Bernard Hill, who starred in The Lord of the Rings movies and Titanic among others in a glittering career, has died aged 79.

His agent Lou Coulson confirmed the news of his death to the BBC today.

Many will know him best for his role as King Théoden of Rohan in the latter two Lord of the Rings movies, The Two Towers and The Return of the King.

The films gained worldwide fame and Hill brought a great presence to the role, and he and fellow Lord of the Rings star Viggo Mortensen received a tribute from the movie’s stunt team in the form of a haka as they were the actors who had portrayed Middle Earth’s kings.

Several years previously Hill had also portrayed Captain Smith in Titanic, with the film depicting the iconic moment when the captain decides to go down with his ship.

Older readers, and indeed many of those already sharing tributes to Hill’s memory and talent on social media, are remembering his work in Boys from the Blackstuff.

Bernard Hill at Manchester Comic Con in 2022. (Shirlaine Forrest/Getty Images)

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