Bob Hoskins

Robert William Hoskins (26 October 1942 – 29 April 2014) was a talented English actor and film director. Known for his intense but sensitive portrayals of 'tough guy' characters, Hoskins started his career on stage before making a successful screen breakthrough playing Arthur Parker on the 1978 BBC Television serial Pennies from Heaven. He soon found fame with acclaimed lead roles in films such as The Long Good Friday (1980), Mona Lisa (1986), Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), and Mermaids (1990). His supporting roles were equally successful and included appearances in Pink Floyd – The Wall (1982), The Cotton Club (1984), and Mrs Henderson Presents (2005).

However, Hoskins impressive list of achievements didn't end at acting. He also directed two feature films, The Raggedy Rawney (1988) and Rainbow (1996), earning high praise for both projects. Throughout his career, Hoskins received several prestigious awards, including the Best Actor Award at the Cannes Film Festival, the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama for his role in Mona Lisa. In 2009, his performance on the BBC One drama The Street earned him an International Emmy Award for Best Actor. He retired from acting in 2012 due to Parkinson's disease and passed away in April 2014 from pneumonia.