Noted British actor Bob Hoskins, best known for his roles in movies like Who Framed Roger Rabbit and The Long Good Friday died of pneumonia on Wednesday at the age of 71. Hoskins was suffering from Parkinson’s disease and leaves behind his wife Linda and four children Jack, Rosa, Sara and Alex. Bob Hoskins was born on October 1942 in Suffolk, England.
Soon after the news of his death spread, many famous personalities from the film industry paid tribute to him. First among them was Dame Helen Mirren. She starred with Bob Hoskins in The Long Good Friday. She said in a statement that the world of cinema has lost a great artist and even a greater human being.
She described him as someone who was very hard working, loyal, funny and instinctive. Bob was a person who was full of energy. He was very supportive and she said that it was an honor to watch him play one of the most memorable characters in British cinema. They worked together again in the 2001 movie Last Orders. She said that she will miss him personally.
Others who came forward to pay their last respect to the actor include Michael Caine who worked with him in Mona Lisa and Last Orders. Bob was nominated for Oscars once for his performance in the lead role in Mona Lisa.
Director Stephen Frears also shared his memory of Bob. He directed him in the movie Mrs Henderson Presents. Hoskins also contributed a lot to British television. He is known for his role in the TV series Pennies from Heaven which virtually turned him into a star. He was responsible for the rise of many British actors like Gary Oldman and Tim Roth who were from the working class like him. He will be remembered fondly for a long time to come.