Bob Hoskins reveals Parkinson's disease, bows out

[Matilda]

Veteran British actor Bob Hoskins, the star of films including Who Framed Roger Rabbit, says he has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and is retiring from acting.

Hoskins, 69, started his career in the 1970s on British television shows such as Thick as Thieves and Rock Follies of '77 before moving into bigger film roles, such as 1980's The Long Good Friday and 1986's Mona Lisa, for which he earned a best actor Oscar nomination and won a Golden Globe award.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-09/bob-hoskins-reveals-parkison27s-disease2c-bows-out/4186832

I checked his profile on IMDb, and he's been appearing in films since 1972, so I think he qualifies for a mention in the Classic Films Group.

Very sad, because good actors can go on well into their eighties, and sometimes longer. I think John Gielgud was at his best from his seventies into his nineties.

With all the clever things we can do these days, we still can't do anything about pernicious diseases like Parkinsons. It's horrible, and I feel so sorry for him.

[CBHagman]

1. I'm so sorry to hear this.

Here in the United States he certainly made quite a stir, beginning in the 1980s. The last film I saw him in was Made in Dagenham, which I recommend for all you progressive types.

[Matilda]

4. That was a very inspiring film all round.

Hoskins was excellent, and so were the many female performers.

It didn't last very long here, and I was surprised by that. It was well worth the price of admission.

[NRaleighLiberal]

2. One of our favorite things to watch - Dennis Potter's Pennies from Heaven with Hoskins.

[Matilda]

3. That series was a total delight.

I watched about two minutes of the Steve Martin remake before saying "no, thanks". No feeling for the period at all, and no understanding of the real desperation underpinning the character.

And Cheryl Campbell was also a treat - I'd never seen her before, and I've been a fan ever since.

[NRaleighLiberal]

5. of course, The Singing Detective takes the cake....Gambon is remarkable

I'd actually rank that a sliver above Pennies, but both are absolutely mandatory!

[Matilda]

6. I don't think I'd want to try to rank them.

They were both superb examples of all the disciplines coming together perfectly: writing, production, direction, acting.

British television at its very best.

[NRaleighLiberal]

7. I know there are some Potters that never made it to Netflix due to BBC/lawsuit type things....

frustrating, since my Brit friend said they were really good - esp Cold Lazarus and Karaoke...hope I can finally see them some day!

[Matilda]

8. "Cold Lazarus" was a follow-up to "Karaoke".

They were very different to his earlier works; much more cerebral. I wasn't able to feel them as I did with the early ones, but both had excellent casts (and I've always liked Albert Finney) and as an intellectual exercise, they were extremely interesting, but for me, a little detached from emotion. Possibly they were a reflection of where Dennis Potter was at the time, approaching his own end.

One thing that has always puzzled me is that not one of his television series has ever been repeated here. Obviously it's something contractual, but I don't know the reason. A great shame - "Lipstick On your Collar" was another that would bear repeating, but it looks as if we will never see any of them again, although they were all well received when they were first screened.

[WeAllMakeMistakes]

9. I don't whether I surprised or upset at first

I was in Majorca when I heard this news. Apparently, he only found out last year but waited before telling the media. I think it's great he didn't bow to the media attention - I would hate to have all my medical details revealed to the public, even if I was famous.

I only really watched two films of his: Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Made In Dagenham. To me he felt like an unknown British actor, but then I obviously knew there was more of him than just this. It was then I found out that he was in quite a few other films, especially The Long Good Friday. I looked up his profile on Rotten Tomatoes, and he seemed to do very well for what he did.

I didn't know what to think when I found out. A part of me felt quite selfish, because he wasn't going to do any more films, but it doesn't really matter now. He made a name for himself, and that's what I care about.