Bob Hoskins: Death of a ‘plebeian’

A couple of days ago, we read about the demise of Robert ‘Bob’ William Hoskins Jr., at the age of 71. Here is a small tribute to the British actor, who won a Bafta, was Oscar-nominated in 1987 for playing the romantic small-time hood in the crime drama, Mona Lisa (1986), and is fondly remembered for his roles in The Long Good Friday and Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

5’6”, barrel-chested and owner of a plebeian persona, Bob was born on 26 October 1942, in Suffolk, England, and raised in the Cockney section of London. His father Robert William Hoskins Sr. was a book-keeper, and mother, Elsie Lillian (Hopkins), a cook and nursery school aide. Dropping out of Stroud Green School at the age of 15, he did several odd-jobs, including night-club bouncer, chimney-sweep, fruit-picker in a kibbutz in Israel and fire-eater in a circus. Later, he trained in accountancy, but found the profession too boring, so left the education incomplete. Next, he tried his hand at painting, sculpting and poetry.

Accidently stumbling into a drama audition, he got selected and acted in plays produced by the National Theatre, alongside such greats as Sir John Gielgud. Film roles came easily, first of the tough guy kind, and then more complex character roles. His first two films were Up the Front (1972) and National Health (1973). Two other significant films followed: Zulu Dawn (1979) and The Long Good Friday (1980). Gifted with the ability to imitate accents, he did just that, in films like Cotton Club (1984), Sweet Liberty (1986) and Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988). Raggedy Rawney (1989) was the first film he directed. He also acted in Hook (1981) and Nixon (1995, Bob played J. Edgar Hoover). In 1996, he directed Rainbow. Twenty for Seven (1996) and Felicia’s Journey (1999) brought him acting awards. More awards came for Last Orders (2001), Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005) and Made in Dagenham (2010). His last film role was in Snow White and the Huntsman (2012), wherein he played one of the dwarves. That year he announced that he had contracted Parkinson’s disease, and would not be acting any more. Death was caused by pneumonia.

Hoskins married twice: Jane Livesey (1970) and Linda Banwell (1984). He has one son and one daughter from each wife.

Sir Michael Caine, who appeared with Hoskins in the films Sweet Liberty and Last Orders, remembered him as "one of the nicest and best actors I have ever worked with".

Robert Zemeckis, the director of Who Framed Roger Rabbit, released a statement praising Hoskins for bringing "enjoyment to film audiences worldwide. As for his performance in Roger Rabbit, for all the special effects and technical wizardry, it was Bob's honesty and the truth of his performance that made the animated characters believable, and that was a testament to his real talent."

Dame Helen Mirren, who played his wife in The Long Good Friday, also paid tribute, describing him as "a great actor and an even greater man" whose "inimitable energy... seemed like a spectacular firework rocket just as it takes off. When I worked with him on his iconic film The Long Good Friday, he was supportive and un-egotistic," she went on. "I had the honour of watching the creation of one of the most memorable characters of British film."

On learning about Hoskins death, British actor and writer, Stephen Fry said, "That's awful news. A marvellous man."