British Actor Bob Hoskins Dies Aged 71

We don’t like to start off a day on a sad note but unfortunately the sad news that the veteran  British actor Bob Hoskins has sadly died at the age of 71. The actor’s agent announced the news that he died of pneumonia on Tuesday in a local  hospital surrounded by his family.

He will always be known for his lead roles in Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Mona Lisa but also his breakthrough role in the 1980 Long Good Friday playing Harold Shand, a role that would earn him critical praise.

Born in Bury St.Edmonds on 1942 Bob Hoskins had  a career that would span over 40 years first starting on stage, a unexpected break when he was mistakenly called to audition. He went to play in a number of roles on television with Dennis Potter’s Pennies From Heaven one of his notable performances.After breaking into the big screen with a Long Good Friday Bob Hoskins would gain a Oscar nomination for Best Actor in Neil Jordan’s Mona Lisa. It was the ground breaking Who Framed Roger Rabbit film that many especially those youngsters at the time will remember him for, a ambitious live action/animation hybrid which may not be groundbreaking now but nearly 26 years ago it was. Hoskins jokingly told the press that he believed his co-stars where real “I had learnt how to hallucinate If you do that for eight months it becomes hard to get rid of.”

The range of films he starred in was very diverse ranging from Brazil, Hook, Neverland, A Room For Romeo Brass, Nixon (playing J Edgar Hoover), Christmas Carol, Mermids, Mrs Henderson Presents, Made In Dagenham and Spice World. His last Hollywood performance was in Snow White And The Huntsman playing one of the Dwarves.

Despite been one of Hollywood’s in demand actors Bob Hoskins always found time to appear in numerous  series, dramas for television such as  Play for Today, On the Move, Van der Valk and  award winning BBC drama The Street. There was even time to head BT’s ‘Good To Talk’ TV Advert campaign, off course another medium to hear his distinctive gruff voice.

2012 the actor announced his retirement  from his craft after his devastating news when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.

Here’s what some of his fellow professionals said about his tragic death

“That’s awful news. The Long Good Friday is one of the best British movies of the modern era. A marvellous man.” said Stephen Fry.

Nick Frost his co-star in Snow White And The Hunstsman said “A pleasure to have shared the screen with you, mate. An actor’s actor and a gentleman to boot. RIP.”

Mark Gatiss who starred with him on Wind And The Willows “a true gent and an inspiration“.

Here’s the short statement his family released “Bob died peacefully at hospital last night surrounded by family, following a bout of pneumonia. We ask that you respect our privacy during this time and thank-you for your messages of love and support.”

BoB Hoskins is survived by his wife Linda and children Sarah, Alex and Jack. From all the writers, readers  at The People’s Movies and Cinehouse our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, thank you for the memories.

Source BBC / Empire