Bob Hoskins
Bob Hoskins | |
|---|---|
 Hoskins in 2006, during the filming of Ruby Blue | |
| Born | Robert William Hoskins 26 October 1942 Bury St Edmunds, West Suffolk, England |
| Died | 29 April 2014 (aged 71) London, England |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1968–2012 |
| Spouse(s) |
Jane Livesey
(m. 1967; div. 1978)Linda Banwell
(m. 1982; "his death" is deprecated; use "died" instead. 2014) |
| Children | 4 |
Robert William Hoskins OBE (26 October 1942 – 29 April 2014) was an English actor.[1] His work included lead roles in Pennies from Heaven (1978), The Long Good Friday (1980), Mona Lisa (1986), Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), Mermaids (1990), and Super Mario Bros. (1993), and supporting performances in Brazil (1985), Hook (1991), Nixon (1995), Enemy at the Gates (2001), Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005), A Christmas Carol (2009), Made in Dagenham (2010), and Snow White and the Huntsman (2012). He also directed two feature films: The Raggedy Rawney (1988) and Rainbow (1996).
Hoskins received the best actor award at the Cannes Film Festival, the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama for his role in Mona Lisa. He was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for the same role. In 2009, Hoskins won an International Emmy Award for Best Actor for his appearance on the BBC One drama The Street. Hoskins retired from acting in 2012 due to Parkinson's disease, and died from pneumonia on 29 April 2014, at age 71.
Early life
Hoskins was born in Bury St Edmunds, West Suffolk, on 26 October 1942 to Robert Hoskins, a bookkeeper and lorry driver, and Elsie (née Hopkins) Hoskins, a cook and nursery school teacher.[2][3] His grandmother was Romani.[4] From two weeks old he was brought up in Finsbury Park, London.[5] He attended Stroud Green Secondary School where he was written off as stupid on account of his dyslexia.[6] He left school at 15 with a single O-Level and worked as a porter, lorry driver, plumber and window cleaner. He started but did not complete a 3-year accountancy course.[7][8] He spent half a year in Israel on a kibbutz, and two years in Syria tending the camels of a Bedouin tribe.[8]
Career
Hoskins' acting career began in 1968 at the Victoria Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent, in a production of Romeo and Juliet in which he played a servant named Peter.[9] A year later, while waiting in the bar at Unity Theatre, London, for his friend the actor Robert Frost, Hoskins found himself being auditioned for a play after being handed a script and told "you're next."[10] His audition was successful and Frost became his understudy. Frost considered Hoskins "a natural", recalling that "he just got up on stage and was brilliant."[11]
His first major television role was in On the Move (1975–1976), an educational drama series directed by Barbara Derkow intended to tackle adult illiteracy.[12] He portrayed the character Alf Hunt, a removal man who had problems reading and writing. According to producer George Auckland, up to 17 million people watched the series.[13] His breakthrough in television came later in the original BBC version of Dennis Potter's innovative 6-part fantasy-drama Pennies from Heaven (1978), in which he portrayed adulterous sheet music salesman Arthur Parker. He went on to play Iago in Jonathan Miller's BBC Television Shakespeare production of Othello (1981).[14] In 1983 Hoskins voiced an advert for Weetabix and during the late 1980s and early 1990s, he appeared in advertising for British Gas and British Telecom (now BT Group).[15][16] Other television work included Flickers, portraying Wilkins Micawber in David Copperfield (1999), and The Wind in the Willows (2006).
British films such as The Long Good Friday (1980) and Mona Lisa (1986) won him the wider approval of critics, the latter film winning him a Cannes Award, Best Actor Golden Globe, BAFTA Awards, and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
Other works in film included delivering comic turns in Terry Gilliam's Brazil (1985); portraying Smee in Hook (1991) and in Neverland (2011); starring opposite Cher in Mermaids (1990); portraying Nikita Khrushchev as a political commissar in Enemy at the Gates (2001); and playing Uncle Bart, the violent psychopathic "owner" of Jet Li in Unleashed (2005; aka Danny The Dog). He had a small role as the protagonist's rock and roll manager in The Wall (1979), and in 1997 had a cameo as Ginger Spice’s disguise in the Spice Girls film Spice World.[17] He directed two films that he also starred in: The Raggedy Rawney (1988) and Rainbow (1996), and produced Mrs Henderson Presents alongside Norma Heyman, for which he was nominated Golden Globe Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the film.[18]
A high point in his career was portraying private investigator Edward "Eddie" Valiant in the live-action/animated family blockbuster Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988). Hoskins was not the first choice for the role; Harrison Ford, Bill Murray, and Eddie Murphy were all considered for the part.[19][20] Film critics, among them Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, agreed that Hoskins was perfect for the role.[21] As his character interacts and makes physical contact with animated characters in the film, Hoskins was required to take mime training courses in preparation. He suffered hallucinations for months after production on the film had ended.[22][23][24] He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and won a British Evening Standard Award for his performance.
Hoskins was slated to be the last-minute replacement in case Robert De Niro refused the role of Al Capone in The Untouchables (1987). When De Niro accepted the part, the director Brian De Palma mailed Hoskins a cheque for £20,000 with a "Thank You" note. Hoskins was moved to call the director and ask if there were any more films he wasn't needed for.[25]
He told The Guardian in 2007 that he regretted starring as Mario in Super Mario Bros. (1993), saying that he was extremely unhappy with the film, greatly angered by his experiences making it, and referring to it as the "worst thing I ever did". He was injured several times on set, spent most of the time with co-star John Leguizamo getting drunk to escape boredom, and had no idea the film was based upon a video game until told so by his son.[8]
In 2007 Hoskins appeared in the music video for Jamie T's single "Sheila". [26] In 2009 he returned to television for Jimmy McGovern's drama serial The Street, playing a publican who opposes a local gangster. For this role he received his only Emmy: Best Actor at the 2010 International Emmys. The 2011 film In Search of La Che features a character, "Wermit", whose every line of dialogue is a quote of Bob Hoskins.[27]
On 8 August 2012 Hoskins announced his retirement from acting having been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2011.[28]
Personal life
In 1967, aged 25, Hoskins spent a short period of time volunteering in kibbutz Zikim in Israel, and also herded camels in Syria.[29][30][31] When asked in an interview which living person he most despised, Hoskins named Tony Blair and said that "he's done even more damage than Thatcher". He hated Blair to the point that he decided in 2010, for the first time in his life, not to vote for Labour, by then led by Gordon Brown.[32][33] He made light of his similarities with film actor Danny DeVito, whom he joked would play him in a film about his life.[34]
With his first wife Jane Livesey, Hoskins had two children - Alex (born 1968) and Sarah (born 1972). With his second wife Linda Banwell, he had two more children - Rosa (born c. 1983) and Jack (born c. 1986).[35] Hoskins divided his time between Hampstead, London[36] and Chiddingly, East Sussex.[37]
Illness and death
In August 2012, Hoskins retired from acting after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2011.[38]
On 29 April 2014, he died of pneumonia at a hospital in London, England at age 71.[1][39] He is survived by his second wife Linda Banwell and his four children.[40]
Among the actors who paid tribute at his funeral were Stephen Fry, Samuel L. Jackson, and Helen Mirren, who said that "London will miss one of her best and most loving sons".[14][41]
Filmography
Film
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Villains | Charles Grindley | 3 episode |
| Play for Today | Taxi driver | Episode: "The Bankrupt" | |
| 1973 | Crown Court | Freddie Dean | 3 episodes |
| New Scotland Yard | Eddie Wharton | Episode: "Weight of Evidence" | |
| Softly, Softly: Taskforce | Parker | Episode: "Outrage" | |
| Play for Today | Woodbine | Episode: "Her Majesty's Pleasure" | |
| 1974 | Shoulder to Shoulder | Jack Dunn | Episode: "Outrage" |
| Thick as Thieves | Dobbs | 8 episodes | |
| Play for Today | Blake | Episode: "Schmoedipus" | |
| 1975 | On the Move | Alf | 2 years, 100 episodes |
| 1976 | Thriller | Sammy Draper | Episode: "Cry Terror" |
| The Crezz | Detective Sergeant Marble | Episode: "A Flash of Inspiration" | |
| 1977 | Van der Valk | Johnny Palmer | Episode: "Dead on Arrival" |
| Rock Follies of '77 | Johnny Britten | Episode: "The Real Life" | |
| 1978 | Pennies from Heaven | Arthur Parker | 6 episodes Nominated – BAFTA TV Award for Best Actor |
| 1979 | Of Mycenae and Men | Mr. Taramasalatopoulos | Television short |
| 1980 | Flickers | Arnie Cole | 6 episodes |
| 1981 | Othello | Iago | Television film - BBC |
| 1983 | The Beggar's Opera | Beggar | Television film - BBC |
| 1985 | Mussolini and I | Benito Mussolini | 4 episodes |
| 1985 | The Dunera Boys | Morrie Mendellsohn | 2 episodes |
| 1994 | The Changeling | De Flores | Television film |
| World War II: When Lions Roared | Winston Churchill | Television film - NBC | |
| 1995–1999 | The Forgotten Toys | Teddy | Voice 26 episodes |
| 1996 | Tales from the Crypt | Redmond | Episode: "Fatal Caper" |
| 1999 | David Copperfield | Wilkins Micawber | 2 episodes |
| 2000 | Noriega: God's Favorite | Manuel Noriega | Television film Nominated – Satellite Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film |
| Don Quixote | Sancho Panza | Television film - Hallmark | |
| 2001 | The Lost World | Professor George Challenger | Television film - BBC |
| 2003 | Frasier | Coach Fuller | Episode: "Trophy Girlfriend" |
| The Good Pope: Pope John XXIII | Angelo Roncalli/Pope John XXIII | Television film | |
| 2008 | The Englishman's Boy | Damon Ira Chance | 2 episodes |
| Pinocchio | Geppetto | Television film | |
| The Last Word Monologues | unnamed hitman | Episode: "A Bit of Private Business" | |
| 2009 | The Street | Paddy Gargan | 2 episodes International Emmy Award for Best Actor |
| 2011 | Neverland | Smee | 2 episodes |
References
- ^ a b Anderson, John (30 April 2014). "Bob Hoskins, Actor Who Combined Charm and Menace, Dies at 71". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
- ^ "Bob Hoskins Obituary". The Herald. Glasgow. 30 April 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
- ^ Hattenstone, Simon (2 August 2007). "The Method? Living it out? Cobblers!". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
- ^ Moline 1988, p. 201.
- ^ Confirmed on Desert Island Discs in November 1988
- ^ "Bob Hoskins - obituary". The Daily Telegraph. No. 30 April 2014. 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
- ^ Farndale, Nigel (27 November 2009). "Bob Hoskins interview: 'My own mum wouldn't call me pretty'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
- ^ a b c "Bob Hoskins: 10 things you didn't know". The Daily Telegraph. 29 April 2015.
- ^ Neale, William A. (1 May 2014). "Bob Hoskins". Safety Curtain. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
- ^ "Bob Hoskins: Sold as seen". The Guardian. 9 October 1999. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
- ^ Moline 1988, p. 17.
- ^ "On the Move (TV Series)". BFI Film & TV database. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
- ^ "On the Move: How Bob Hoskins helped adults learn to read". BBC News. 3 May 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
- ^ a b "Helen Mirren on Bob Hoskins: 'A spectacular firework just as it takes off'". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
- ^ Chris Fillm (2002). "Marketing Communications: Contexts, Strategies, and Applications". p. 516. Financial Times Prentice Hall
- ^ Kay, Dan (30 April 2014). "Much-loved British actor Bob Hoskins dies age 71". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
- ^ Collins, Andrew. "Spice World: the Movie". Radio Times. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
- ^ "Bob Hoskins to retire after Parkinson's diagnosis". BBC News. 9 August 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
- ^ Stewart, James B. (2005). DisneyWar. New York City: Simon & Schuster. p. 86. ISBN 978-0684809939.
- ^ Evans, Bradford (7 April 2011). "The Lost Roles of Eddie Murphy". Splitsider. Archived from the original on 23 July 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ "Siskel & Ebert 1988-Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1of3)". YouTube. 29 November 2010. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
- ^ "Bob Hoskins interview: "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?"". Danmarks Radio. YouTube. 13 August 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
- ^ Cartoon Hangover (29 December 2015). "107 Facts About Who Framed Roger Rabbit". YouTube. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
- ^ "Hoskins: 'Roger Rabbit drove me mad'". Daily Express. London. 27 October 2009. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- ^ "Bob Hoskins paid not to play Capone". Metro. London. 19 March 2009. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
- ^ "Watch Jamie T's "Sheila" Video « The Lefort Report". www.thelefortreport.com. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
- ^ "Farewell to one of the greats, Bob Hoskins". Moviepilot. Archived from the original on 10 January 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
- ^ "Bob Hoskins retires from acting". ITV News. 8 August 2012. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
- ^ Sharrock, David (24 February 2007). "After nearly a century, Israel's first kibbutz calls time on communism". The Times. London. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
- ^ Stuart, Jan (7 November 1999). "MOVIES: Still Breathing Fire BOB HOSKINS dropped out of high school. Joined a circus. Fled to Israel. Then, he discovered acting". Newsday. Archived from the original on 25 July 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
- ^ "Bob Hoskins – Obituary". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
- ^ Walker, Tim (21 April 2010). Eden, Richard (ed.). "Bob Hoskins: It's the long goodbye for Gordon Brown". The Daily Telegraph.
- ^ "Q&A: Bob Hoskins". The Guardian. 17 June 2011.
- ^ Greenstreet, Rosanna (18 June 2011). "Q&A: Bob Hoskins". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
- ^ "Linda Hoskins saved him from an earlier death from alcohol". Daily Entertainment News. 30 April 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
- ^ Grice, Elizabeth (13 December 2001). "'I'm no tough guy'". The Daily Telegraph.
- ^ Roberts, Anna (11 August 2012). "Bob Hoskins to sell his Sussex home". The Argus.
- ^ "Bob Hoskins to retire after Parkinson's diagnosis". BBC News. BBC. 9 August 2012. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
- ^ Rozen, Leah (30 April 2014). "An Appreciation: Five Worthy Roles Played by Actor Bob Hoskins, Dead at Age 71". BBC America. BBBC. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ "Bob Hoskins dies of pneumonia aged 71". BBC News. BBC. 30 April 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
- ^ "Bob Hoskins tributes: 'a true gentleman'". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group Limited. 30 April 2014. Archived from the original on 30 April 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
- ^ "26th Annual Razzie Award Nominees for Worst Supporting Actor". Razzies.com. John Wilson and the Golden Raspberry Award Foundation. Archived from the original on 23 June 2011. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
Bibliography
- Moline, Karen (1988). Bob Hoskins: An Unlikely Hero. Sidgwick & Jackson. p. 213. ISBN 978-0283995088.
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External links
- 1942 births
- 2014 deaths
- English male voice actors
- English male film actors
- English male television actors
- People from Bury St Edmunds
- People from Hornsey
- People with Parkinson's disease
- Deaths from pneumonia
- Deaths from Parkinson's disease
- European Film Award for Best Actor winners
- Infectious disease deaths in England
- International Emmy Award for Best Actor winners
- BAFTA winners (people)
- Best Actor BAFTA Award winners
- Best Drama Actor Golden Globe (film) winners
- Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor winners
- Critics' Circle Theatre Award winners
- 20th-century English male actors
- 21st-century English male actors
- Best Actor Genie and Canadian Screen Award winners