Robert William Hoskins (26 October 1942 – 29 April 2014) was an English actor and film director.[1] Known for his intense but sensitive portrayals of "tough guy" characters,[2][3] he began his career on stage before making his screen breakthrough playing Arthur Parker on the 1978 BBC Television serial Pennies from Heaven. He subsequently played acclaimed lead roles in the films The Long Good Friday (1980), Mona Lisa (1986), Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), and Mermaids (1990).
Bob Hoskins | |
|---|---|
 Hoskins in May 2006 | |
| Born | Robert William Hoskins 26 October 1942 Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England |
| Died | 29 April 2014 (aged 71) London, England |
| Burial place | Highgate Cemetery, London |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1968–2012 |
| Spouses | Jane Livesey
(m. 1967; div. 1978)Linda Banwell (m. 1982) |
| Children | 4 |
Hoskins had supporting roles in Pink Floyd – The Wall (1982), The Honorary Consul (1983), The Cotton Club (1984), Brazil (1985), Hook (1991), Nixon (1995), Enemy at the Gates (2001), Maid in Manhattan (2002), Mrs Henderson Presents (2005), A Christmas Carol (2009), Made in Dagenham (2010), and Snow White and the Huntsman (2012). He portrayed Mario in the 1993 film Super Mario Bros., based on the video game of the same name, and voiced Boris Goosinov in the animated film Balto (1995). Hoskins also directed two feature films: The Raggedy Rawney (1988) and Rainbow (1996).
He 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. Hoskins won a Canadian Genie Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for Felicia's Journey. In 2009, he won an International Emmy Award for Best Actor for his appearance on the BBC One drama The Street. Hoskins retired from acting in 2012 owing to Parkinson's disease after being diagnosed the previous year. He died in April 2014 from pneumonia.
Early life
editRobert William Hoskins was born in Bury St Edmunds on 26 October 1942, the son of Elsie (née Hopkins), a cook and nursery school teacher, and Robert Hoskins, a bookkeeper and lorry driver.[4] One of his grandmothers was Romani.[5] From two weeks old, he was brought up in the Finsbury Park area of London.[6] He attended Stroud Green Secondary School, where he was written off as "stupid" on account of his dyslexia.[7] 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 three-year accountancy course.[8][9] He spent six months on a kibbutz in Israel and two years tending to the camels of a Bedouin tribe in Syria.[9]
Career
edit
Hoskins's 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.[10] A year later, while waiting in the bar at Unity Theatre, London, for his friend the actor Roger Frost, Hoskins found himself being auditioned for a play after being handed a script and told, "You're next."[11] 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".[12]
In late 1969, he was part of Bolton's Octagon Theatre outreach troupe, which became the Ken Campbell Roadshow.[13]
Hoskins's London theatre career included portraying a "vigorous" Alfred Doolittle in a West End production of Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion opposite Diana Rigg at the Albery Theatre in 1974,[14] and in a Royal Shakespeare Company production of Eugene O'Neill's The Iceman Cometh at the Aldwych Theatre in 1976 as Rocky the bartender, opposite Patrick Stewart.[15] In 1981, he starred with Helen Mirren in The Duchess of Malfi at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester[16] and the London Roundhouse.[17]
His first major television role was in On the Move (1975–1976), an educational drama series directed by Barbara Derkow aimed at tackling adult illiteracy.[18] 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.[19] His breakthrough in television came later in the original BBC version of Dennis Potter's 6-part drama Pennies from Heaven (1978), in which he portrayed adulterous sheet music salesman Arthur Parker. He later played Iago (opposite Anthony Hopkins) in Jonathan Miller's BBC Television Shakespeare production of Othello (1981).[20] 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).[21] 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 film parts included Spoor in Terry Gilliam's Brazil (1985), 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 (1982) and, in 1997, had a cameo as Ginger Spice's disguise in the Spice Girls' film, Spice World.[22] 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 as Golden Globe Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the film.[23]
A high point in his career was portraying the 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.[24] Film critics, among them Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, agreed that Hoskins was perfect for the role.[25] 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 experienced hallucinations for months after production on the film had ended.[26] He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and won a British Evening Standard Award for his performance.
Hoskins's portrayal of the Los Angeles investigator Valiant was one of several roles where he used an American accent; he was described by Trey Barrineau of USA Today as having "a knack for playing Americans better than most American actors could".[27] Others included Rocky the bartender in the play The Iceman Cometh (1976); gangster Owney Madden in Francis Coppola's The Cotton Club (1984); Gus Klein in Wolfgang Petersen's Shattered (1991); Mario in Super Mario Bros (1993) J. Edgar Hoover in Oliver Stone's Nixon (1995); and Eddie Mannix in Hollywoodland (2006). He 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 called De Palma to ask if there were any more films he was not needed for.[28]
In a 1988 interview with Fresh Air's Terry Gross, when asked about many of his roles being underworld types, Hoskins said, "I think if you've got a face like mine you don't usually wind up with the parts that Errol Flynn played, you know?"[29]
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".[30] Hoskins was injured several times on set, spent most of the time with co-star John Leguizamo getting drunk to escape boredom, and was not aware that the film was based on a video game until he was informed later by his son.[9] In a 2011 interview, he was asked, "What is the worst job you've done?", "What has been your biggest disappointment?", and "If you could edit your past, what would you change?" His answer to all three was Super Mario Bros.[31]
In 2007, Hoskins appeared in the music video for Jamie T's single "Sheila".[32] 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 from Bob Hoskins.[33] On 8 August 2012, Hoskins announced his retirement from acting, having been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2011.[34]
Personal life
editWith his first wife Jane Livesey, Hoskins had two children: Alex (b. 1968) and Sarah (b. 1971). With his second wife, Linda Banwell, he had two more children: Rosa (b. c. 1983) and Jack (b. c. 1986). Hoskins divided his time between the Hampstead area of London[35] and Chiddingly, East Sussex.[36]
Later in life, Hoskins gave up drinking alcohol. He said that his wife persuaded him to go sober.[37]
When asked in an interview which living person he most despised, Hoskins named Tony Blair and said, "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.[38][39]
Hoskins often made light of his similarities with film actor Danny DeVito, who he joked would play him in a film about his life.[39]
Illness and death
edit
Hoskins was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2011. He retired from acting in August 2012.[40] On 29 April 2014, Hoskins died of pneumonia at a London hospital, aged 71. He was survived by his wife Linda and his four children.[41]
Among actors who paid tribute at his funeral were Stephen Fry, Samuel L. Jackson, and Helen Mirren.[20][42] Hoskins is buried in Highgate Cemetery in London.[43]
Filmography
editFilm
editTelevision
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Villains | Charles Grindley | 3 episodes |
| 1972 | Play for Today | Taxi driver | Episode: "The Bankrupt" |
| 1973 | Crown Court | Freddie Dean | 3 episodes |
| 1973 | New Scotland Yard | Eddie Wharton | Episode: "Weight of Evidence" |
| 1973 | Softly, Softly: Task Force | Parker | Episode: "Signed Off" |
| 1973 | Play for Today | Woodbine | Episode: "Her Majesty's Pleasure" |
| 1974 | Shoulder to Shoulder | Jack Dunn | Episode: "Outrage" |
| 1974 | Thick as Thieves | Dobbs | 8 episodes |
| 1974 | Play for Today | Blake | Episode: "Schmoedipus" |
| 1975 | On the Move | Alf | 2 episodes |
| 1976 | Thriller | Sammy Draper | Episode: "Kill Two Birds"/"Cry Terror" |
| 1976 | The Crezz | Detective Sergeant Marble | Episode: "A Flash of Inspiration" |
| 1977 | Van der Valk | Johnny Palmer | Episode: "Dead on Arrival" |
| 1977 | 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 | Television film |
| 1985 | The Dunera Boys | Morrie Mendellsohn | 2 episodes |
| 1994 | The Changeling | De Flores | Television film |
| 1994 | World War II: When Lions Roared | Winston Churchill | 2 episodes |
| 1995–1999 | The Forgotten Toys | Teddy | Voice 26 episodes |
| 1996 | Tales from the Crypt | Redmond | Episode: "Fatal Caper" Also director[45] |
| 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 |
| 2000 | Don Quixote | Sancho Panza | Television film - TNT |
| 2001 | The Lost World | Professor George Challenger | Television film - BBC |
| 2003 | Frasier | Coach Fuller | Episode: "Trophy Girlfriend" |
| 2003 | The Good Pope: Pope John XXIII | Angelo Roncalli/Pope John XXIII | Television film |
| 2006 | The Wind in the Willows | Badger | Television film |
| 2008 | The Englishman's Boy | Damon Ira Chance | 2 episodes |
| 2008 | Pinocchio | Geppetto | 2 episodes |
| 2008 | 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
edit- ^ Anderson, John (30 April 2014). "Bob Hoskins, Actor Who Combined Charm and Menace, Dies at 71". The New York Times. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
- ^ Gilbey, Ryan (30 April 2014). "Bob Hoskins obituary". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
- ^ Anderson, John (30 April 2014). "Bob Hoskins, Actor Who Combined Charm and Menace, Dies at 71". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
- ^ "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. 30 April 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.
- ^ "Performance legend Ken Campbell talks". Theatre Voice.
- ^ Clive Barnes (17 August 1974). "London Theater: Classics and Sexism". The New York Times.
- ^ "Production of The Iceman Cometh". Theatricalia.
- ^ "Actor Bob Hoskins: 1942–2014". USA Today.
- ^ Gray, Anita (5 May 2014). "Hoskins the hero". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ^ "On the Move (TV Series)". BFI Film & TV database. Archived from the original on 20 January 2010. 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.
- ^ Fill, Chris (2002). Marketing Communications: Contexts, Strategies, and Applications. Financial Times Prentice Hall. p. 516. ISBN 0273655000.
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. Archived from the original on 8 April 2019. 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. Archived from the original on 30 October 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
- ^ "Bob Hoskins interview: 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit?'". Danmarks Radio. 13 August 2012. Archived from the original on 30 October 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2018 – via YouTube.
- Cartoon Hangover (29 December 2015). "107 Facts About Who Framed Roger Rabbit". YouTube. Archived from the original on 30 October 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2017. - ^ Barrineau, Trey (30 April 2014). "Three times Bob Hoskins played an American better than an American". USA Today.
- ^ "Bob Hoskins paid not to play Capone". Metro. 19 March 2009. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
- ^ "'Fresh Air' Remembers British Actor Bob Hoskins". NPR. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
- ^ "Bob Hoskins: 'The Method? Living it out? Cobblers!'". The Guardian. 2 August 2007. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
- ^ Greenstreet, Rosanna (17 June 2011). "Q&A: Bob Hoskins". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
- ^ "Watch Jamie T's "Sheila" Video". The Lefort Report. 20 August 2013. 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.
- ^ 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 Dead: Wife Linda Banwell Credited With Getting 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' Actor Sober [PHOTO]". International Business Times. 30 April 2014.
- ^ Walker, Tim (21 April 2010). Eden, Richard (ed.). "Bob Hoskins: It's the long goodbye for Gordon Brown". The Daily Telegraph.
- ^ a b Greenstreet, Rosanna (17 June 2011). "Q&A: Bob Hoskins". The Guardian.
- ^ "Bob Hoskins to retire after Parkinson's diagnosis". BBC News. 9 August 2012. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
- ^ "Bob Hoskins dies of pneumonia aged 71". BBC News. 30 April 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
- ^ "Bob Hoskins tributes: 'a true gentleman'". The Daily Telegraph. 30 April 2014. Archived from the original on 30 April 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
- ^ Cochran, Jason. "Highgate Cemetery: Coffins, Catacombs, and Celebrities in London's Creepy Necropolis". Frommers. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "411MANIA". A Bloody Good Time: Tales From the Crypt Season Seven Retrospective (Part 1). Archived from the original on 11 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
Bibliography
edit- Moline, Karen (1988). Bob Hoskins: An Unlikely Hero. Sidgwick & Jackson. p. 213. ISBN 978-0283995088.
External links
edit
- Bob Hoskins at IMDb