Bernard Hill, 79, was an actor from the films The Titanic and The Lord of the Rings

Bernard Hill, 79, was an actor from the films The Titanic and The Lord of the Rings

Agent Lou Coulson reported that Bernard Hill, 79, had died early on Sunday.

The actor Bernard Hill, who in "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" gave a stirring speech before leading his troops into combat and who perished in "Titanic" as the captain of the ship, has passed away.

Agent Lou Coulson said that Hill, 79, had died early on Sunday.

In the second installment of the trilogy, "The Two Towers," released in 2002, Hill made his cinematic debut as Théoden, King of Rohan, in "The Lord of the Rings." He played the same part in the eleventh Academy Award–winning film "Return of the King" the following year.

One of the most iconic images in the movie has Hill's character rallying his outmatched soldiers with a battle cry while mounted, sending them hurtling into the enemy and his own impending demise.

"Arise, arise, riders of Théoden!" Hill yells. "Shields will shatter and spears will quake! A day of swords, a day of crimson, before the sun rises! Get on the ride today! Get on the ride today! Go! Ride for destruction and the end of the planet! "Death! Death! Death!" "Titanic" starred Hill as Captain Edward Smith, one of the few real-life characters in the tragic romance film from 1997 starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. 11 Academy Awards were also won by the movie.

With a somber retreat to the wheelhouse, Hill's character watches the doomed ship take on water. He draws in a last breath and grips the wheel as water splatters through the glass and the cabin creaks under the weight of the waves.

A 1982 British TV miniseries about five jobless men called "Boys From the Blackstuff" introduced Hill to the public as Yosser Hughes.

For the part, he received a 1983 British Academy of Film and Television Arts nomination for an award, and the program took home the BAFTA for best drama series.

His passing occurred on the same day that the second season of the BBC drama "The Responder," in which he portrayed Martin Freeman's father, was scheduled to premiere.

According to Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, "Bernard Hill blazed a trail across the screen, as well as his long career filled with iconic and outstanding roles is a testament to his incredible talent." "During this difficult moment, our thoughts are with his loved ones.