Bernard Hill, ‘Lord of the Rings’ and ‘Titanic’ Actor, Dead at 79

British actor was only person in movie history to appear in two films that won 11 Oscars

Bernard Hill, the British actor who starred as a king in Lord of the Rings and the captain in Titanic, has died at the age of 79.

Hill’s family confirmed the actor’s death Sunday in a statement, “It is with the greatest sadness that we must announce that Bernard Hill, renowned actor known for his roles in ‘Titanic’ and ‘Lord of the Rings,’ passed away in the early hours of this morning at the age of 79. He was with his fiancée Alison and his son Gabriel.” No cause of death was provided.

Over a career that spanned seven decades — much of it in his native England — Hill was best known to American audiences thanks to roles in two of the biggest films of all time: In 1997, Hill portrayed Edward Smith, captain of the ill-fated Titanic, in James Cameron’s epic about the disaster.

Soon after, Hill played the role of King Theoden — the king of Rohan who is corrupted by Wormtongue — in both 2002’s Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and 2003’s The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. 

Hill also has the distinction of being the only actor to appear in two films that won 11 Oscars, which both Titanic and Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King accomplished; 1959’s Ben Hur is the only other film to win 11 Academy Awards.

In England, Hill’s breakthrough came in 1982’s Boys From the Blackstuff, a miniseries about unemployed men in Liverpool. Hill portrayed the character of Yosser Hughes, for which he earned a nomination for Best Actor at the BAFTA TV Awards.

“We’re saddened to hear of the passing of Bernard Hill,” the BAFTAs tweeted Sunday. “Known for his work in TV and film, Bernard starred in Titanic and The Lord of the Rings. He was nominated for two BAFTAs for A Very Social Secretary and his breakout performance in Boys From The Blackstuff, which won the Drama Series BAFTA in 1983.”

Hill’s other credits include Gandhi, The Ghost and the Darkness, Valkyrie, The Scorpion King, and Gothika.

Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, added in a statement to the BBC, “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.”