Beloved actor passed away in the early hours of this morning.

Beloved actor Bernard Hill has passed away in the early hours of this morning. Renowned for his memorable roles in “Boys from the Black Stuff” and “Gandhi,” Hill’s death was confirmed by his agent, Lou Coulson, who reported the tragic news to the BBC. Tributes are already pouring in for the acclaimed star.

Hill is best known for his iconic portrayal of Captain Edward Smith in the 1997 Oscar-winning film “Titanic” and for his role as King Théoden in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. His performance in “Titanic” remains a significant highlight of his career, while his role as King Théoden in “The Two Towers” and “The Return of the King” showcased his versatility and talent.

Barb Dickson took to X to express her sorrow, writing, “It makes me very sad to hear about Bernard Hill’s death. We worked together on the great show ‘John Paul George Ringo and Bert Willy Russell’ from 1974 to 1975. A truly wonderful actor. It was an honor to have met him. Benny, rest in peace.”

The BBC praised Hill as an “incredible talent” who “blazed a trail across the screen” throughout his extensive career. Lindsay Salt, head of BBC Drama, remarked, “Bernard Hill blazed a trail across the screen, and his long career filled with iconic and remarkable roles is a testament to his incredible talent. We are very proud to have worked with Bernard at the BBC on shows like ‘Boys from the Black Stuff,’ ‘Wolf Hall,’ ‘The Responder,’ and many more.” She added, “At this sad time, our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

Born and raised in Manchester, Hill trained at the Manchester Polytechnic School of Drama. He first appeared on television as Police Constable Cluff in Granada TV’s “Crown Court” in 1976, gaining prominence with his role as Yosser Hughes in Alan Bleasdale’s BBC series “Boys from the Blackstuff.”

Hill also made a significant impact in theater, starring in productions such as “The Cherry Orchard” and “A View from the Bridge.” His film career took off in the mid-1990s with roles in “The Ghost and the Darkness” and “Titanic,” followed by his acclaimed performance in “The Lord of the Rings.” His portrayal of King Théoden in “The Return of the King” was part of the film’s record-breaking 11 Oscar wins, including Best Picture.

Fans of “The Lord of the Rings” have expressed their admiration for Hill online, with one fan noting his performance in an iconic battle scene as “the man responsible for the most iconic scene in cinematic history.”

Hill was scheduled to return to television next Sunday in the second season of the BBC drama “The Responder,” starring Martin Freeman. A devoted Manchester United fan, Hill was awarded an honorary degree from the University of East Anglia in 2019.

He is survived by his wife, American actress Marianna Hill, known for her roles in Westerns such as “El Condor” and “High Plains Drifter,” and their children, Gabriel and a daughter. The family resided in Suffolk, England, where Bernard Hill lived out his final years.