LONDON: Veteran English actor Bernard Hill, best known for his roles in Titanic and the Lord of the Rings, has passed away aged 79.
He played the role of Captain Edward Smith in the 1997 Oscar-winning epic “Titanic”, and earned worldwide acclaim by playing Theoden, King of Rohan, in two of the three films of “The Lord of The Rings” directed by renowned director Peter Jackson.
His breakout role was in the 1982 BBC TV drama Boys from the Blackstuff, where he played Yosser Hughes, a character who struggled and frequently failed to handle unemployment in Liverpool.
The actor’s agent Lou Coulson confirmed his death.
Alan Bleasdale, who wrote Boys from the Blackstuff, termed the Hill’s passing away a great loss and also a great surprise.
In a statement, he said Bernard gave everything to portray the character of Yosser Hughes.
Bleasdale added he was desperate to work with Hill. Praising the deceased actor, he said the whole procedure of working of Hill and his performance was everything that anyone could ever wish for.
He noted that Bernard would live forever.
