Bernard Hill: A towering figure in film and TV, dies at 79

On May 5th, international media reported the sad news that Bernard Hill passed away at the age of 79. The British actor was renowned for his roles in blockbuster films such as "Titanic" and "The Lord of the Rings". His agent announced the artist's death.

Bernard Hill was born in Manchester, England on December 17, 1944. He embarked on his acting career in the 1970s, with his breakthrough coming nearly a decade following his performance in the BBC series "Boys from the Blackstuff". Hill became well-known for his iconic role as Yosser Hughes, a man grappling with unemployment in the outskirts of Liverpool, a role that earned him a BAFTA nomination. Following the series, the actor was in high demand, receiving numerous offers.

In 1997, the British star secured a role in James Cameron's successful film "Titanic". He portrayed Captain Edward James Smith of the titular ship, whose decision to surprise passengers by arriving at their destination a day early contributed to the tragic sinking of the British transatlantic vessel. A few years later, in the Oscar-winning trilogy "The Lord of the Rings", based on the novels by J.R.R. Tolkien, he assumed the role of Théoden, King of Rohan.

Another noteworthy performance by Hill came in 2015 in the BBC series "Wolf Hall", adapted from Hilary Mantel's book about the court of Henry VIII. Hill played the Duke of Norfolk, uncle to Anne Boleyn and adversary of Cardinal Wolsey.

Bernard Hill was scheduled to appear in the second season of the BBC series "The Officer", starring Martin Freeman, which was set to premiere on Sunday. Meanwhile, news of the 79-year-old actor's death had already captured media attention. The actor passed away on Sunday, May 5th. His agent, Lou Coulson, announced his demise. The actor's family has yet to release an official statement on the matter, and the cause of death remains undisclosed at this time.