Bernard Hill, actor of Titanic and The Lord of the Rings, dies

Bernard Hill, the actor who harangued his troops for the battle in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and played the captain of the ship in Titanic, passed away. He was 79 years old.

Hill died Sunday morning, his agent said. Lou Coulson.

Hill joined the series “The Lord Of The Rings” in the second chapter, The Two Towers (2002), playing the role of Théoden, king of Rohan. The following year he played the same role in Return of the Kinga film that won 11 Oscars.

In one of the film’s most memorable scenes, Hill’s character encourages his beleaguered forces by issuing a horseback war cry that prompts his followers down the mountain toward the enemy.

In Titanic (1997), Hill played the role of the captain Edward Smith, one of the few characters in the film based on a real person. The film is about a romance between the characters they play Leonardo DiCaprio y Kate Winslet on the famous ship. That film also won 11 Oscars.

Hill first came to prominence as Yosser Hughes in Boys From the Blackstuffa 1982 British television miniseries about five unemployed men.

He was nominated for an award in 1983 from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA)and the show won the BAFTA for best drama series.

His death occurred on the same day that the second series of the BBC drama was to be broadcast. The Responderin which he plays the father of the star of the show, Martin Freeman.

“Bernard Hill left a great career on the screen, and his long career full of iconic and notable characters is a testament to his incredible talent”said Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama. “Our thoughts go to his loved ones at this very difficult time.”