Lord of the Rings cast pays tribute to Bernard Hill after actor’s death

Actors Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan, who played the four central hobbits in the films, paid tribute to their “funny, gruff and handsome” friend on stage at a Comic Con event in Liverpool.

Hill was scheduled to appear at the event but withdrew Friday evening.

Paying tribute, event organizers said: “We are heartbroken to hear the news of the death of Bernard Hill. A great loss.

“I am thinking of his family at this very sad time and I wish them lots of strength.”

Astin, who played Samwise Gamgee, began by saying, “We loved him. He was fearless, he was funny, he was gruff, he was short-tempered, he was handsome.”

Boyd, who played Pippin, added: “We were watching the films and I said to Dom, I don’t think anyone has said Tolkien’s words as well as Bernard.

“He would break my heart. He will be greatly missed.”

Wood also posted a message on in writing: “Goodbye to our friend, our king, Bernard Hill. We will never forget you.

“‘For he was a gentle heart and a great king, and he kept his oaths; and he came out of the shadows until one last fine morning.'”

Monaghan also wrote a message on Instagram, saying Hill “has passed into gray paradises but he will always be remembered.”

Hill joined the cast of the second film in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, 2002’s The Two Towers, which won two Academy Awards for Best Sound Editing and Best Visual Effects.

He returned to the franchise for The Return of the King in 2003, which won 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Jackson.

Hill was also known for his role in Titanic, in which he played Captain Edward Smith, and also appeared in Wolf Hall and Boys from the Blackstuff.