Albert Finney has died, aged 82.
The veteran actor was best known for his roles in films such as Erin Brockovich, Big Fish, Scrooge, Annie, and Murder On The Orient Express.
He was nominated for his first Oscar in 1964, for his leading role as Tom Jones. He then went on to bag nominations for his performances in Murder On The Orient Express, The Dresser, Under the Volcano and most recently, for his supporting role in 2000’s Erin Brockovich.
Finney bagged both a BAFTA and a Golden Globe for his performance as Winston Churchill in The Gathering Storm. He also received a British Academy Fellowship in 2001.
A statement from a family spokesman said: “Albert Finney, aged 82, passed away peacefully after a short illness with those closest to him by his side. The family request privacy at this sad time.”
Tributes have already begun pouring in, with many praising his powerful performances.
“We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Albert Finney. The recipient of the BAFTA Fellowship in 2001, Finney will be warmly remembered for his powerful performances in Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, Tom Jones, Big Fish and many more,” Bafta tweeted.
British actor Nicholas Pegg called Finney “one of the best” while David Morrissey said Finney was a “powerhouse of an actor.” You can see more tributes below.
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Albert Finney. The recipient of the BAFTA Fellowship in 2001, Finney will be warmly remembered for his powerful performances in Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, Tom Jones, Big Fish and many more. pic.twitter.com/SwuaV84cGE
— BAFTA (@BAFTA) February 8, 2019
Albert Finney. One of the very best. pic.twitter.com/NYBKWDUXmo
— Nicholas Pegg (@NicholasPegg) February 8, 2019
Here's a photo I took of Albert FInney in Salford in 1986, in the house where he was born – for Salford City Art Gallery #RIP pic.twitter.com/YbcbOtdnAD
— Kevin Cummins (@KCMANC) February 8, 2019
One of the true great. Both on stage and screen. A powerhouse of an actor. A real hero of mine. RIP Albert Finney https://t.co/FuSu6948tS
— David Morrissey (@davemorrissey64) February 8, 2019
very, very sad to hear our favourite ‘angry young man’ has gone to the great cinema in the sky. RIP Albert Finney pic.twitter.com/fTOaMH3CQ4
— Talking Pictures TV (@TalkingPicsTV) February 8, 2019
a thing about Albert Finney is that no matter how old you are, you never lived through a period when he wasn't great
— Sam Adams (@SamuelAAdams) February 8, 2019
Albert Finney died, and that makes me so sad because he was incredible in everything, but especially in Skyfall when he kept calling M, "Emma."
— Anne T. Donahue (@annetdonahue) February 8, 2019
RIP Albert Finney. Brilliant actor. If you've never seen his films I urge you to check out Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, based on the book of the same name, about a young man frustrated at the constraints of working class life in Nottingham in the 1950s. He's wonderful in it
— Paris Lees (@parislees) 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
So sad to hear of the passing of Albert Finney . I had the great pleasure of working with him on ‘Annie’ the movie. Who could forget him in Tom Jones .RIP we will miss you!!!❤️
— Bernadette Peters (@OfficialBPeters) February 8, 2019