Bob Hoskins with daughter Rosa Hoskins
he daughter of Bob Hoskins has released a touching list of life lessons he
taught his "devastated" family before he died.
The actor died
of pneumonia aged 71 on Wednesday with his family by his side in
hospital. Hoskins had retired from acting two years ago after being
diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, passed away in hospital with his family
by his side.
His youngest daughter Rosa has now released a moving tribute to him,
disclosing his final words of advice: to love, laugh and be kind.
The Oscar-nominated actor was known for his devotion to his family, with
former co-stars paying tribute to his generosity and protective instincts
over young stars.
He will be remembered for his roles in The Long Good Friday, Mona Lisa and Who
Framed Roger Rabbit, and made more than 80 films in his long career.
His family released a statement confirming he died “peacefully”, as they admitted the loss had left them “broken-hearted”.
His wife of 30 years, Linda, and children Alex, Sarah, Rosa and Jack said: "We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Bob.
"Bob died peacefully at hospital last night surrounded by family, following a bout of pneumonia.
"We ask that you respect our privacy during this time and thank you for your messages of love and support."
Miss Hoskins, who works as a fashion writer and actress, has now published a moving blog post entitled “11 lessons from my Dad”.
Explaining the advice had been “tailor-made” for her, she added: “They are his words; the words spoken so often to encourage, comfort and reassure.”
Hoskins' words of wisdom include instructions to “laugh long and loud”, to “be yourself” and to “never, ever, ever, ever give up.”
He also told his family to appreciate beauty, to be “generous and kind, because you can’t take it with you”, and to “love with all your heart”.
“In the end, love is the only thing that matters,” he had said.
His daughter’s tribute was echoed by words from his friends and colleagues.
Dame Judi Dench, who starred opposite Hoskins in Mrs Henderson Presents, said she was “so very sorry” to hear of his death, while Dame Helen Mirren paid tribute to a “great actor and even greater man”.
Dame Helen, who appeared in Last Orders opposite Hoskins and likened him to a “brother”, said: "I personally will miss him very much, London will miss one of her best and most loving sons, and Britain will miss a man to be proud of."
Kate Hardie, who played Cathy in the 1986 film Mona Lisa aged just 17, also disclosed how the actor had protected her from being exploited as a teenager.
Now 45, she said she had been “very vulnerable” due to the subject matter of the film, but that Hoskins had stayed on set to chaperone her even on his time off.
Samuel L Jackson called Hoskins a “truly gigantic talent and a gentleman” while Stephen Fry praised him as a “marvellous man” and a spokesman for Bafta said they were "deeply saddened" to hear of his death.
Ed Vaizey, culture minister, said: “The British film industry has lost one of its true greats."
Hoskins, who started his working life with a series of odd jobs as a porter, lorry driver and window cleaner, used to claim he got his big break by accident after being mistaken for his friend while accompanying him to a theatre audition.
His breakthrough role came in Dennis Potter's 1978 series Pennies From Heaven in which he played the lovelorn sheet music salesman Arthur Parker.
His portrayal of doomed London gangster Harold Shand in The Long Good Friday, which co-starred Helen Mirren, made him a film star and he followed it with stand-out roles in Mona Lisa and The Cotton Club.
More recently, he played a father figure to the women activists fighting for their rights at the Ford car plant in the British hit film Made In Dagenham, which also featured rising star Sally Hawkins.
His family released a statement confirming he died “peacefully”, as they admitted the loss had left them “broken-hearted”.
His wife of 30 years, Linda, and children Alex, Sarah, Rosa and Jack said: "We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Bob.
"Bob died peacefully at hospital last night surrounded by family, following a bout of pneumonia.
"We ask that you respect our privacy during this time and thank you for your messages of love and support."
Miss Hoskins, who works as a fashion writer and actress, has now published a moving blog post entitled “11 lessons from my Dad”.
Explaining the advice had been “tailor-made” for her, she added: “They are his words; the words spoken so often to encourage, comfort and reassure.”
Hoskins' words of wisdom include instructions to “laugh long and loud”, to “be yourself” and to “never, ever, ever, ever give up.”
He also told his family to appreciate beauty, to be “generous and kind, because you can’t take it with you”, and to “love with all your heart”.
“In the end, love is the only thing that matters,” he had said.
His daughter’s tribute was echoed by words from his friends and colleagues.
Dame Judi Dench, who starred opposite Hoskins in Mrs Henderson Presents, said she was “so very sorry” to hear of his death, while Dame Helen Mirren paid tribute to a “great actor and even greater man”.
Dame Helen, who appeared in Last Orders opposite Hoskins and likened him to a “brother”, said: "I personally will miss him very much, London will miss one of her best and most loving sons, and Britain will miss a man to be proud of."
Kate Hardie, who played Cathy in the 1986 film Mona Lisa aged just 17, also disclosed how the actor had protected her from being exploited as a teenager.
Now 45, she said she had been “very vulnerable” due to the subject matter of the film, but that Hoskins had stayed on set to chaperone her even on his time off.
Samuel L Jackson called Hoskins a “truly gigantic talent and a gentleman” while Stephen Fry praised him as a “marvellous man” and a spokesman for Bafta said they were "deeply saddened" to hear of his death.
Ed Vaizey, culture minister, said: “The British film industry has lost one of its true greats."
Hoskins, who started his working life with a series of odd jobs as a porter, lorry driver and window cleaner, used to claim he got his big break by accident after being mistaken for his friend while accompanying him to a theatre audition.
His breakthrough role came in Dennis Potter's 1978 series Pennies From Heaven in which he played the lovelorn sheet music salesman Arthur Parker.
His portrayal of doomed London gangster Harold Shand in The Long Good Friday, which co-starred Helen Mirren, made him a film star and he followed it with stand-out roles in Mona Lisa and The Cotton Club.
More recently, he played a father figure to the women activists fighting for their rights at the Ford car plant in the British hit film Made In Dagenham, which also featured rising star Sally Hawkins.
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