RIP.

British actor Bob Hoskins has died from pneumonia aged 71. Following a successful career which spanned six decades, he retired from acting in 2012 after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

Hoskins was arguably one of the most recognisable faces in modern cinema, having worked with directors such as Steven Spielberg, Robert Zemeckis, Oliver Stone, Neil Jordan and Terry Gilliam. Early roles in British films like The Long Good Friday and Mona Lisa brought him to the attention of Hollywood, and movies such as Mermaids and Who Framed Roger Rabbit? would propel him to global stardom.

However, Nintendo fans will forever remember him as Mario Mario (that's his second name, see?) in the live-action adaptation of Super Mario Bros., in which he starred alongside Dennis Hopper and John Leguizamo. The movie was a critical and commercial flop, but has since gained cult status. While Leguizamo has largely positive memories of the film, Hoskins was never happy with the movie and publicly lambasted it on several occasions:

The worst thing I ever did? Super Mario Brothers. It was a f****** nightmare. The whole experience was a nightmare. It had a husband-and-wife team directing, whose arrogance had been mistaken for talent. After so many weeks their own agent told them to get off the set! F****** nightmare. F****** idiots.

The death of Hoskins sadly means that no more live-action Marios exist; back in 2009, Captain Lou Albano — who portrayed the portly plumber in the American TV show — died aged 76.

Rest in peace, Bob. You may have hated Super Mario Bros. The Movie, but millions of people are glad that it was you who brought the character to life.

[source bbc.co.uk]