Albert Finney of Annie, Erin Brockovich, Skyfall fame dead at 82
Albert Finney, who appeared in movies like Annie and Erin Brockovich, has died at the age of 82 with his Skyfall co-star Daniel Craig leading celebrity tributes for him.
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Albert Finney, the legendary Oscar nominated actor of Tom Jones, Erin Brockovich and Skyfall fame has died at the age of 82.
The Sun reports that Finney passed away yesterday, it was confirmed.
Details of his death have not yet been revealed but in 2011 it was revealed he was fighting kidney cancer.
Born in the Salford village of Pendelton on May 9, 1936, Finney grew up as the son of a successful bookkeeper, attending local schools before gaining a place studying drama at RADA.
At the start of his career he was known as primarily a theatre actor and was frequently cast in William Shakespeare plays.
But before long his versatility and ability to step into any role — no matter what the characters’ age, nationality or background — made him a popular choice for directors as well as co-actors.
His first film appearance was in The Entertainer in 1960, where he appeared alongside Laurence Olivier.
He would make his breakthrough in the same year with the portrayal of a disillusioned factory worker in Karel Reisz’s film version of Saturday Night and Sunday Morning.
In 1963 Finney’s success in Tom Jones led him being voted the ninth most popular box office star of the year.
FIVE OSCAR NOMINATIONS
He was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar for the role but did not win.
It proved to be the first of five unsuccessful attempts, with him being nominated for Murder on the Orient Express in 1974, The Dresser in 1983 and Under the Volcano in 1984.
He was also nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for Erin Brokovich in 2000.
His varied roles included roles as Scrooge and Hercule Poirot and Winston Churchill in The Gathering Storm lent an impressive longevity to his career.
He also famously played the role of Daddy Warbucks in the 1982 hit musical Annie.
His final film credit was in the James Bond film Skyfall in 2012, where he plays the bearded Scottish gamekeeper Kincade.
Director Sam Mendes said he chose Finney for his ability “to move like a cat”.
Finney became a father for the first time at the age of 22 when his ex-wife Jane Wenham gave birth to their son, Simon Finney.
In total he was married three times — to actress Anouk Aimee in 1970 before divorcing eight years later.
He married his current wife, Pene Delmage, in 2006, and they lived together in London until his death.
Though in many ways part of the establishment, Finney remained independent in his craft, refusing to take on an agent or a manager.
He also refused a knighthood and CBE, describing the accolades as “snobbery”.
On Friday afternoon celebrity tributes poured in celebrating the five-time-Oscar-nominated actor as Daniel Craig released a statement about the late actor:
“I’m deeply saddened by the news of Albert Finney’s passing,” he said. “The world has lost a giant. Wherever Albert is now, I hope there are horses and good company.
Other actors and filmmakers paid tribute on Twitter:
I remember seeing SHOOT THE MOON with my Aunt Denise when I was about 10 years old. And then seeing ANNIE a few weeks later with my Mom. Then putting together that the father in both was the same man and thinking - wow, that’s what acting means. Thank you, Albert Finney. ðŸ™ðŸ¾ pic.twitter.com/QyXOY0rKSO
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) February 8, 2019
The old man's still an artist with a Thompson. RIP Albert Finney pic.twitter.com/F83GUJVq9k
— Stephen Colbert (@StephenAtHome) February 8, 2019
Saddened to hear of the passing of the great #AlbertFinney - a truly wonderful performer whom I greatly admired from an early age. Our condolences to his family and friends. RIP pic.twitter.com/jKvcGsiFUE
— Cary Elwes (@Cary_Elwes) February 8, 2019
Having a very bitter sweet memory lane day with the passing of the great Albert Finney -- "Do they teach beauty queens how to apologize? Because you suck at it!" Still makes me smile and I hope you and Ed are laughing your asses off up there. pic.twitter.com/d1Cc22iVJ0
— erin brockovich (@ErinBrockovich) February 8, 2019
Albert Finney was ahead of his time as an actor. Saturday night&Sunday morning was a inspiration for so many actors like myself. In a play I watched his character sitting on a coach while he calmly died during a monologue. It was a small theatre. 5ft away from me simply awestruck pic.twitter.com/FEZIJcK9Ct
— Vincent D'Onofrio (@vincentdonofrio) February 8, 2019
So sad to hear of the passing of Albert Finney . I had the great pleasure of working with him on ‘Annie’ the movie. Who could forget him in Tom Jones .RIP we will miss you!!!â¤ï¸
— Bernadette Peters (@OfficialBPeters) February 8, 2019
Albert Finney is gone...
— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) February 8, 2019
The Best.
But more than our greatest actor...
What the Germans call "Ein Mensch"
This article originally appeared in The Sun and is republished here with permission
Originally published as Albert Finney of Annie, Erin Brockovich, Skyfall fame dead at 82
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