'We're devastated by the loss of our beloved Bob': Family's heartache for actor Bob Hoskins who dies from pneumonia aged 71
- He retired from showbusiness in 2012 because of Parkinson’s disease
- Film career spanned four decades including Who Framed Roger Rabbit
- Most recent appearance was in Snow White and the Huntsman in 2012
- Married to Linda and had four children - Alex, Sarah, Rosa and Jack
PUBLISHED: 13:31, 30 April 2014 | UPDATED: 15:29, 30 April 2014
Death: Actor Bob Hoskins seen in September 2010
Bob Hoskins died last night at the age of 71 following pneumonia, it has been revealed.
It comes two years after the much-loved actor announced he was retiring from showbusiness after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Hoskins's silver screen career spanned four decades and included Hollywood hits such as Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
His most recent appearance was in Snow White and the Huntsman, released in 2012 and starring Kristen Stewart.
His second wife Linda and children Alex, Sarah, Rosa and Jack said: 'We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Bob.
'Bob died peacefully at hospital last night surrounded by family, following a bout of pneumonia.'
The family also thanked well-wishers for their 'messages of love and support'.
Hoskins revealed his battle with the brain disorder several months after his diagnosis.
Culture Minister Ed Vaizey paid tribute, saying: 'For decades, Bob Hoskins has entertained television and film audiences of all age groups around the world. The British film industry has lost one of its true greats, and my thoughts and sympathies go out to his family and friends.'
Actor Stephen Fry said on Twitter today: 'Oh no, Bob Hoskins. Gone? That’s awful news. The Long Good Friday [is] one of the best British movies of the modern era. A marvellous man.'
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Married: He had four children and lived in East Sussex with second wife Linda Banwell for more than a decade
Hollywood hit: He played Eddie Valiant in the 1988 Touchstone Pictures film Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Respected: He had an Oscar nomination for best actor for his lead role in Mona Lisa, with Cathy Tyson in 1986
Pirate: Hoskins played Smee in the 1991 Steven Spielberg film Hook, which also starred Robin Williams
And actor Martin Kemp added: 'RIP Bob Hoskins - Long Good Friday [is] one of the best movies ever made. You will be missed.'
Hoskins began his film career in the 1970s and found fame playing Harold Shand in the iconic 1980 gangster film The Long Good Friday alongside Helen Mirren.
PARKINSON'S: TREMORS, MUSCLE STIFFNESS AND MOVEMENT ISSUES
Parkinson's disease is a condition in which part of the brain becomes progressively more and more damaged over many years.
It causes involuntary shaking and tremors, muscle stiffness and a slowing down of physical movements. It can also result in depression, daytime sleepiness and swallowing difficulties.
Parkinson's disease is caused by a loss of nerve cells in part of the brain. This leads to a reduction in the amount of a chemical called dopamine in the brain. This plays a vital role in regulating the movement of the body.
Actor Michael J Fox, 52, is one of the most well-known sufferers of the disease, which he has battled for more than 20 years.
Another high-profile sufferer is 72-year-old former boxer Muhammad Ali, who was diagnosed at the age of 42 in 1984.
An Oscar nomination for best actor and further critical acclaim followed his lead role in another British film, Mona Lisa, in 1986.
He went on to play Eddie Valiant in Who Framed Roger Rabbit in 1988, and Smee in both Hook (1991) and Neverland (2011).
In the 1980s and 1990s he was also famous for his adverts for BT, and his ‘It’s good to talk’ catchphrase became well-known.
He had four children and lived in East Sussex with second wife Linda for more than a decade.
Asked in May 2012 if acting was still a passion, Hoskins replied: ‘Acting is a lark but I’m trying to work less.
'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 more you don’t want to work, the more work you get.
'I want to be at home with the wife but she doesn’t want me to retire, she wants me out of the house.'
Couple: Actor Bob Hoskins and his second wife Linda arrive for a UK film premiere in London in May 2004
Reaction: Actor Martin Kemp said on Twitter that Long Good Friday is 'one of the best movies ever made'
'Marvellous': Actor Stephen Fry also had praise for The Long Good Friday, saying it was 'one of the best British movies of the modern era'
'A gentleman': Actor Samuel L Jackson described Hoskins as a 'truly gigantic talent', saying he was 'truly saddened'
Bob Hoskins: How a nursery school teacher's son fell into a Hollywood career
Born in the Suffolk town of Bury St Edmunds in October 1942, Bob Hoskins rose from circus worker and camel herder to Hollywood giant.
His mother Elsie Hopkins, a nursery school teacher and cook, had been living in the market town after being evacuated as a result of heavy bombings during the Second World War.
As a child Hoskins grew up in north London leaving school at the age of 15.
Classic: His career spanned four decades and included Hollywood hits such as Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Co-stars: He appeared in Neverland in 2011 as Mr Smee alongside Anna Friel, who played Elizabeth Bonny
Before embarking on his acting career Hoskins had a string of unusual jobs including looking after camels in Syria and later packing fruit on a kibbutz in Israel.
'A MARVELLOUS MAN': TRIBUTES TO HOSKINS POUR IN ON TWITTER
Tributes have poured in for Hoskins, with many taking to Twitter to express their disbelief at his death.
Actor and comedian Stephen Fry tweeted: ‘Oh no, Bob Hoskins. Gone? That's awful news. The Long Good Friday one of the best British movies of the modern era. A marvellous man.’
Hollywood actor James Woods, who starred with Hoskins in the 1995 drama Nixon, mourned his death by celebrating the Briton's acting talents. He tweeted: ‘Oh man, what a terrible loss. A great guy and a superb artist.’
Fellow Tinstletown legend Samuel L Jackson spoke of his sadness at the news, saying: ‘Truly saddened by the passing of Bob Hoskins! A truly Gigantic talent & a Gentleman. R.I.P.’
The League of Gentlemen actor Mark Gatiss, who starred in a production of The Wind In The Willows with Hoskins for the BBC, posted a photograph of the pair from the show.
He tweeted: ‘So sad to hear we've lost the great Bob Hoskins. A true gent & an inspiration. Happy memories of 'the Willows' in '06’.
Actor Nick Frost shared the silver screen with Hoskins when they appeared together as Nion and Muir, two of the seven dwarves in the 2012 film Snow White And The Huntsman.
Frost tweeted: ‘Terribly sad news about Bob Hoskins. A pleasure to have shared the screen with you mate. An Actors actor and a gentleman to boot. RIP.
‘If you want to see Bob in full flow watch The Long Good Friday. A tour de force. The long shot at the end of Bob in the taxi is amazing.’
Theatre director and choreographerMatthew Bourne added simply: ‘RIP Bob Hoskins’.
Actor and Spandau Ballet musician Martin Kemp said: ‘RIP Bob Hoskins, 'Long Good Friday' one of the best movies ever made! You will be missed!’, while EastEnders starShane Richie said: ‘Goodbye to a giant of British cinema RIP bob Hoskins x’.
His fellow soap star Danny Dyer said: ‘RIP Bob Hoskins.....gone but never ever forgotten. :(‘
The Da Vinci Code and Spider-Man 2 actorAlfred Molina tweeted: ‘RIP Bob Hoskins. One of the great ones. True gentleman, gifted actor, you will be terribly missed’, while comedian Omid Djalili wrote: ‘RIP Bob Hoskins. Worked with him twice. Always a laugh’.
Shadow culture secretary Harriet Harmansaid: ‘Sad to hear that Bob Hoskins has died - great actor’, while sports presenter Gabby Logan tweeted: ‘If there was ever a man who personified Avuncular on screen and apparently in life it was Bob Hoskins. As in reassuring and trustworthy.’
Irish Game Of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham, who starred with Hoskins in Jimmy McGovern drama The Street, tweeted of how he enjoyed filming with the diminutive actor.
He tweeted: ‘I filmed "The Street" with Bob Hoskins in 2010. Had copious amounts of wine with the man. It was a joy to work with him. RIP’.
Pop star Boy George wrote: ‘R.I.P Bob Hoskins’, while Jermain Jackman, winner of this year's talent show The Voice, said: ‘Rest In Peace Bob Hoskins! Who framed Rodger Rabbit is one of my favourite films! You will be missed!’
Former British children's laureate Michael Rosen tweeted: ‘Loved Bob Hoskins. First saw him in Ken Campbell's Roadshow in about 1970. Perf'd brilliantly my story “The Bakerloo Flea” on TV.’
He is also known to have worked as a porter, lorry driver and window cleaner and attempted a three-year accounting course but dropped out, before he discovered acting.
But a passion for language and literature inspired by his former English teacher, saw the teenager dream of a career path that would lead him on to the stage.
Hoskins stumbled into acting at the age of 26 when he accompanied a friend to watch a series of auditions at the Unity Theatre in 1969, only to be confused for one of the actors taking part.
A script was pushed into his hands and Hoskins ended up being given the role.
On getting his first role, Hoskins, said: 'I was three parts pissed. We were going to a party. And this bloke comes around and says: "Right. You're next. Have you seen the script?"...And I got the leading part.'
He spent several seasons with the Royal National Theatre and the Old Vic Theatre in London, where his credits included everything from a range of Shakespeare to Chechov to Shaw.
After some success on the stage, he moved to television securing roles in the series Villains (1972) and Thick As Thieves (1974).
He launched his film career in the mid-70s.
His first role was a stand-out performance alongside Richard Dreyfuss in John Byrum's Inserts (1974), followed by a smaller part in Richard Lester's Royal Flash (1975).
His big break came when in 1978 he stared in Dennis Potter's mini TV series, Pennies From Heaven, playing the role of Arthur Parker a doomed salesman.
That performance secured Hoskins a string of film offers.
His debut in a major blockbuster came in 1980 when he secured the role of Harold Shand in gangster film The Long Good Friday, alongside actress Helen Mirren.
An Oscar nomination for best actor and further critical acclaim, including a BAFTA award, followed his lead role in another British film, Mona Lisa, in 1986.
He went on to play Eddie Valiant in Who Framed Roger Rabbit in 1988, and Smee in both Hook (1991) and Neverland (2011), and Nikita Khrushchev in Enemy At The Gates (2001).
His instantly-recognisable London accent did not stop him taking a role as FBI boss J Edgar Hoover in the 1995 film Nixon.
Despite big-budget hits, he was more than happy to appear in low-budget movies such as the Shane Meadows-directed A Room For Romeo Brass.
The star - married to his second wife Linda for 30 years - also moved into directing with The Raggedy Rawney and Rainbow.
Despite his flourishing big-screen career, Hoskins took a role in Jimmy McGovern's BBC1 series The Street in 2009, winning an international Emmy.
He was famously on standby to play Al Capone in Brian De Palma's The Untouchables, until Robert De Niro agreed to take the role.
The director went on to send him a cheque for £20,000.
Hoskins said: 'I phoned him up and I said "Brian, if you've ever got any films you don't want me in, son, you just give me a call".'
In the 1980s and 1990s Hoskins also became known for his adverts for BT, and his ‘It’s good to talk’ catchphrase became well-known.
Hoskins announced his retirement after being diagnosed with Parkinson's in the Autumn of 2011 and his last film, Snow White And The Huntsman was released in 2012.
Speaking about the acting profession, Hoskins said: 'I came into this business uneducated, dyslexic, 5ft 6in, cubic, with a face like a squashed cabbage and they welcomed me with open arms.'
In 1988, he said the profession had become one of the great joys of his life.
He said: 'My life has taken off - my life, my career - everything. I can honestly say I've never been happier. I'm walking around thinking any minute now, 25 tons of horse-s*** is going is going to fall on my head.'
Hoskins played Harold Shand in the iconic 1980 gangster film The Long Good Friday alongside Helen Mirren
Hoskins's most recent appearance was in Snow White and the Huntsman, released in 2012. He is seen right
Smoking: Hoskins with Helen Mirren in 1980 film The Long Good Friday, directed by John Mackenzie
IN HIS OWN WORDS: SOME OF BOB HOSKINS'S MOST FAMOUS QUOTES
- ‘I came into this business uneducated, dyslexic, 5ft 6in, cubic, with a face like a squashed cabbage - and they welcomed me with open arms’ - July 2009
- ‘I do find being violent on stage or in a film very easy. I once had to play a Pope, and being good was murder’ - October 2005
- ‘If it wasn't for acting I'd probably be a serial killer’ - September 2010.
- ‘A common misperception of me is that I am a tough guy. You don't end up looking like me if you are a tough guy. I just have a big mouth with little to back it up’ - August 2007
- ‘No, I don't want to be one of them. No thank you very much. Why accept a tribute from a society I have nothing in common with?’ - The actor saying he would never accept a knighthood should one be offered, December 2005.
- ‘In some ways, Britain is going to the dogs. We've got some of the worst politicians in the world.’ - September 2010
- ‘I met a gangster and he said, 'Bob, I'm glad to see one of our own doing well'. I said, 'One of your own? I've never tortured anybody in my life’' - October 2006
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2616791/Actor-Bob-Hoskins-dies-aged-71-following-pneumonia.html#ixzz30NnJ6ZjC
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