Bernard Hill’s agent, Lou Coulson, confirmed his passing to the BBC on Sunday, May 5th.

Hill is perhaps most recognized for his portrayal of King Théoden of Rohan in the latter two installments of the Lord of the Rings trilogy: The Two Towers and The Return of the King.

The films garnered global acclaim, with Hill’s performance frequently lauded.

Alongside fellow Lord of the Rings actor Viggo Mortensen, Hill was honored by the film’s stunt team with a haka, recognizing their portrayals of Middle Earth’s kings.

Prior to his role in the fantasy epic, Hill portrayed Captain Smith in Titanic, famously depicted in the pivotal scene where the captain chooses to remain on his sinking ship.

This scene is widely regarded as one of Hill’s most iconic moments.

Those familiar with older works may recall Hill from his role in Boys from the Blackstuff, where he played Jimmy ‘Yosser’ Hughes, symbolizing the struggles of many Britons during the 1980s.

In more recent years, Hill remained active in television, appearing in the second season of the Martin Freeman-led drama, The Responder.

Social media has been inundated with tributes to the actor, with fans praising him as “an incredible, raw actor” and “one of the greats.”

Barbara Dickson, a former colleague of Hill’s, expressed her sadness, remembering their collaboration in John Paul George Ringo and Bert, a production by Willy Russell. She described Hill as a “marvelous actor” and expressed gratitude for having worked with him.

Another fan paid homage to Hill’s iconic portrayal of King Théoden with a quote from the film, while others expressed sadness at his passing and admiration for his legacy.

Bernard Hill will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the greats in the world of cinema, leaving behind a lasting legacy.