British Veteran Actor Bernard Hill Passes Away

Goodbye To A Huge Acting Talent

The very sad news reached us over the weekend that veteran British actor Bernard Hill has just passed away at the age of 79…

Here’s a tribute to him from Peter Jackson, who directed him in Lord of The Rings just over twenty years ago:

It is hard to imagine a world without Bernard Hill in it – to say he was full of life is an understatement. He was a one of the funniest and quickest witted people we ever had the good fortune to work with. His performance as Theoden, King of Rohan, is beloved by millions and stands testament to his brilliance as an actor. But we will remember him as a deeply loyal and loving friend. Our hearts go out to his partner Alison, and son Gabriel during this time… Farewell mighty warrior. On behalf of the entire cast and crew of The Lord of the Rings trilogy – we will miss you so very much. Peter, Fran and Philippa

Alan Bleasdale, the writer of Boys from the Blackstuff, where Hill made his name, described Hill’s passing as a “great loss and also a great surprise.” He praised Hill’s performance in the show, saying, “It was an astonishing, mesmeric performance – Bernard gave everything to that and you can see it in all the scenes. He became Yosser Hughes.”

Lindsay Salt, the director of BBC Drama, had this to say about his loss, saying, “Bernard Hill blazed a trail across the screen, and his long-lasting career filled with iconic and remarkable roles is a testament to his incredible talent.”

Bernard Hill was an actor who first came to people’s attention in Alan Bleasdale’s Boys From The Black Stuff back in 1982 but he went on to have a very long career in TV in shows like Wolf Hall and the BBC’s Responder, on now, and on the big screen as King Theoden in Peter Jackson’s Lord Of The Rings, True Crime, Willie Russell’s Shirley Valentine and James Cameron’s Titanic.

Everyone here at Tripwire offer our condolences to his family and friends.