Bernard Hill — a character actor recognised for his roles in some of the greatest late-‘90s and early-2000s flicks — has died … according to experiences.

Several retailers are reporting Hill passed away early Sunday morning, expressing they the facts verified with Hill’s agent Lou Coulson. Some of Hill’s close friends and former costars — like actress Barbara Dickson — also spread the news on social media.

Hill acquired his commence in the film and Television set industry back once more in the early 1970s via appearances on effectively-identified British reveals like “Rooms,” “Village Hall,” and “Crown Court docket.”

Quickly immediately after a decade, he landed his initially major function … participating in troubled father Yosser Hughes in the Television miniseries drama “Boys From The Blackstuff” for which he obtained his 1st of two BAFTA nominations.

American audiences will never neglect him for his afterwards operate … he played Edward Smith — captain of the unwell-fated Titanic in the 1997 James Cameron film and King Theoden in the second and third ‘Lord of the Rings’ movies.

Other credits include things like … Clint Eastwood’s “True Crime,” “Wimbledon,” “Paranorman,” “A Midsummer Night’s Desire,” “Unforgotten,” “Wolf Corridor,” “The Scorpion King,” “Vin,” “Jackanory,” “The Bounty,” “Runners” and a complete large amount additional.

He will appear in the most recent year of Martin Freeman‘s present “The Responder — set to premiere Sunday.

Bernard is survived by his spouse, Marianna and son Gabriel. He was 79.