Actor Bernard Hill Dead at 79

If you do not recognize the name of Bernard Hill, I guarantee you that you have seen him in movies.

The man has played key roles in a few of the greatest blockbusters of our time.

Sadly, he passed away on Sunday at the age of 79. No cause of death has been reported thus far.

Big Movies

Hill got his start in the 1970s doing bit parts in TV shows, just as we have seen many actors start.

One of his biggest early breaks happened in the first decade of his career, landing the role of Sergeant Putnam in “Ghandi.”

Hill then played in a variety of roles that tested his range, including portraying John Lennon in a TV movie about his life.

While his career slowed down a bit in the late 1980s, he would hit it big in the 1990s, tapped to play Captain Smith in “Titanic.”

This was the real-life captain of the Titanic who went down with the ship rather than heading to the rescue boats when it was clear the Titanic was going to sink.

For me, it was one of my favorite roles played by Hill in his entire career.

That, however, was far from his biggest role or the role for which he is most remembered.

For most of his fans, playing Theoden in “The Lord of the Rings” franchise is what he will be remembered for, even more so after he told Amazon to go pound sand when it started “The Rings of Power” series.

On that, Hill had stated, “No, not interested.

“It’s a money-making venture and I’m not interested in watching that or being in it.”

This was a truly talented man who brought us all joy over the years with his performances.

Rest in peace, Mr. Hill, and thank you for the memories.