, has died aged 79.

The news of the late actor’s death was reported by the BBC, hours before the release of his latest project, season 2 of BBC drama The Responder with Martin Freeman.

Singer and actress Barbara Dickson was one of the first to pay tribute to Hill on X, writing in a statement: ‘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.’

Broadcaster BBC also hailed Hill as an ‘incredible talent.’

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, said: ‘Bernard Hill blazed a trail across the screen, and his long-lasting career filled with iconic and remarkable roles is a testament to his incredible talent.

Hill played the formidable Théoden, King of Rohan in the Lord of the Rings film franchise (Picture: Pierre Vinet/New Line/Saul Zaentz/Wing Nut/Kobal/Rex/Shutterstock)

‘From Boys from the Blackstuff, to Wolf Hall, The Responder, and many more, we feel truly honoured to have worked with Bernard at the BBC. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this sad time.’

Hill’s agent, Lou Coulson, confirmed to BBC News that the actor died in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The publication added that a statement from his family is expected to be released soon.

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 Barbara Dickson (@BarbaraDickson) May 5, 2024

Devastated fans of the late cinema icon have been sharing tributes to him on social media, while also honouring their favourite performances of his career.

‘RIP Bernard Hill. His performance as Yosser Hughes on Boys from the Blackstuff was perfection and British television at it’s best,’ wrote @alelliott88 on X.

David shared: ‘I don’t say this lightly: Bernard Hill as King Theoden in the Lord of the Rings trilogy is one of my all-time favourite performances, a fascinatingly complex turn which brings to life a fascinatingly complex character.

‘RIP to the great Bernard Hill.’

Hill is set to appear in the second season of The Responder with Martin Freeman (Picture: BBC/Dancing Ledge)

RIP Bernard Hill aka Yosser Hughes.
Iconic clip and iconic series.#RIPYosser TV Football 1968-92 (@1968Tv) May 5, 2024

Hill’s The Lord of the Rings co-star Dominic Monaghan also paid tribute, writing on social media: ‘The Broken king has passed to the grey havens but he will always be remembered. #ripbernard photo by Viggo.’

One person on X, Dr OE Murlor, brought up the fact that Hill was the only actor to appear in two films that one 11 Oscars each – The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and Titanic.

Numerous people paid homage to Hill’s incredible breakout role as Yosser Hughes in the 1982 BBC drama Boys from the Blackstuff.

‘There were few more resonant and heartbreaking TV characters in the 80s than Yosser Hughes. Bernard Hill was brilliant. RIP,’ Phil wrote on X.

‘RIP Bernard Hill. Yosser Hughes up there with the very greatest performances in TV history,’ Jamie stated.

Born in Manchester in 1944, Hill graduated with a diploma in theatre in 1970 after attending the Manchester Polytechnic School of Drama.

Following his star-making role as Yosser, he went on to appear in productions including Gandhi, The Bounty, A Journey in the Life about John Lennon and The Ghost and the Darkness.

Hill starring as William Cole in the 1984 film The Bounty (Picture: Murray Close/Getty Images)

In 1997, he starred as Captain Edward John Smith in the Academy Award-winning Titanic, the captain who helmed the voyage before his planned retirement.

Then in 2002 and 2003, he played King Théoden of Rohan in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Hill was married to the actor Marianna Hill, with whom he shared a son.

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