Bob Hoskins

Bob hoskins filming ruby blue cropped (cropped)

Bob Hoskins (26 October 1942 – 29 April 2014) was an English actor known for his distinctive voice, physicality, and versatility. He gained fame for his roles in films such as Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Mona Lisa, and The Long Good Friday.

Early Life

Bob Hoskins was born in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England. He was the son of Elsie Lillian, a cook and nursery school teacher, and Robert William Hoskins, a bookkeeper and lorry driver. Hoskins left school at the age of 15 and took various jobs, including working on a kibbutz in Israel and as a porter, lorry driver, and window cleaner.

Career

Hoskins' acting career began in the late 1960s when he joined the Unity Theatre in London. He made his television debut in the 1970s with roles in series such as On the Move and Thick as Thieves.

Breakthrough

His breakthrough role came in 1980 with the film The Long Good Friday, where he played the role of Harold Shand, a London gangster. This performance earned him critical acclaim and established him as a prominent actor in British cinema.

Notable Roles

In 1986, Hoskins starred in Mona Lisa, for which he won the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor, a BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama.

Hoskins gained international fame with his role as Eddie Valiant in the 1988 film Who Framed Roger Rabbit, a groundbreaking film that combined live-action and animation. His performance was widely praised and showcased his ability to blend comedy and drama.

Other notable films include Mermaids, Hook, Super Mario Bros., and Mrs. Henderson Presents.

Personal Life

Hoskins was married twice. His first marriage was to Jane Livesey, with whom he had two children. He later married Linda Banwell, with whom he also had two children.

In 2012, Hoskins retired from acting after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He passed away on 29 April 2014 from pneumonia at the age of 71.

Legacy

Bob Hoskins is remembered as one of the most talented and versatile actors of his generation. His ability to portray a wide range of characters, from gangsters to comedic roles, left a lasting impact on both British and international cinema.

Filmography

• The Long Good Friday (1980)
• Mona Lisa (1986)
• Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
• Mermaids (1990)
• Hook (1991)
• Super Mario Bros. (1993)
• Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005)

Awards and Nominations

• Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor
• BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role
• Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama

See Also

• List of British actors
• Parkinson's disease
• Cannes Film Festival