Renowned actor Bernard Hill, famous for his roles in “Boys from the Blackstuff” and “Gandhi,” passed away early this morning. His agent, Lou Coulson, confirmed the tragic news to the BBC, and tributes are already pouring in for the beloved star.

Hill, known for playing Captain Edward Smith in “Titanic” and King Théoden in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, made a significant impact on the film industry. Barb Dickson expressed her sorrow, saying, “It makes me very sad to hear about Bernard Hill’s death… A truly wonderful actor. It was an honor to have met him. Benny, rest in peace.”

The BBC praised Hill as an “incredible talent” who “blazed a trail across the screen.” Lindsay Salt, head of BBC Drama, added, “We are very proud to have worked with Bernard on shows like ‘Boys from the Blackstuff,’ ‘Wolf Hall,’ and ‘The Responder.’ Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

Born in Manchester, Hill began his TV career in 1976 with “Crown Court” and gained fame as Yosser Hughes in “Boys from the Blackstuff.” His film career took off in the mid-1990s with roles in “The Ghost and the Darkness” and “Titanic.” He reprised his role as King Théoden in “The Lord of the Rings” series.

Hill, a passionate Manchester United fan, was married to actress Marianna Hill, and they had two children. The couple lived in Suffolk, England, until his passing. Hill was set to return to TV in the second season of the BBC drama “The Responder.”