In Memoriam: Bernard Hill (1944-2024)

Bernard Hill, best known for his roles in Titanic and Lord of the Rings, passed away on Sunday, May 5th, at the age of 79. He was in the presence of his fiancée and son that morning, but no cause of death was given. Born on December 17th, 1994, in Blackley, Manchester, England, to a Catholic family of miners, Hill attended Xaverian College, then Manchester Polytechnic School of Drama while fellow actor Richard Griffiths, known for his role as Vernon Dursley in the Harry Potter films, was also in attendance.

Hill began his illustrious career in the BBC miniseries Boys from the Blackstuff (1982) and, the same year, portrayed Sergeant Putnam in Gandhi. Then, in 1997, he played the role of Captain Edward Smith in James Cameron’s Titanic, which won 11 Oscars. Speaking personally for a moment, I vividly recall seeing his character as the captain of the infamous, doomed ocean liner even at the tender age of 5. However, the one that he is most beloved for, and many of us know him for, is his portrayal in 2002-03 as Théoden King in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy.

This role will continue to be his most iconic one to date, with the epic battle of Helm’s Deep, the speech before the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, and, for me, Théoden’s relationship with his niece, Éowyn. With her and her brother’s parents deceased, the king took over their guardianship, thus becoming a strong father figure for the siblings. There’s a touching, poignant scene between niece and uncle in which, if the battle was to go ill, he told her to rule in his stead:

“I would have you smile again, not grieve for those whose time has come. You shall live to see these days renewed and no more despair.”

So, though Bernard Hill may be gone from this Earth, his legacy lives on through his outstanding performances. He will be sorely missed by all who love him. In his final performance, Hill will appear alongside Martin Freeman in the police drama The Responder, which will air its second season on BBC One this weekend.

“Arise, arise, Riders of Théoden! Fell deeds awake: fire and slaughter! Spears shall be shaken, Shields shall be splintered, a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises! Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor! Death! Death! Death! Forth Eorlingas!”