Actor Bob Hoskins, best known for roles in Mona Lisa, Who Framed Roger Rabbit and The Long Good Friday, has died of pneumonia at the age of 71.
His agent confirmed to the BBC that he died on Tuesday (April 29) in hospital, surrounded by family. The British actor had announced he was retiring from acting in 2012 after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Hoskins was nominated for an Oscar in 1987 for his leading role in Neil Jordan’s Mona Lisa, for which he won Best Actor at the BAFTAs and the Cannes Film Festival.
He had previously received BAFTA nominations for his roles in Dennis Potter’s Pennies From Heaven (1978), classic gangster drama The Long Good Friday (1980) and his supporting performance opposite Michael Caine and Richard Gere in The Honorary Consul (1983).
Hoskins also attracted awards attention from the Golden Globes, with nominations for his role in live action-animation hybrid Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) and Stephen Frears’ Mr Henderson Presents (2005).
With more than 100 credits across film and television, his final two roles in 2012 spoke to a career that straddled big budget features and smaller, independent fare: action adventure Snow White and the Huntsmen and British comedy Outside Bet.
“We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Bob,” the actor’s wife Linda and children Alex, Sarah, Rosa and Jack said in a statement.
“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.”
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