Sad news out of Hollywood today, as legendary actor Albert Finney has passed away at the age of 82. Finney’s family confirmed reports of his passing in a statement to the Associated Press Friday morning. “The family request privacy at this sad time,” read a brief statement. Few details were provided about the cause of Finney’s death, but the family indicated that he passed following “a short illness.” Finney fought kidney cancer in 2011, but it is not known if that illness played a role in his death. Amassing more than 60 credits over the course of his five decades in Hollywood, Finney’s resumé reads like a diverse list of some of the most beloved films of the past 50 years. Whether your tastes run toward action films ( Skyfall , the Bourne franchise), musicals ( Annie, Scrooge ), acclaimed dramas ( Erin Brockovich, Under the Volcano ), or thought-provoking indie fare ( Big Fish, Miller’s Crossing, Before the Devil Knows Your Dead ), Finney not only dabbled in your genre of choice, he helped define it. After rising to fame with his titular role in Tom Jones in 1963, Finney quickly gained a reputation as an actor’s actor. His love of the craft led Finney to continue working on Broadway even after finding success in Hollywood. He eventually earned two Tony nominations to go along with his staggering 5 Oscar nods. Finney also gained widespread acclaim and numerous nominations for his work as Winston Churchill in the 2002 television movie The Gathering Storm . Finney’s thoughtful insights on acting are often quoted by both veteran instructors and up-and-comers in search of inspiration. “I don’t think that we necessarily lie. I mean, we make our living by pretending that we’re someone else. I don’t tell tall tales. I always tell the truth,” he once remarked. “To be a character who feels a deep emotion, one must go into the memory’s vault and mix in a sad memory from one’s own life.” The actor turned down an offer of knighthood in 2000, arguing that the UK’s honors system serves to “perpetuate snobbery.” Finney was married three times, including his tempestuous 8-year romance with actress Anouk Aimée He is survived by his son, Simon, and his widow, Pene Delmage. Our thoughts go out to his family during this difficult time. View Slideshow: Celebrities Who Died in 2019: In Memoriam
See the original post:
Albert Finney Dies; Legendary Actor Was 82
