British actor Bob Hoskins, known for roles in films such as Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Hook, The Long Good Friday, and Mona Lisa, has died at 71. Hoskins’ publicist stated that he died Wednesday morning due to pneumonia. This news comes two years after the actor announced his retirement from acting due to Parkinson’s disease .
Hoskins was known as an established actor playing gangsters, detectives, and working-class gentlemen, yet the role many gamers remember him for was as Mario in the live-action adaptation Super Mario Bros. While the film was panned and considered a guilty-pleasure to some, Hoskins has quoted in the past that the role was “the worst thing he ever did.” Not only that, stories have circulated that him and co-star John Leguizamo were intoxicated throughout the film’s shooting.
Whatever the case, be it one’s opinion of the Super Mario Bros. movie or the behind-the-scenes activity, Hollywood has lost a true gem of an actor whose range earned him a Golden Globe award and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. Rest in peace, Bob Hoskins. “Trust the fungus.”
