As he prepares to turn 70 this year, Bob Hoskins has enjoyed an acting career far longer than most, and given the immense variety of roles he's gotten to play, probably a more rewarding one as well. But today he's announced he's stepping away from the screen, and though in the statement he says he's "looking forward to his retirement with his family," he'll also be facing a major medical challenge.
According to the statement, via The BBC, Hoskins has been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, the degenerative disorder of the central nervous system for which, according to the NIH, 50,000 new cases are reported annually in the United States alone. Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with the disease in 1991, and since disclosing it publicly 7 years later has worked tirelessly to support research toward a cure.
The statement about Hoskins retiring said the following: "He wishes to thank all the great and brilliant people he has worked with over the years, and all of his fans who have supported him during a wonderful career." And that list of brilliant people he's worked with is a long one-- he had a supporting turn in Terry Gilliam's Brazil, earned an Oscar nomination starring in Neil Jordan's Mona Lisa, played Smee for Steven Spielberg (and opposite Dustin Hoffman) in Hook, and played J. Edgar Hoover in Oliver Stone's Nixon. Hoskins's most notable co-star to many of us, though, was animated-- he was the overwhelmed private detective caught up in the mystery of Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, and man was he great at it.
Hoskins had a terrific supporting turn in 2010's Made in Dagenham, and you could see him this year in Snow White and the Huntsman as one of the boisterous 7 dwarves. We'll miss him greatly at the movies, and wish him all the best in his health.
