14 DAY TRIAL // Famous British actor Bob Hoskins has passed away at the age of 71, it's just been revealed. The announcement has just been made by the actor's agent quoted by the Guardian, who has confirmed that the thespian passed away yesterday, April 29, from complications to pneumonia. At the time, he was surrounded by his family.
The gruff-looking actor had retired from his life on the screen back in 2012 since he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease back in the autumn of 2011. He was one of Britain's most loved and easily recognized authors, with a career that spans over 30 years and also crosses the Atlantic where he starred in several Hollywood major-motion projects.
His most famous role came with the live action and animation mixture film “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” from 1988, but by then he'd already starred in several other big Hollywood projects. Among the best known are “Brazil” (1985) and “Mona Lisa” (1986).
The latter movie would earn him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. In the crime drama he starred opposite Sir Michael Caine and Robbie Coltrane.
His debut was made in Great Britain, where he found fame with his role on the small screen production “Pennies from Heaven.” He would quickly move on to the big screen with the role of a London gangster-turned-businessman in “The Long good Friday” from 1980.
Of course, throughout his long career, Hoskins would not only go on to star in box office hits, but also some flops. The movie “Super Mario Bros” from 1993 he considered to be his very worst and he is quoted as referring to this film once as “the worst thing I ever did.”
His most recent role was in the fairy-tale adaptation “Snow White and the Huntsman” which also starred Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron and Chris Hemsworth. The movie was released in 2012 and it was to be his final performance as he revealed that he had been battling for several months with the brain disorder.
His death was received with great pain by fellow British actors. Stephen Fry is quoted as saying “Oh no, Bob Hoskins. Gone? That’s awful news. The Long Good Friday one of the best British movies of the modern era. A marvelous man.”
Right before he quit acting, Hoskins said in an interview that it was hard to retire since he kept getting contacted for roles, “They say: ‘Bob I know you’re trying to retire but we’ve got a little swan song here which is the business...’ and I get talked into it.”
The report on the news of his death is accompanied by the family's wish for privacy, “We ask that you respect our privacy during this time and thank you for your messages of love and support.”