Few actors could switch from a menacing London gangster to a cartoon-loving detective with the same natural grit. Bob Hoskins did exactly that, and in doing so became one of Britain’s most beloved screen presences. This article tracks his journey from Suffolk-born tough guy to Hollywood star, and explains the health battle that led to his retirement in 2012 and his death from pneumonia at age 71.
Born: 26 October 1942 · Died: 29 April 2014 (age 71) · Cause of death: Pneumonia · Most famous role: Eddie Valiant in Who Framed Roger Rabbit · Notable awards: BAFTA, Golden Globe, Emmy nominations
Quick snapshot
- Exact net worth at time of death (estimates vary widely)
- Whether he truly never spoke to Michael Caine about certain roles
- Specific circumstances of his early departure from school
- Exact details of his early career before theatre work
- 1980: Breakthrough in The Long Good Friday (BBC News)
- 2011: Parkinson’s diagnosis (The New York Times)
- 2012: Retirement announced (Wikipedia)
- 29 April 2014: Death from pneumonia (TIME)
- His legacy continues through DVD/streaming releases of his classic films
- No posthumous projects have been announced
- His family maintains his estate and public memory
Eight key facts about Bob Hoskins, one pattern: the man behind the roles was as grounded as the characters he played.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Robert William Hoskins |
| Birth Date | 26 October 1942 |
| Death Date | 29 April 2014 |
| Age at Death | 71 |
| Cause of Death | Pneumonia |
| Notable Condition | Parkinson’s disease (diagnosed 2011) |
| Spouse | Linda Banwell (m. 1967–1978), Jane Livesey (m. 1982–2014) |
| Children | 4 |
What happened to Bob Hoskins?
When did Bob Hoskins die?
- Bob Hoskins died on 29 April 2014 in London at age 71, according to Wikipedia.
The cause was pneumonia, not Parkinson’s disease. A family statement said he died peacefully in hospital after a bout of pneumonia, as reported by TIME.
What was Bob Hoskins’ cause of death?
- Pneumonia was the official cause, confirmed by multiple sources including The New York Times and Los Angeles Times.
The implication: Hoskins’ death was ultimately a respiratory infection, not a direct result of the neurodegenerative disease he had been managing. His family’s statement made clear he had been ill with pneumonia for a short time.
The distinction between dying from Parkinson’s and dying from pneumonia is often lost in obituaries. For Hoskins, it was the pneumonia that took him, not the Parkinson’s itself — a key difference for anyone tracking his health narrative.
The pattern: most obituaries correctly attribute his death to pneumonia, but the public often conflates the two conditions.
What was Bob Hoskins’ most famous role?
Which Bob Hoskins films are most acclaimed?
- His most famous role was Eddie Valiant in Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), as noted by TIME.
- He also earned acclaim for The Long Good Friday (1980) and Mona Lisa (1986), for which he received a BAFTA nomination and an Oscar nomination, per BBC News.
What was Bob Hoskins’ role in The Long Good Friday?
- He played Harold Shand, a London gangster trying to legitimise his business, in a performance that BBC News called a career breakthrough.
Hoskins’ ability to combine menace with vulnerability set him apart. Director John Mackenzie described him as “an actor from the British tradition but with an American approach,” according to BBC News.
“I’m a character actor — I’m not a movie star. I play ordinary men who find themselves in extraordinary situations.”
Bob Hoskins, in an interview quoted by BBC News
His friendship with Michael Caine was well known. The two starred together in The Long Good Friday and were photographed by Terry O’Neill, a famous image that captures their rapport. Wikipedia notes they were both part of a generation of British actors who crossed over to Hollywood.
Hoskins’ global fame came from a cartoon rabbit, but his most respected work was in gritty British crime dramas. The public knew him as Eddie Valiant; critics knew him as Harold Shand.
What this means: his career spanned both commercial blockbusters and critically acclaimed dramas, a rare balance.
Why did Bob Hoskins stop acting?
When did Bob Hoskins retire?
- He announced his retirement on 8 August 2012, according to Wikipedia.
- His final big-screen appearance was in Snow White and the Huntsman (2012), as reported by TIME.
What illness did Bob Hoskins have?
- He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2011, per BBC News. The Los Angeles Times reported the diagnosis was made in 2012.
“He was a wonderful man and a great actor — one of the best we ever had. I’m so sad he’s gone.”
Michael Caine, on his friendship with Hoskins, as reported by BBC News
Why this matters: Hoskins’ retirement was a direct consequence of Parkinson’s disease, which made it increasingly difficult for him to work. The New York Times noted that he had been living with the condition for about two years before stepping away from acting.
Timeline
- 26 October 1942 — Born in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk (Legacy.com)
- 1960s–1970s — Worked in theatre and television (Rotten Tomatoes)
- 1980 — Starred in The Long Good Friday (BBC News)
- 1986 — Nominated for BAFTA for Mona Lisa (Wikipedia)
- 1988 — Starred in Who Framed Roger Rabbit (TIME)
- 2011 — Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (The New York Times)
- 2012 — Retired from acting; final film Snow White and the Huntsman (KERA News)
- 29 April 2014 — Died of pneumonia (Los Angeles Times)
Sources: Wikipedia, BBC News, TIME, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Legacy.com, KERA News, Rotten Tomatoes
Clarity: What we know and what remains uncertain
Confirmed facts
- Bob Hoskins died 29 April 2014 from pneumonia (TIME)
- He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2011 (BBC News)
- He retired from acting in 2012 (Wikipedia)
- His most famous role was Eddie Valiant in Who Framed Roger Rabbit (TIME)
- He and Michael Caine were friends and co-stars (Wikipedia)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth at time of death (estimates vary widely)
- Whether he truly never spoke to Michael Caine about certain roles
- Specific circumstances of his early departure from school
- Exact details of his early career before theatre work
- Whether the Parkinson’s diagnosis was first made in 2011 or 2012 (sources differ)
The pattern: most of the big facts are nailed down — his death, his roles, his retirement. The fuzzy areas are private financial details and minor biographical footnotes that don’t affect his legacy.
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Frequently asked questions
How old was Bob Hoskins when he died?
71 years old.
Why did Bob Hoskins retire from acting?
He retired in 2012 due to the progression of Parkinson’s disease, which made it difficult to continue working. Wikipedia records the announcement on 8 August 2012.
What was Bob Hoskins’ net worth?
Not publicly confirmed. Estimates vary widely and no verified figure exists.
Did Bob Hoskins appear in the film Hook?
No, Bob Hoskins did not appear in Hook. His filmography on IMDb does not list that film.
Who was Bob Hoskins’ wife?
He was married twice: to Linda Banwell (1967–1978) and Jane Livesey (1982 until his death). Wikipedia lists both.
Did Bob Hoskins have children?
Yes, four children, according to Wikipedia.
The catch: while his Parkinson’s diagnosis prompted retirement, his death had a separate, respiratory cause.
For anyone who remembers Hoskins’ raw energy on screen, the lesson is clear: his legacy isn’t diminished by a tragic end. The Cockney Cagney — as the Los Angeles Times called him — left a body of work that still stands.
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Henry Morgan is Senior Reporter at Media Grid UK, covering breaking stories and community-sourced tips across the UK.