Bernard Hill, King Théoden in ‘The Lord of the Rings’, dies at the age of 79

English actor Bernard Hill passed away early this morning at the age of 79, according to his agent Lou Coulson.

Bernard Hill has 130 film and television credits, and even appeared in a video game, voicing Sir Walter Beck in Lionhead Studios’ ‘Fable III’. His breakthrough role was in the 1982 BBC television series ‘Boys of the Blackstuff’ as Yosser Hughes. Among the credits for which he is remembered and which brought him international fame are his roles as Captain Edward Smith in ‘Titanic’ and as Philos in ‘The Scorpion King’. However, one of the roles that a generation will always remember him for is his role as King Théoden in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’, where he delivers one of the best scenes - and speeches - in the trilogy:

“Arise, arise, riders of Rohan! Spears shall be shaken! Shields shall be splintered! A sword-day…a red day…ere the sun rises!”

What happened to Bernard Hill?

So far there is no reason for the death of the actor. Hill never retired from the screen and his death comes a few hours before the premiere of ‘The Responder’, a new TV series that premieres tonight on the BBC. In addition, the actor had to cancel at the last minute his participation this Saturday in the Comic Con Liverpool, which was scheduled to participate in the event since November last year.

May he rest in peace.