Bernard Hill - Actor Profile

Bernard Hill

Acting
Updated: May 09, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Dec 17, 1944
Birth Place: Blackley, Manchester, England, UK

About Bernard Hill

Bernard Hill (17 December 1944 – 5 May 2024) was an English actor. He was known as a character actor of film, stage and television, having acted in nearly 130 projects. He is best known to British television viewers for playing Yosser Hughes in the groundbreaking 1982 TV series Boys from the Blackstuff. On film he has played Captain Edward John Smith in Titanic, King Théoden in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, and the Warden of San Quentin Prison in the Clint Eastwood film True Crime. Hill is the only actor to have appeared in more than one of the three films awarded 11 Oscars, and one of only three actors to have starred in more than one film grossing more than $1 billion USD, namely: Titanic and The Return of the King (the others being Orlando Bloom who also starred in The Return of the King, as well as Pirates of the Caribbean and Johnny Depp who also starred in Pirates of the Caribbean, as well as Alice in Wonderland). Hill has appeared in three films which have won Best Picture: Gandhi, Titanic, and The Return of the King. Hill died on 5th May 2024 at the age of 79.

Bernard Hill Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Bernard Hill reflects exceptional commercial consistency. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of Bernard Hill's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 96% of Bernard Hill's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains The Spongers, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Bernard Hill Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Bernard Hill's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie Bernard Hill has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2016 Inside CERN Narrator Super Hit Similar →
2016 Bloody Queens: Elizabeth and Mary Narrator Hit Similar →
2012 Reflections on Titanic Self Hit Similar →
2012 ParaNorman Judge Hopkins (voice) Hit Similar →
2012 Titanic: The Final Word with James Cameron Captain EJ Smith Super Hit Similar →
2008 Valkyrie General - Desert Sequence Hit Similar →
2008 Titus: The Gorilla King Narrator Super Hit Similar →
2006 JFK's Women: The Scandals Revealed Self - Narrator (voice) Hit Similar →
2006 Ocean Odyssey Narrator (voice) Hit Similar →
2005 The Last Tommy Narrator Super Hit Similar →
2004 The Making of 'The Return of the King' Self Super Hit Similar →
2003 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Théoden Super Hit Similar →
2003 The Making of 'The Two Towers' - Super Hit Similar →
2002 The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Théoden Super Hit Similar →
2000 Going Off Big Time Murray Average Similar →
2000 Scenes by the Sea: Takeshi Kitano Narrator (voice) Super Hit Similar →
2000 A Question of Faith Frederick Hit Similar →
1999 Great Expectations Abel Magwitch Average Similar →
1999 True Crime Warden Luther Plunkitt Hit Similar →
1999 The Titanic Chronicles (voice) Super Hit Similar →
1998 Titanic: Secrets Revealed Host Super Hit Similar →
1997 Titanic Captain Smith Super Hit Similar →
1996 The Ghost and the Darkness Dr. David Hawthorne Hit Similar →
1993 Olly's Prison Mike Super Hit Similar →
1993 The Art of Tripping - Super Hit Similar →
1993 Shepherd on the Rock Tam Ferrier Hit Similar →
1992 A Question of Identity Erwin van Haarlem Hit Similar →
1992 The Law Lord Martin Allport Super Hit Similar →
1990 From Moscow to Pietushki Readings (voice) Super Hit Similar →
1990 Mountains of the Moon Dr. Livingstone Hit Similar →
1988 Drowning by Numbers Henry Madgett Hit Similar →
1987 Boy Soldier Officer Super Hit Similar →
1986 Theban Plays: Antigone Messenger Super Hit Similar →
1985 No Surrender Bernard Hit Similar →
1985 Restless Natives Will's father Hit Similar →
1985 The Burston Rebellion Tom Higdon Super Hit Similar →
1984 The Chain Nick Hit Similar →
1984 The Bounty William Cole Hit Similar →
1983 The Tragedy of Richard III First Murderer Super Hit Similar →
1983 Henry VI Part 3 Duke of York Super Hit Similar →
1983 Henry VI Part 2 Duke of York Super Hit Similar →
1983 Henry VI Part 1 Duke of York / Master Gunner Of Orleans Super Hit Similar →
1982 Gandhi Sergeant Putnam Super Hit Similar →
1981 Say No to Strangers Teresa's Dad Hit Similar →
1980 The Black Stuff Yosser Hughes Hit Similar →
1978 She Fell Among Thieves Carson Hit Similar →
1978 The Spongers Sullivan Super Hit Similar →
1977 Professional Foul Broadbent Super Hit Similar →
1976 Trial by Combat Blind Freddie Super Hit Similar →
1973 Hard Labour Edward Thornley Hit Similar →

Bernard Hill - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Bernard Hill?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Bernard Hill is "The Spongers" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Bernard Hill acted in?

Bernard Hill has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Bernard Hill?

Other notable films include "The Last Tommy", "Titus: The Gorilla King", and "Titanic: Secrets Revealed".

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