Bob Hoskins, who rose to fame in British gangster films in the 1980s and went on to have a long career as a Hollywood character actor, died on April 29, 2014, they said in a statement.

Bob Hoskins, known for his roles in films including Mermaids and Who Framed Roger Rabbit, died at the age of seventy one following a bout of pneumonia, his family said on Wednesday, April 30, 2014.

“We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Bob.” said a statement from his wife grieved Linda Banwell.

Bob Hoskins and Linda Banwell have two children Rosa and Jack, while Bob Hoskins has two more, Alex and Sarah, from his first marriage to Jane Livesey.

Bob Hoskins was perhaps best known for 1988’s live-action and animation hybrid Who Framed Roger Rabbit. In it, he essayed the character of a detective Eddie Valiant, tasked with proving the innocence of the cartoon title character. Bob Hoskins, who was nominated for an Oscar and won a Golden Globe for his role in Mona Lisa in 1986, retired from acting in 2012 after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Bob Hoskins first claim to fame was in the year 1978 with the British television miniseries Pennies From Heaven. His other notable films include 1986’s Mona Lisa, which brought him an Academy Award best actor nomination, as well as The Long Good Friday, Hook and Mrs. Henderson Presents.

In one of his last roles, Bob Hoskins played the elf Muir in 2012’s Snow White And The Huntsman. In the 2011 television miniseries and Peter Pan prequel Neverland, he essayed the character of Smee; a character he also portrayed in 1991’s Hook.

Bob Hoskins was know for her versatility and was capable of menace, quiet poignancy and Cockney charm. Raised in London Hoskins appeared in some of the most acclaimed British films of the past few decades.