British actor Bob Hoskins, who is best known today for playing Detective Eddie Valiant in Robert Zemeckis’ Who Framed Roger Rabbit, has died. He was 71 years old.
The news was confirmed by his agent. He died on Tuesday in a hospital after a battle with pneumonia, reports The BBC.
“We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Bob,” Hoskins’ family said in a statement. “Bob died peacefully at hospital last night surrounded by family, following a bout of pneumonia. We ask that you respect our privacy during this time and thank you for your messages of love and support.”
In August 2012, Hoskins announced that he would no longer be making films after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.
The beloved British actor began his career in the late 1960s, but soon earned larger roles in films. The 1980 crime drama The Long Good Friday is considered his breakthrough role and he later earned a Best Actor Oscar nomination for 1986’s Mona Lisa. He did take home a Golden Globe and BAFTA award for the film.
However, he will likely go down in film history as the best actor who ever had to act alongside cartoon characters for an entire film. He acted alongside the animated Roger Rabbit in Who Framed Roger Rabbit in 1988, a film that reinvigorated interest in animation.
Other credits include Terry Gilliam’s Brazil and Steven Spielberg’s Hook. He most recently appeared in Made in Dagenham and his last role came in 2012’s Snow White and the Huntsman.