Fans are in mourning this week after actor Albert Finney, who was nominated for five Academy Awards during his career, passed away at the age of 82.
Finney reportedly died in London last Thursday from a chest infection as he battled cancer.
Finney first found fame when he appeared in the title role of the 1963 film Tom Jones, which won the Oscar for Best Picture. Over the next few decades, Finney appeared in other films like Murder On The Orient Express, Annie, Erin Brokovich, and Big Fish.
During his career, Finney was known for shying away from stardom. He refused to even attend the Academy Awards when he was nominated, saying “It seems silly to go over there and beg for an award.”
Finney, whose last film appearance was in the 2012 James Bond film Skyfall, was so humble that he declined a CBE, one the country’s highest honors, in 1980 and a knighthood in 2000.
“I think the Sir thing slightly perpetuates one of our diseases in England, which is snobbery,” the actor said at the time.
“I’m deeply saddened by the news of Albert Finney’s passing,” James Bond star Daniel Craig said in a statement about his death. “The world has lost a giant. Wherever Albert is now, I hope there are horses and good company.”
Other tributes have been pouring in for Finney on Twitter.
Albert Finney is gone…
The Best.
But more than our greatest actor…
What the Germans call “Ein Mensch”
— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) February 8, 2019
Very sad to hear about Albert Finney. I had the enormous privilege of working with him early on. Apart from being effortlessly great he was also a great all round example of how to behave. https://t.co/mZXeqmWrqJ
— Rufus Sewell (@FredrikSewell) February 8, 2019
“Whatever people say I am, that’s what I’m not.” RIP Albert Finney, the original Angry Young Man, thanks for ‘Saturday Night, Sunday Morning’, ‘Miller’s Crossing’, ‘Two For The Road’, ‘Gumshoe’, ‘The Dresser’, ‘Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead’, ‘Tom Jones’ & so many others… pic.twitter.com/TKGJYKcK8Z
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) February 8, 2019
Finney is survived by his wife, Pene Delmage, and son, Simon, from his first marriage to Jane Wenham.
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