Actor Bob Hoskins returned to the essence yesterday after a bout with pneumonia on April 29, 2014. Many remember him in the cult classic animated film Who Framed Roger Rabbit. But Hoskins, born in St. Edmund’s Suffolk, England on October 26, 1942, had a long and storied career that spanned four decades as a star of television and films. He first appeared in such British television series as Villains (1972) and Thick as Thieves (1974).
It was only a matter of time before Hoskins would expand his career to the silver screen. He stood out alongside Richard Dreyfuss in John Byrum’s Inserts (1974). Followed by a role in Royal Flash in 1975. Despite all the quality work put in throughout his career to that point, Bob Hoskins’ true breakout role came in the 1978 miniseries Pennies from Heaven where he played ill-fated salesman Arthur Parker. The ball really got rolling after that.
The Cotton Club (1984), Brazil (1985), and 1986’s Mona Lisa for which he was nominated for an Oscar and a Golden Globe. Another Globe nomination for Who Framed Roger Rabbit came in 1988, along with Mermaids (1990), Hook (1991), Nixon (1995), Felicia’s Journey (1999) and Enemy at the Gates (2001). His last role was as one of the seven dwarves in 2012's Snow White & The Huntsman alongside Kristen Stewart.
Always pugnacious in his roles, a tough guy more often than not, he displayed a heart of gold in most of his roles and in life. Bob Hoskins was 71-years-old. His passing comes nearly two years after he retired from acting following a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.
