Bob Hoskins

Bob Hoskins — Life, Career, and Memorable Quotes

Learn about Bob Hoskins (26 October 1942 – 29 April 2014), the British actor known for roles from The Long Good Friday to Who Framed Roger Rabbit, his career journey, acting philosophy, and his enduring legacy.

Introduction

Bob Hoskins was a British actor celebrated for his versatility, intensity, and ability to play “tough guy” characters with depth and humanity. Across a long career spanning stage, television, and film, he delivered iconic performances in The Long Good Friday, Mona Lisa, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Hook, Made in Dagenham, and many more.

He began with humble origins, worked odd jobs, struggled with dyslexia, and later became one of Britain’s most recognizable and respected actors. His life story is one of perseverance, craft, and transformation.

Early Life & Background

• Born: Robert William Hoskins, 26 October 1942, in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England.

• His mother was Elsie (a cook and nursery-school teacher) and his father Robert Hoskins was a bookkeeper and lorry driver.

• One of his grandmothers was of Romani heritage.

• Soon after his birth, his family moved to the Finsbury Park area of London, where he grew up.

• In school, Hoskins struggled: he was labeled “stupid” by teachers due to his dyslexia, and he left school at age 15 with only a single O-Level.

• After leaving school, he took on various odd jobs: porter, lorry driver, plumber’s assistant, window cleaner.

• He spent time abroad: six months on an Israeli kibbutz and two years with Bedouins in Syria tending camels.

These experiences outside formal education perhaps shaped his view of life and character that later informed his acting.

Career & Major Achievements

Rise to Prominence

• Hoskins began acting professionally in 1968 in a theatre production of Romeo and Juliet, playing a servant.

• He performed with touring theatre companies and regional companies before moving into television.

• His break came when he starred in the BBC television serial Pennies from Heaven (1978), which increased his visibility.

• In film, one of his breakthrough roles was as Harold Shand in The Long Good Friday (1980), a London gangster role that became iconic.

• In Mona Lisa (1986), Hoskins played George, an ex-convict. His performance earned him multiple accolades: a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, and a nomination for Academy Award for Best Actor.

• He showed his versatility by joining Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), playing detective Eddie Valiant opposite animated characters — a technical and acting challenge.

• Other notable films include Hook (1991), The Cotton Club, Brazil, Maid in Manhattan, Made in Dagenham (2010), Snow White and the Huntsman (2012), among others.

Later Years & Retirement

• In 2009, Hoskins starred in the British drama serial The Street, earning him an International Emmy Award for Best Actor.

• In August 2012, he announced his retirement from acting, having been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2011.

• He passed away on 29 April 2014 in London from pneumonia.

Acting Style & Philosophy

• Hoskins was often cast as “tough” or working-class characters, but he brought emotional nuances, vulnerability, and depth to them.

• He approached acting with a grounded, instinctive style rather than formal theatrical polish.

• He once criticized his worst film role — Super Mario Bros. — calling it “the worst thing I ever did,” describing the production as a “nightmare.”

• His later-age perspective: he said that at his age, he preferred cameo roles — quick appearances with less burden, but still a chance to do something memorable:

  “When you get to my age, what you want is the cameo. You get paid a lot of money … Everybody treats you like the crown jewels. … if the film turns out to be a load of s---, nobody blames you.”

He seemed to value dignity, craft, and the opportunity to choose roles that meant something rather than doing everything.

Memorable Quotes

Here’s a selection of quotes attributed to Bob Hoskins that reflect his wit, humility, and perspective:

• “Acting is the best job in the world … It’s about as sexy as a bag of Brussels sprouts.”

• “I am fairly rich. Money’s very handy, let’s face it.”

• “I’m a feminist, yes! Very strongly.”

• “One of the things I’ve realised is that I am very simple. My wife asked me once if I loved her. I said: ‘Look love, I’m a simple man. I love you. End of story.’”

• “Actors are just entertainers, even the serious ones. That’s all an actor is.”

• “You imagine, the characters I play? Can you imagine me taking them home to Linda and the kids? My bags would be at the door.”

Across these statements, one sees a character who was self-aware, grounded, sometimes humorous, and candid about the trade-offs of life and art.

Legacy & Influence

• Bob Hoskins remains beloved for his ability to blend toughness with warmth. His performance in The Long Good Friday remains a benchmark in British gangster cinema.

• Mona Lisa stands as one of his crowning achievements both artistically and critically.

• His work in Who Framed Roger Rabbit showed his willingness to push technical and narrative boundaries, acting opposite cartoons as if they were real.

• Despite some career low points, such as Super Mario Bros., Hoskins did not shy away from criticism or reflection on his own work — this honesty adds to his respect among peers and fans.

• Many consider him a model of how character actors can move between genres while maintaining integrity.

Although his passing left a gap, his films continue to be watched, studied, and celebrated.

Lessons from Bob Hoskins’s Journey

1. Perseverance can transcend early obstacles
   Despite dyslexia and a lack of formal schooling, he built a path into acting through grit and opportunity.

2. Take roles seriously, but don’t take yourself too seriously
   He could play rough characters, but he often commented with humor and self-deprecation about his roles and life.

3. Adaptability matters
   He moved from gritty crime dramas to fantasy, animation, period films — versatility kept his career dynamic.

4. Reflect on your work
   He admitted regret about Super Mario Bros., which shows humility and learning even in success.

5. At any age, choice matters
   His later embrace of cameo roles shows that with seniority, one can choose quality over quantity.