Pete Postlethwaite

Oscar-nominated British actor Pete Postlethwaite, who has been described by director Steven Spielberg as "the best actor in the world," died after a long battle with cancer on Jan. 2, 2011, at age 64. Postlethwaite was nominated for an Oscar for his role in the 1993 film "In The Name Of The Father."

Pictures: Pete Postlethwaite, 1946-2011
Special section: Year in review 2011

Credit: KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH/AFP/Getty Images