British actor Pete Postlethwaite died over the weekend, succumbing to a lengthy battle with cancer at the age of 64. He is survived by his wife and two children.
Postlethwaite's death is a devastating blow to the acting community; though his name wasn't always the most recognizable one on the marquee, his face was utterly unforgettable. As a result, the character actor delivered a vast wealth of truly memorable performances -- including turns in this year's "Clash of the Titans," "Inception" and "The Town" -- effortlessly dissolving into his roles like the truest of chameleons.
After the jump, check out the five Postlethwaite performances we'll remember most fondly (and click on the pic above for a photo-gallery tribute to the dearly departed actor).
"In the Name of the Father"
There's simply no forgetting Postlethwaite's turn as Guiseppe Conlon in "In the Name of the Father." His scenes opposite Daniel Day-Lewis were breathtaking, and the Best Supporting Actor nomination Postlethwaite earned at the Oscars was more than deserved.
"The Lost World: Jurassic Park"
You wouldn't think to remember too much from this needless "Jurassic Park" sequel, but Postlethwaite's turn as big game hunter Roland Tembo was worth the price of admission. Indeed, it earned big praise from director Steven Spielberg, who went on to describe Postlethwaite as "the best actor in the world." Maybe it's worth another watch, wouldn't you say?
"Romeo + Juliet"
Although Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes were the standouts in Baz Luhrmann's modern adaptation of the classic Shakespearean play, Postlethwaite did quite a bit of heavy lifting himself as Father Lawrence, one of the most complicated and under-appreciated characters in all of Shakespeare's works.
"The Town"
The last year of Postlethwaite's life was a busy one, with 2010 yielding a trifecta of amazing performances including turns in "Inception" and "Clash of the Titans." But the biggest and boldest of these roles came in the form of "The Town." The late actor starred as Fergie the Florist, a local crime boss who positively exuded terror from every pore.
"The Usual Suspects"
Behind every great villain is an even greater lawyer. That job went to Postlethwaite in "The Usual Suspects," delivering a haunting turn as Kobayashi, the conspicuously named attorney to notorious crime lord Keyser Soze. Kevin Spacey may have won the Oscar, but Postlethwaite's understated performance was a close competitor.
Share your favorite memories of Postlethwaite in the comments section and on Twitter!
Tags in the name of the father, Pete Postlethwaite, romeo + juliet, the lost world: jurassic park, the town, The Usual Suspects
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Pete Postlethwaite Dead At 64: Remembering The Actor's Five Best Roles
Posted 1/3/11 10:20 am EST by Josh Wigler in Commentary, News
British actor Pete Postlethwaite died over the weekend, succumbing to a lengthy battle with cancer at the age of 64. He is survived by his wife and two children.
Postlethwaite's death is a devastating blow to the acting community; though his name wasn't always the most recognizable one on the marquee, his face was utterly unforgettable. As a result, the character actor delivered a vast wealth of truly memorable performances -- including turns in this year's "Clash of the Titans," "Inception" and "The Town" -- effortlessly dissolving into his roles like the truest of chameleons.
After the jump, check out the five Postlethwaite performances we'll remember most fondly (and click on the pic above for a photo-gallery tribute to the dearly departed actor).
"In the Name of the Father"
There's simply no forgetting Postlethwaite's turn as Guiseppe Conlon in "In the Name of the Father." His scenes opposite Daniel Day-Lewis were breathtaking, and the Best Supporting Actor nomination Postlethwaite earned at the Oscars was more than deserved.
"The Lost World: Jurassic Park"
You wouldn't think to remember too much from this needless "Jurassic Park" sequel, but Postlethwaite's turn as big game hunter Roland Tembo was worth the price of admission. Indeed, it earned big praise from director Steven Spielberg, who went on to describe Postlethwaite as "the best actor in the world." Maybe it's worth another watch, wouldn't you say?
"Romeo + Juliet"
Although Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes were the standouts in Baz Luhrmann's modern adaptation of the classic Shakespearean play, Postlethwaite did quite a bit of heavy lifting himself as Father Lawrence, one of the most complicated and under-appreciated characters in all of Shakespeare's works.
"The Town"
The last year of Postlethwaite's life was a busy one, with 2010 yielding a trifecta of amazing performances including turns in "Inception" and "Clash of the Titans." But the biggest and boldest of these roles came in the form of "The Town." The late actor starred as Fergie the Florist, a local crime boss who positively exuded terror from every pore.
"The Usual Suspects"
Behind every great villain is an even greater lawyer. That job went to Postlethwaite in "The Usual Suspects," delivering a haunting turn as Kobayashi, the conspicuously named attorney to notorious crime lord Keyser Soze. Kevin Spacey may have won the Oscar, but Postlethwaite's understated performance was a close competitor.
Share your favorite memories of Postlethwaite in the comments section and on Twitter!
Tags in the name of the father, Pete Postlethwaite, romeo + juliet, the lost world: jurassic park, the town, The Usual Suspects
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