Bernard Hill, known for his role as King Théoden in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy, has passed away at the age of 79. His co-stars from the iconic films, including Elijah Wood, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, and Sean Astin, who portrayed the four hobbits, expressed their sorrow over the loss of their “funny, gruff, beautiful” friend.
Speaking to Comic Con fans in Liverpool, the cast members described Hill’s passing as akin to losing a “family member.” Despite his absence at the Merseyside event, Hill’s legacy and impact on both his colleagues and fans were palpable throughout the gathering.
During a joint appearance on stage, Bernard Hill’s co-stars from The Lord of the Rings trilogy paid tribute to the late actor, known for his portrayal of King Théoden. Sean Astin, who portrayed Samwise Gamgee, led the heartfelt tribute, describing Hill as “intrepid, funny, gruff, irascible, and beautiful.”
Billy Boyd, who played Pippin, reminisced about watching the trilogy alongside fellow cast member Dominic Monaghan. Boyd highlighted Hill’s remarkable ability to bring JRR Tolkien’s words to life with unparalleled realism, emphasizing the profound impact of his performance.
Hill’s fiancée, Alison, and his son Gabriel were by his side at the time of his passing.
Born in Manchester, Hill became part of The Lord of the Rings cast for the second film in the trilogy, 2002’s The Two Towers. He reprised his role for the final installment, 2003’s The Return Of The King, which garnered 11 Oscars. Additionally, he gained recognition for his portrayal of Captain Edward Smith in Titanic.
