Bob Hoskins

Bob Hoskins was a British actor best known for films such as The Long Good Friday, Mona Lisa, Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Hook, as well as numerous television series and miniseries in the U.K. and U.S.

Born in Bury St. Edmunds, England, Hoskins grew up in London. He left school at 15 and worked a variety of jobs, including truck driver and window cleaner, before discovering acting. In 1968, he went with a friend to an acting audition and was mistaken for a candidate. He read for a part and was offered the lead, sparking his career.

He got his start on the stage and in the early 1970s he began appearing on British television. His numerous series and miniseries included Villains, Crown Court, Thick as Thieves, The Street, Pennies from Heaven, Flickers and Big Jim and The Figaro Club.

A breakthrough performance as a London gangster in the 1980 film The Long Good Friday led to many other opportunities on the big screen, including The Cotton Club, Brazil, Mona Lisa, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Mermaids, Hook, Felicia's Journey, Nixon, Twenty Four Seven, Cousin Bette, Hollywoodland, Mrs. Henderson Presents, Made in Dagenham and Snow White and the Huntsman.

In addition, he worked frequently in American television, with a long list of series, minseries and telefilms to his credit. They included World War II: When Lions Roared, David Copperfield, Noriega: God's Favorite, Don Quixote, The Good Pope: Pope John XXIII and The Wind in the Willows.

He died April 29, 2014. He was 71.