Robert William Hoskins: A Pioneering Actor

Robert William Hoskins: A Pioneering Actor

Early Life and Career Beginnings:

• Birth: Born on October 26, 1942, in Bury St Edmunds, England.
• Heritage: Diverse background, with one grandmother being Romani.
• Education: Left school at 15 due to dyslexia, faced challenges labeled as "stupid."
• Jobs: Worked various jobs, including porter, lorry driver, plumber, and window cleaner.
• Adventurous Years: Spent time on a kibbutz in Israel and tended to camels in Syria, enriching his life experiences.

Entrance to Acting:

• Debut: Started acting in 1968 at the Victoria Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent.
• Impromptu Audition: Auditioned at Unity Theatre, London, becoming the understudy for Roger Frost.
• Ken Campbell Roadshow: Joined Bolton's Octagon Theatre outreach troupe, later evolving into the Ken Campbell Roadshow.

Theater Highlights:

• Pygmalion (1974): Portrayed Alfred Doolittle in the West End production alongside Diana Rigg.
• The Iceman Cometh (1976): Played Rocky the bartender at the Royal Shakespeare Company's rendition.
• The Duchess of Malfi (1981): Starred with Helen Mirren at the Royal Exchange Theatre and London Roundhouse.

Television Career:

• On the Move (1975–1976): Portrayed Alf Hunt, a removal man struggling with literacy.
• Pennies from Heaven (1978): Acclaimed role as Arthur Parker in Dennis Potter's series.
• Othello (1981): Played Iago opposite Anthony Hopkins in BBC Television Shakespeare production.
• Commercials: Voiced commercials for Weetabix, British Gas, and British Telecom.

Film Success and Awards:

• Breakthrough Film Roles: "The Long Good Friday" (1980), "Mona Lisa" (1986), "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" (1988), and "Mermaids" (1990).
• International Acclaim: Awarded Best Actor at Cannes, BAFTA, Golden Globe, and Academy Award nomination for "Mona Lisa."
• Directorial Ventures: Directed "The Raggedy Rawney" (1988) and "Rainbow" (1996).

Versatility in Roles:

• American Characters: Successfully portrayed American roles, praised for adopting an authentic accent.
• Memorable Roles: Eddie Valiant in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," Owney Madden in "The Cotton Club," Gus Klein in "Shattered," J. Edgar Hoover in "Nixon," and Eddie Mannix in "Hollywoodland."

Mixed Experiences:

• Super Mario Bros. (1993): Labeled it as the "worst thing I ever did," endured injuries, coped with boredom through alcohol.

Later Career and Recognition:

• Music Video: Appeared in Jamie T's music video for "Sheila" (2007).
• Television Return: Featured in Jimmy McGovern's drama serial "The Street" (2009), earning an Emmy.
• Retirement: Announced retirement in 2012 due to Parkinson's disease diagnosis in 2011.

Legacy:

• Impactful Career: Paved the way with intense portrayals of "tough guy" characters.
• Awards: Received numerous awards, including a Cannes Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe, and Canadian Genie Award.

Later Years and Passing:

• Retirement: Retired in 2012 due to Parkinson's disease.
• Death: Passed away on April 29, 2014.

Robert William Hoskins left an indelible mark on the film industry, with his powerful portrayals and versatility earning him acclaim and numerous awards. From his early struggles with dyslexia to his adventurous years and iconic roles, his journey stands as a testament to perseverance and talent in the world of acting.

References;

1.  Anderson, John (30 April 2014). "Bob Hoskins, Actor Who Combined Charm and Menace, Dies at 71". The New York Times. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
2. Gilbey, Ryan (30 April 2014). "Bob Hoskins obituary". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
3. Anderson, John (30 April 2014). "Bob Hoskins, Actor Who Combined Charm and Menace, Dies at 71". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
4. "Bob Hoskins Obituary". The Herald. Glasgow. 30 April 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
5. - Hattenstone, Simon (2 August 2007). "The Method? Living it out? Cobblers!". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
6. Moline 1988, p. 201. Confirmed on Desert Island Discs in November 1988
7. "Bob Hoskins - obituary". The Daily Telegraph. 30 April 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2018.