Sad News: The Brilliant Actor Bob Hoskins Has Died…
The great character Actor Bob Hoskins died from pneumonia, his Agent confirmed.. Hoskins had made a dramatic announcement in 2012 that he was retiring form film due to his Parkinson’s Disease….
British actor Bob Hoskins, perhaps best known for his lead role in the animated fantasy “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” has died aged 71.
A family statement released Wednesday by agent Clair Dobbs said Hoskins died in a hospital from pneumonia.
Here is how The AP described him: “A versatile character actor capable of menace, quiet poignancy and Cockney charm, London-raised Hoskins appeared in some of the most acclaimed British films of the past few decades, including gangster classic “The Long Good Friday.”
Hoskins started acting in the late 1960’s, but it was his breakthrough role in the 1980 gangster film The Long Good Friday that made him a household name. He went on to receive an Academy Award nomination for his role in Neil Jordan’s 1986 film Mona Lisa, as well as a Golden Globe nomination for the lead non-animated part in Robert Zemeckis’ “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.”
Hoskins was last seen on the big screen in “Snow White & the Huntsman”, where he played the character of Muir the Dwarf.
He should be remembered for his breakout role as the British gangster in the classic 80’s film “The Long Good Friday.” Let’s take a look!
The Long Good Friday – directed by John Mackenzie – released in 1980.
Check out the trailer for this terrific British crime thriller!
Doesn’t that put you in the mood for a “tough as nails” British crime drama? This great movie introduced Bob Hoskins to America with a big fat fist to the face!
Hoskins stars as Harold, a prosperous English gangster, who is about to close a lucrative new deal when bombs start showing up in very inconvenient places. A mysterious syndicate is trying to muscle in on his action, and Harold wants to know who they are. He finds out soon enough, and bloody mayhem ensues. Oh, did I mention that Harold has a bit of a temper?
Casino Manager: “It was a good night. Nothing unusual.”
Harold: “Nothing unusual,” he says! Eric’s been blown to smithereens, Colin’s been carved up, and I’ve got a bomb in me casino, and you say nothing unusual?”
So things aren’t going well – and Hoskins decides to have a chat with some of his British mob competitors…
[Harold’s lads have rounded up all the local villains who are now hanging upside down from meat hooks in the abattoir]
Harold: “For more than ten years there’s been peace – everyone to his own patch. We’ve all had it sweet. I’ve done every single one of you favours in the past – I’ve put money in all your pockets. I’ve treated you well, even when you was out of order, right? Well now there’s been an eruption. It’s like fuckin’ Belfast on a bad night. One of my closest friends is lyin’ out there in the freezer. And believe me, all of you, nobody goes home until I find out who done it, and why.”
Helen Mirren stars as his wife, who is also tough as nails, but also able to maneuver out of any situation, like when one of the mob tries to seduce her in an elevator…
[in the lift on the way to Harold and Victoria’s penthouse]
Jeff: “I wanna lick every inch of you…”
[the lift stops, the bell pings]
Victoria: “Saved by the bell. Goodnight.”
In her 2008 autobiography “In the Frame: My Life in Words and Pictures”, Helen Mirren claims that it was at her insistence that her character “Victoria” was made into a more complex character than just the stereotypical mob moll.
This movie is full of great imagery and aggressive dialogue…
Harold: “Alan found him dying. He’d been nailed to the floor.”
Jeff: “When was this, then?”
Harold: “Well, it must’ve been just after you saw him and just before Alan saw him. Otherwise, you’d have noticed, wouldn’t you? I mean, a geezer nailed to the floor. A man of your education would definitely have spotted that, wouldn’t he?”
This was the first theatrical film role for Pierce Brosnan, who has a small but pivotal role. But the breakout star here was Hoskins…
This film has an amazing ending that showcases everything that made Hoskins such a breakout Actor…terrific film!
And yes, Hoskins was also in the disasterous film adaptation of the “Super Mario Brothers” video game, but hey, everyone has to eat!
RIP Bob Hoskins!
Categories: 70's Cinema, Academy Awards, Awards, Books / Media, British Cinema, Film Noir, Foreign Films, Great Films, Independent Cinema, London, Movies, Obscure Movies, Revenge Movies, Talent/Celebrities, Uncategorized
I love this guy. I have also had Long Good Friday in the Netflix queue for awhile, so I guess I’ll finally watch it. Hope he has a good retirement and is able to enjoy life.
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This was his breakthrough role, but he had many other good ones, most recently “Mrs. Henderson Presents”, which he produced based on his childhood experiences in war-torn London…
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God Bless Bob, You have given me so much pleasure over the years. My family has suffered with this. You are a great actor!
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