Dame Helen Mirren has paid tribute to her big-screen “brother” Bob Hoskins, who has died aged 71.
The actor, whose career included starring roles in Mona Lisa, Who Framed Roger Rabbit and opposite Dame Helen in the classic London gangland thriller The Long Good Friday, died from pneumonia.
His agent, Lindy King, released a statement from his family saying he died in hospital on Tuesday night.
His wife, Linda, and children, Alex, Sarah, Rosa and Jack, said: “We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Bob.”
The star, who landed a best actor Oscar nomination for Mona Lisa, retired from screen work in 2012 after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, saying he had enjoyed “a wonderful career”.
Dame Helen, who also appeared in Last Orders opposite Hoskins, said: “Bob was a great actor and an even greater man. Funny, loyal, instinctive, hard-working, with that inimitable energy that 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 unegotistic. He was never sexist, when many around at that time were. I had the honour of watching the creation of one of the most memorable characters of British film.”
Hoskins, who was born in Suffolk after his mother was evacuated from the capital, grew up in north London and left school at the age of 15 to work in a series of odd jobs.
He claimed he got his big break by accident after being mistakenly called for a theatre audition, but he proved a natural and stage success led him into TV and small film parts.
His breakthrough role came in Dennis Potter’s 1978 series Pennies From Heaven in which he played lovelorn sheet music salesman Arthur Parker.
Among those paying tribute were Stephen Fry who tweeted: “Oh no, Bob Hoskins. Gone? That’s awful news. The Long Good Friday one of the best British movies of the modern era. A marvellous man.”
Fellow Tinseltown legend Samuel L. Jackson spoke of his sadness at the news, saying: “Truly saddened by the passing of Bob Hoskins! A truly Gigantic talent & a Gentleman. R.I.P.”