“To say he was full of life is an understatement”: Peter Jackson Sends a Heartfelt Tribute to Late Bernard Hill Who Passed Away at 79
The loss of an iconic actor is too hard to bear for the industry. We are not even halfway through the year, and Hollywood has seen the deaths of multiple actors who left an indelible mark on the industry. The industry was most recently shaken by the death of legendary actor Bernard Hill.
Known for his work in The Lord of the Rings, Titanic, and True Crime, the 79-year-old actor passed away on May 5, 2024. Hill was one of the most talented and versatile actors in Hollywood, having worked in countless movies and shows throughout his career.
Filmmaker Peter Jackson Pays Tribute to Bernard Hill
The visionary director behind The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Peter Jackson, was one of the mourners who paid tribute to the life and work of actor Bernard Hill. The two worked closely together on the fantastical movies based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s books. Jackson, along with Fran Walsh and screenwriter Philippa Boyens, sent out an email detailing their grief and sadness over Hill’s passing. The email read,
“It is hard to imagine a world without Bernard Hill in it ‒ to say he was full of life is an understatement. He was one of the funniest and quickest-witted people we ever had the good fortune to work with. His performance as Théoden, 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.”
More actors from the brilliant trilogy posted tributes and heartfelt messages on social media. Nobody was prepared for this great tragic loss as the news took everyone by surprise. While some appreciated his disciplined work ethic, others lauded him for his humble and kind demeanor. The Manchester-based actor was going to be featured in an upcoming show along with Martin Freeman.
How Did Bernard Hill Die?
The Titanic actor was known for portraying stoic characters like the captain of the ship in the movie, who chose to go down with the Titanic rather than abandon the ship. Even in the LOTR trilogy, he portrayed King Theoden, a strong and authoritative figure who knows no weakness. The news of his death was sent via email by his talent agency.
However, the news did not mention the place of his death or the reason. Fans are wondering what caused Hill’s death as he was still working as an actor. Considering his age, he might have passed away due to natural causes. No news of any illness or diagnosis is known. The industry will greatly suffer this loss.
