Hollywood is mourning the loss today of British actor Bob Hoskins, who died Tuesday of pneumonia at age 71.
Helen Mirren, who worked beside Hoskins in the British gangster film “The Long Good Friday,” called her co-star “a great actor and an even greater man.”
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“Funny, loyal, instinctive, hard working, with that inimitable energy that seemed like a spectacular firework rocket just as it takes off,” the Oscar-winning British actress said in a statement. “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.”
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“X-Men” star Hugh Jackman, who took the role that was originally written for Hoskins, called the actor “a true great!”
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“A true gent and a remarkable talent whom I had the privilege of working with,” actor Cary Elwes added.
A huge loss today. Bob Hoskins. One of my great inspirations was his performance in Mona Lisa, particularly the last scene. A true great!!
— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) April 30, 2014
My time with the talented Bob Hoskins was short but incredibly sweet. My heart goes out to his family – He will be dearly missed.
— Charlize Theron (@CharlizeAfrica) April 30, 2014
I can’t believe we have lost Bob Hoskins. I totally adored him and even wrote a play for him that got lost in a BBC strike. Oh dear.
— Eric Idle (@EricIdle) April 30, 2014
Sad to hear of Bob Hoskins’ passing.
— Elijah Wood (@woodelijah) April 30, 2014
RIP #BobHoskins. A true gent and a remarkable talent whom I had the privilege of working with. pic.twitter.com/0gCm5xI27Z
— Cary Elwes (@Cary_Elwes) April 30, 2014
Truly saddened by the passing of Bob Hoskins! A truly Gigantic talent & a Gentleman. R.I.P.
— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) April 30, 2014
Terribly sad news about Bob Hoskins. A pleasure to have shared the screen with you mate. An Actors actor and a gentleman to boot. RIP
— Nick Frost (@nickjfrost) April 30, 2014
If you want to see Bob in full flow watch The Long Good Friday. A tour de force. The long shot at the end of Bob in the taxi is amazing.
— Nick Frost (@nickjfrost) April 30, 2014
Agent: Actor Bob Hoskins dies at 71 http://t.co/zqRbqG2lvS Oh man, what a terrible loss. A great guy and a superb artist.
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) April 30, 2014
In reverence to one-of-a-kind actor, watch MONA LISA, THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY, and WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT this weekend. #BobHoskins #RIP
— andrew stanton (@andrewstanton) April 30, 2014
I never thought it was possible to become an actor until I saw Pennies From Heaven as a kid. RIP Bob Hoskins, brilliant,inspirational, kind.
— Eddie Marsan (@eddiemarsan) April 30, 2014
Dear #BobHoskins rest in peace! – never worked a more gentle kind and talented actor!
— John Leguizamo (@JohnLeguizamo) April 30, 2014
Bob Hoskins was great. I was lucky to work with him in 2 plays at the Royal Shakespeare Co. A nicer guy you couldn’t find. RIP Bob
– mia farrow (@MiaFarrow) April 30, 2014