Bob Hoskins' memorable film roles

Acclaimed English actor Bob Hoskins died April 29 after a battle with pneumonia. He was 71.

In celebration of his lengthy career, we've taken a look back at some of his most memorable film roles.

By: Ken Lombardi

"The Long Good Friday" -- 1980

After he became known in the U.K. for the 1978 BBC musical drama "Pennies from Heaven," Hoskins became an internationally-recognized star with his breakout film role in "The Long Good Friday." Helen Mirren co-stars in the gangster film that now stands as a classic in its genre, thanks in large part to Hoskins' turn as a mobster trying to go clean. The actor won his first Evening Standard British Film award for his performance.

"Beyond the Limit" -- 1983

Hoskins was nominated for a best supporting actor BAFTA for his portrayal of a South American colonel. Also starring Richard Gere, "Beyond the Limit" (released overseas as "The Honorary Consul") marked the first of Hoskins' many collaborations with Michael Caine.

"The Cotton Club" -- 1984

Hoskins co-starred with Richard Gere yet again the following year in Francis Ford Coppola's "The Cotton Club."

"Brazil" -- 1985

Set in a dystopian future, Terry Gilliam's satire took aim at bureaucracy in modern times. Hoskins played a government employee at odds with an air-conditioning specialist, portrayed by Robert de Niro. The film has become a cult classic over the years.

"Mona Lisa" -- 1986

Hoskins won a Golden Globe, a BAFTA and landed his only Oscar nomination for his lead performance as an ex-convict tasked with driving around a high-class prostitute to meet her clients. Michael Caine also starred.

Hoskins' performance in "Mona Lisa" is often cited as a career best.

"Who Framed Roger Rabbit" -- 1988

Many who grew up in the 1980s and '90s cherish Hoskins' classic turn in Robert Zemeckis' live-action/animation mash-up. He played the perfect straight-man to all the cartoon zaniness that was going on around him.

"Mermaids" -- 1990

Cher gave into Hoskins' sweet-natured advances in this unconventional family drama, which co-starred Winona Ryder and a then-10-year-old Christina Ricci in her debut film performance.

"Hook" -- 1991

The faithful right-hand man to Dustin Hoffman's Captain Hook, Hoskins starred in this Steven Spielberg re-imagining as the ever-faithful pirate Smee. Hoskins reprised the role years later in the 2011 TV mini-series, "Neverland."

"Super Mario Bros." -- 1993

Mama mia! Even the best of actors can find themselves in a major dud. Based on the classic Nintendo game, Hoskins played the hero plumber, with John Leguizamo stepping into the role of Luigi.

Also starring Dennis Hopper, "Super Mario Bros." is considered by many movie-lovers to be one of the worst films ever made. In later years, Hoskins would publicly blast the project, labeling it as his worst working experience ever.

"Nixon" -- 1995

Hoskins played a pivotal role in the Oliver Stone biopic, as FBI head J. Edgar Hoover.

"Felicia's Journey" -- 1999

The actor took home a Genie Award for playing a middle-aged man, with very dark secrets, who seemingly tries to help a pregnant woman find the father of her unborn baby. Along with "Mona Lisa," this is widely considered one of Hoskins' best film performances.

"Last Orders" -- 2001

Teaming up with Caine once again, Hoskins and a group of friends go on a road trip to grant a final wish to an old drinking buddy.

"Enemy At The Gates" -- 2001

Sporting a full head of grey, Hoskins played military leader (and future Soviet ruler) Nikita Khrushchev in this World War-II era thriller starring Jude Law and Joseph Fiennes.

"Maid in Manhattan" -- 2002

Hoskins teamed up with another Fiennes brother, Ralph, the following year in this romantic comedy starring Jennifer Lopez.

"Unleashed" -- 2005

You don't want to get on Hoskins' bad side in this action thriller. He plays a ruthless criminal who literally unleashes his most powerful weapon (Jet Li) on those who cross him.

"Mrs. Henderson Presents" -- 2005

Judi Dench played the elderly, and offbeat, Mrs. Henderson, who employs theater manager Vivian Van Damm (Hoskins) to help start a nude variety show in World War II London. The back-and-forth banter between Dench and Hoskins alone are worth the price of admission.

"Stay" -- 2005

Hoskins further showed off his acting range by playing a blind man in the critically-maligned "Stay," starring Ewan McGregor and Ryan Gosling.

"Hollywoodland" -- 2006

With an all-star cast led by Ben Affleck, "Hollywoodland" focused on the 1950s murder investigation into the death of TV's "Superman" star George Reeves. Hoskins convincingly plays an MGM studio executive who may have potentially had a hand in the actor's death.

"A Christmas Carol" -- 2009

Hoskins had dual voice roles in Jim Carrey's holiday blockbuster, playing both wealthy proprietor Mr. Fezziwig and the petty criminal, Old Joe.

"Made in Dagenham" -- 2010

Based on a true story, Hoskins lends a helping hand to a group of female factory workers fighting for equal pay. Who can forget the infamous scene where Hoskins walks into the factory, only to find all of the women working in their bras in protest.

"It was delicious, absolutely delicious," Hoskins once recounted to Vanity Fair of shooting the scene.

"Snow White and the Huntsman" -- 2012

Hoskins once again played a blind character, this time as clairvoyant dwarf Muir. "Snow White and the Huntsman" ultimately turned out to be Hoskins' final film. He was forced to retire from show business in 2012 after having been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2011.