Bob Hoskins – Cause of Death, Net Worth, Movies and TV Shows

Bob Hoskins, the English actor and film director known for his powerful portrayals of tough yet vulnerable characters, died in April 2014 at the age of 71. His career spanned more than four decades and included iconic roles in The Long Good Friday, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and Hook. His death followed a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, which led to his retirement two years earlier.

Hoskins was born Robert William Hoskins on 26 October 1942 in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. He left school at 15 and worked as a truck driver and window cleaner before stumbling into acting in 1968. His natural talent quickly set him apart, and he became one of Britain’s most respected performers.

Despite his gruff exterior and modest stature, Hoskins commanded the screen with an emotional depth that critics often compared to the best of Hollywood and British cinema. He remains a beloved figure in film history.

What caused Bob Hoskins’ death?

Key insights about Bob Hoskins

• He was renowned for blending toughness with vulnerability, a quality praised in both gangster films (The Long Good Friday) and family comedies (Who Framed Roger Rabbit).
• He retired from acting in 2012 due to Parkinson’s disease and died two years later from pneumonia.
• His net worth at death was modest compared to Hollywood peers, with no confirmed public figure but estimates around $5 million.
• His height (5 ft 6 in / 1.68 m) often contrasted with his powerful on-screen presence.
• He was known for a chameleon-like ability to portray world leaders, gangsters, and working-class toughs.
• Colleagues described him as an actor with “an almost American approach” despite being British.
• Parkinson’s disease ended a career that might have continued for another decade.

Snap facts about Bob Hoskins

What are Bob Hoskins’ most famous movies and TV shows?

Bob Hoskins appeared in over 100 credited film and television roles. His breakthrough came in 1980 with The Long Good Friday, where he played the gangster Harold Shand. That performance earned him a BAFTA nomination and established him as a leading man.

His international fame skyrocketed with Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), a landmark film that combined live action with animation. Hoskins played Eddie Valiant, a down-on-his-luck detective, and received a Golden Globe nomination for his work.

What role did Bob Hoskins play in Hook?

In Steven Spielberg’s Hook (1991), Hoskins portrayed Mr. Dawkins Jr., a.k.a. Smee, the bumbling first mate to Captain Hook. The role showcased his comedic timing and warmth, endearing him to a new generation of viewers.

Which TV shows did Bob Hoskins appear in?

Hoskins also excelled on television. He won an International Emmy Award for Best Actor for his role in the BBC drama The Street (2009). Other notable TV work includes Pennies from Heaven (1978), Noriega: God’s Favorite (2000), and The Good Pope: Pope John XXIII (2003).

What were Bob Hoskins’ net worth and height?

Net worth

No official net worth figure has ever been confirmed for Bob Hoskins. He lived a relatively modest life and was not known as a high-earning celebrity. Estimates from various sources range between $2 million and $10 million, with $5 million being the most commonly cited figure. However, no public probate record is available to verify this.

Height

Bob Hoskins stood 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m) tall according to multiple sources. He once self-deprecatingly described himself as “5 foot six and cubic.” His stature often surprised audiences accustomed to his larger-than-life screen presence.

Key moments in Bob Hoskins’ life and career

1. 1942 – Born on 26 October in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.
2. 1967 – Married Jane Livesey; begins acting in theatre and bit TV roles.
3. 1972 – First major TV role in On the Move.
4. 1980 – Breakthrough performance in The Long Good Friday as Harold Shand.
5. 1986 – Wins Best Actor at Cannes, BAFTA, and Golden Globe for Mona Lisa.
6. 1988 – Worldwide fame as Eddie Valiant in Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
7. 1991 – Plays Smee in Steven Spielberg’s Hook.
8. 2011 – Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
9. 2012 – Retires from acting due to Parkinson’s.
10. 2014 – Dies on 29 April from pneumonia at age 71.

What is known and what remains unclear about Bob Hoskins?

What was Bob Hoskins’ legacy and impact?

Bob Hoskins’ career reflected a unique blend of gritty realism and comedic warmth. He often played tough working-class characters but brought emotional depth that critics lauded. His legacy is defined by iconic roles in British crime dramas and Hollywood blockbusters alike.

The onset of Parkinson’s disease cut short a career that might have continued for another decade. His work in Who Framed Roger Rabbit pioneered the union of live-action and animation, influencing a generation of filmmakers. Hoskins inspired many British actors and remains a beloved figure in film history.

What do sources say about Bob Hoskins?

John Mackenzie, director of The Long Good Friday, described him as “an actor from the British tradition but with an almost American approach.” That quote appears on IMDB.

He was an actor from the British tradition but with an almost American approach.

John Mackenzie, director

A tribute on Facebook from Classic TV Moments noted: “Bob Hoskins was one of those rare actors who felt completely real – down-to-earth.”

Bob Hoskins was one of those rare actors who felt completely real – down-to-earth.

Classic TV Moments (Facebook)

The BBC News obituary reported that “Hoskins, who had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2011, died of pneumonia.”

Hoskins, who had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2011, died of pneumonia.

BBC News obituary

In summary

Bob Hoskins left behind a remarkable body of work that continues to entertain and move audiences. His story is one of talent, perseverance, and quiet dignity in the face of illness. For those interested in the lives of other iconic screen figures, read the Tony Curtis – Biography, Cause of Death, and Famous Movies or the Joseph Fiennes – Biography, Career and Family.

Frequently asked questions about Bob Hoskins