Bernard Hill, an actor best known for his roles in Lord of the Rings and Titanic, has died aged 79.
Hill had the unique distinction of being the only actor to have appeared in more than one film that won 11 Academy awards, for his roles in Titanic and Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
He portrayed King Theoden in the fantasy trilogy and Captain Edward Smith in James Cameron's 1997 blockbuster.
Lou Coulson, his agent, confirmed to BBC News that he died in the early hours of this morning.
He portrayed King Theoden in the fantasy trilogy
Getty
His family are expected to release a statement soon.
Hill got his breakout role in the drama Boys from the Blackstuff as Yosser Hughes, the troubled "hard-man" whose life was falling apart.
In 2000, it was ranked seventh on a British Film Institute list of the best TV shows ever made.
He also had roles in the Richard Attenborough film Gandhi and the BBC adaptation of Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall.
His family are expected to release a statement soon
Reuters
His passing comes hours before he was due to return to TV in the drama The Responder, which airs on BBC One tonight.
The actor, who is a father-of-one, lived in Suffolk with his actress wife Marianna Hill.
Away from stage and screen, Hill was a karate expert and a keen Manchester United fan.
Tributes have began to pour in on social media.
His passing comes hours before he was due to return to TV in the drama The Responder, which airs on BBC One tonight
PA
Scottish musician Barbara Dickson wrote of their time working together: "It's with great sadness that I note the death of Bernard Hill. We worked together in John Paul George Ringo and Bert, Willy Russell marvellous show 1974-1975.
"A really marvellous actor. It was a privilege to have crossed paths with him. RIP Benny x."
Comicon Liverpool said: "We’re heartbroken to hear the news of Bernard Hill’s passing. A great loss. Thinking of his family at this very sad time, and wishing them a lot of strength."
"Very sad to hear of the death of Bernard Hill, creator of the most powerful performance of the 80s," one user said online.
