Acclaimed character actor Bernard Hill, born on December 17, 1944 and known for his roles in notable late-1990s and early-2000s films, has passed away at the age of 79, according to multiple reports. Hill’s agent, Lou Coulson, confirmed his death, which occurred early Sunday morning, May 5. Friends and former co-stars, including actress Barbara Dickson, shared the news on social media.
Hill started his career in the film and TV industry in the early 1970s with roles on well-known British shows such as “Rooms,” “Village Hall,” and “Crown Court.” He gained prominence in the 1980s with his portrayal of Yosser Hughes, a troubled father in the TV miniseries “Boys From The Blackstuff,” which earned him one of his two BAFTA nominations.
American audiences might best remember Hill for his later roles, including as Edward Smith, the captain of the Titanic in the 1997 film directed by James Cameron, and as King Theoden in the second and third “Lord of the Rings” films. His extensive filmography also includes works like Clint Eastwood’s “True Crime,” “Wimbledon,” “Paranorman,” and many more.
Hill’s final work will be featured in the upcoming season of “The Responder,” starring Martin Freeman, set to premiere Sunday.
Alan Bleasdale, the writer of “Boys From The Blackstuff,” expressed his sadness at Hill’s passing, praising his captivating performance as Yosser Hughes. Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, also paid tribute to Hill, recognizing his iconic roles and his impact on the industry.
Hill’s memorable performance in “Boys from the Blackstuff” earned him a BAFTA in 1983, and the show was ranked seventh on the British Film Institute’s list of the best TV shows ever made. He was also praised for his role in the 2015 drama series “Wolf Hall,” where he played the Duke of Norfolk.
Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan, and Billy Boyd, known for their roles as the hobbits Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin in the Lord of the Rings series, honored their fellow actor at Comic Con in Liverpool.
Astin opened with heartfelt words, stating, “He held a special place in our hearts. He was fearless, humorous, tough, and wonderfully complex. His spirit was a beacon.”
Boyd shared his memories of viewing the trilogy alongside Monaghan, expressing, “No one else could breathe life into Tolkien’s words quite like Bernard. He touched my soul deeply. His absence will be profoundly felt.”
Alan Bleasdale, the mind behind Boys from the Blackstuff, remarked on Hill’s passing as not only “a profound loss but also an unexpected one”.
“The role was a compelling and hypnotic one, with Bernard pouring his soul into it. His portrayal of Yosser Hughes was magnetic.”
Scheduled to appear at Comic Con Liverpool on Saturday, he was unfortunately forced to withdraw unexpectedly, as announced by the event organizers on X. Following the announcement of his passing, the event planners expressed their profound sorrow over Hill’s demise on the same platform, extending their deepest condolences and wishing his family immense strength during this difficult time.
With him at his bedside were his fiancee Alison and a son, Gabriel.