British Actor Bernard Hill Dies at 79
Subheadline: Hill was known for his roles in "Titanic" and "The Lord of the Rings"
Bernard Hill, the British actor best known for playing Captain Edward Smith in the 1997 Oscar-winning film "Titanic" and Théoden, the King of Rohan, in the "Lord of the Rings" films has died at the age of 79, according to his agent.
Hill's agent said the actor died at his home in London on Tuesday, April 11. He had been diagnosed about a year ago with terminal cancer.
Hill played Théoden in two of the "Lord of the Rings" films, having been originally cast as Théoden's advisor Wormtongue. However, Peter Jackson was so impressed with Hill's audition that he gave him the more prominent role of the king, according to the BBC.
He also had a notable role as Captain Andrew Russell in the 1981 film "The Bounty" and as Detective Superintendent Andy Dalziel in the long-running TV series "Dalziel and Pascoe.
Hill was born in Manchester, England, in 1944. He began his acting career in the early 1970s, appearing in a number of television roles before landing the role of Captain Smith in "Titanic."
He is survived by his wife, Marianne, and their two children.
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