Bob Hoskins (Robert William Hoskins Jr.) is a famous English film, theater and television actor, screenwriter, director and producer. Received a prize at the Cannes Film Festival, the prestigious BAFA, and a Golden Globe. He was nominated for an Oscar for his role in the film Mona Lisa.
Bob Hoskins did not plan to become an actor, but fate decreed otherwise. His starring roles in the films "The Cotton Club", "The Wall", "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" are remembered and loved by audiences all over the world.
Childhood and adolescence
Bob (full name Robert William) was born in England on October 26, 1942. His family at this time lived in the city of Suffolk, where they were evacuated during the war. The boy's father was a driver who later became an accountant. Mom worked as a cook and teacher in a kindergarten.
Bob's creative biography began in his school years, when the boy became interested in literature and theater. The love of books was instilled in him by a teacher of literature at a school that the boy attended in England. Bob failed to complete his studies. The family needed money, so he went to work early.
The young man got a job at a construction site, then worked as a loader, porter, plumber, cleaner and even a fire-eater in a circus. After some time, Bob was able to continue his education and, having decided to choose his father's profession, entered the course of accountants. But soon he had to leave from there.
Theatrical career
Bob often met with his high school friends who were passionate about literature, and one day his friend called Bob to audition, which was arranged at a local theater. The young man decided to help his friend and support him. The theater commission, mistaking the young man for one of the contestants, invited him to perform and read a small play. Everyone liked the performance and unexpectedly for Bob himself, he was invited to work. So Hoskins got into the troupe of the Unity Theater, where he played several roles in performances.
To continue his career, it was necessary to study acting, and Bob entered the school of speech and drama in London. After graduation, the young man plays in many theaters and after a while he already performs on the stage of the National London and Royal Shakespeare Theaters.
Cinema
Bob got into the shooting of his first film at the age of 30. He was offered to play a small role in an army drama. This was followed by a number of offers from film companies, but again for cameo roles. Bob starred in several films, but they do not bring him popularity. However, Hoskins does not leave his career in cinema.
Bob's first success came only a few years later. He got one of the main roles in the crime drama "The Long Good Friday". The film told about the head of the mafia, planning a major deal, but due to strange circumstances and deaths did not take place. The image created by Bob on the screen received recognition not only of the public, but also of film critics. For this role, the actor was nominated for an Academy Award in England, and after it he becomes one of the most famous and popular actors not only in his country, but also in world cinema.
The actor, who has a short stature and a rather dense physique, demonstrated an amazing transformation on the set. He could play both comedic and tragic roles. His talent was appreciated by famous directors with whom Hoskins had a chance to work over the years.
Two years later, after the already held great success in cinema, Bob is invited to shoot the movie "The Wall", based on the famous musical album of the Pink Floyd group. This role also became one of the most significant in his career for the actor.
A year later, Hoskins starred in the film "Honorary Consul" based on the novel by G. Green, with great success embodying the image of Colonel Perez on the screen. The film has also been screened at various festivals and received high acclaim from the public.
The next work that brought the actor worldwide fame was the film "Mona Lisa". In it, Bob played the main role of a chauffeur who had just got out of prison and asked his former boss to help him find a job. So he begins to take the girl from the escort to calls and soon realizes that he is in love with her. For this role, Hoskins received several awards and nominations for Best Actor in an Actor Role. He has won the Golden Globe, Cannes Film Festival, BAFA and Academy Award nominee. His work was noted by critics all over the world, he was rightfully recognized as one of the best actors in world cinema.
After the fame flooded to Hawkins, he began to receive numerous offers from famous producers and directors. He creates a huge variety of characters, playing in comedies, dramas, detective stories and biopic. Among his works are the roles of famous historical characters: Khrushchev, Beria, Hoover.
Having become a popular actor, Hoskins decides to start filming his own films. His directorial debut was the film "Reggie Roney", in which he played the main role himself.
One of Bob's most famous film roles was the role of detective Eddie Valiant in the movie Who Framed Roger Rabbit, which won several Oscars. For the first time in cinema, the image of cartoon characters and living people was combined. The film is based on the video game "Super Mario Bros". The film is set in a fictional area of Los Angeles, where the main characters live in their town of Multown. Live actors were filmed by Robert Zemeckis, and cartoon characters were drawn by Richard Williams. The film became one of the most expensive in those years, but its production costs were fully covered by the box office.
Personal life, family and death
Bob has been married twice. The first wife is Jane Livesey, an American actress with whom they have lived for over 10 years. The family had two children.
The second wife is Linda Banwell, she taught sociology. They met in 1982 and lived together until Hoskins passed away. Linda and Bob also have two children.
Three years before his death, Bob was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He could no longer fully perform on stage and act in films.
In 2012, his acting career was completed. The last work was the role in the film "Snow White and the Huntsman".
In 2014, on April 29, he passed away in a hospital in London. The great artist died from a severe form of pneumonia.
