The entertainment industry and fans around the world are in a state of shock and sorrow as news broke about the passing of British actor Bernard Hill. Hill was known for his supporting roles in Titanic and The Lord Of the Rings. At the age of 79, the actor’s promising life was cut short, leaving a void in the hearts of people who loved him deeply.
The Titanic Actor Bernard Hill Dies At 79, Cause of Death Unknown
Bernard Hill, a star of Titanic and other films, died at the age of 79 in the early hours of Sunday morning, as confirmed by his agent. Alison, his partner, and Gabriel, his son, were with him when he died from an unknown cause. In addition to working on stage and screen — he played Yosser Hughes in Alan Bleasdale’s Boys from the Blackstuff as well as Captain Edward Smith in James Cameron’s Titanic — Hill had an extensive career that spanned decades.
One colleague who appeared alongside him during this time was Barbara Dickson, who paid tribute to him on Twitter:
“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’s marvellous show 1974-1975. He was a really marvellous actor. It was a privilege to have crossed paths with him. RIP, Benny x.”
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 pic.twitter.com/UPVDCo3ut8
— Barbara Dickson (@BarbaraDickson) May 5, 2024
Untimely End To Hill’s long and set career
Hill’s big break came on the BBC miniseries Boys From the Blackstuff, in which he played Yosser Hughes, a man struggling with unemployment in Liverpool. The show aired in 1983 and won the BAFTA for Best Drama Series that year.
In 1997, Hill portrayed Captain Smith in Titanic, which won 11 Oscars. In 2002, he joined Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings franchise as King Théoden for the second film, “The Two Towers,” later returning for “The Return of the King,” which also collected 11 Oscars. So, Hill was part of two out of three movies with the most Academy Awards ever alongside “Ben-Hur.”
In the year 2015, he played Duke of Norfolk on the BBC drama series “Wolf Hall,” which earned several BAFTAs and a Golden Globe. Other roles that showed Hill’s versatility include the 1976 BBC TV series I, Claudius, Shirley Valentine in 1989, Tom Cruise’s 2008 film film Valkyrie, and much more.
Most recently, Hill starred opposite Martin Freeman on the police drama “The Responder,” whose second season premieres this weekend on BBC One.
Netizens Express Grief Over Bernard Hill’s Death
The passing of Bernard Hill has shaken the online community. In a tweet, one fan said, “RIP #BernardHill everybody is referring to his brilliant role in Boys from the black stuff but I thought he was sublime in Wolf Hall as the Duke of Norfolk. Such a great actor.”
RIP #BernardHill everybody is referring to his brilliant role in boys from the black stuff but I thought he was sublime in Wolf Hall as the Duke of Norfolk. Such a great actor pic.twitter.com/icUyORc6ou
— DrA 🟢⚪️🟣 (@WorkPsychol) May 5, 2024
Another fan also attributed his thoughts in a tweet and wrote, “Rest in peace Bernard Hill. Many were your wonderful performances, and the inspiration you brought to the world cannot be understated. Rest in the halls of your fathers, in whose mighty company you shall not know shame.”
Rest in peace Bernard Hill. Many were your wonderful performances, and the inspiration you brought to the world cannot be understated. Rest in the halls of your fathers, in whose mighty company you shall not know shame. #bernardhill pic.twitter.com/fvC6VTYwGx
— Men of the West (@Yoystan) May 5, 2024
Comic Con Liverpool also wrote, “We’re heartbroken to hear the news of Bernard Hill’s passing. A great loss. Thinking of his family at this very sad time, and wishing them a lot of strength.”
We’re heartbroken to hear the news of Bernard Hill’s passing. A great loss. Thinking of his family at this very sad time, and wishing them a lot of strength. pic.twitter.com/5kdMqz7pS5
— Comic Con Liverpool (@comconliverpool) May 5, 2024
