Albert Finney - # 202 on the list

Albert Finney, Oscar-nominated actor, dies at 82

He holds the 202nd spot of my list. Technically three people from the list died on this date, so I am just listing them as they were announced, not sure who actually passed away first.

British actor Albert Finney, the Academy Award-nominated star of films from "Tom Jones" to "Skyfall," has died at the age of 82. Finney's family said Friday that he "passed away peacefully after a short illness with those closest to him by his side."

Finney was a rare star who managed to avoid the Hollywood limelight for more than five decades after bursting to international fame in 1963 in the title role of "Tom Jones."

The film gained him the first of five Oscar nominations. Others followed for "Murder on the Orient Express," ''The Dresser," ''Under the Volcano" and "Erin Brockovich."

In later years he brought authority to action movies, including the James Bond thriller "Skyfall" and two of the Bourne films.

Displaying the versatility of a virtuoso, Finney portrayed Winston Churchill, Pope John Paul II, a southern American lawyer, an Irish gangster and an 18th-century rogue, among dozens of other roles over the years. There was no "Albert Finney"-type character that he returned to again and again.

In one of his final roles, as the gruff Scotsman Kincade in "Skyfall," he shared significant screen time with Daniel Craig as Bond and Judi Dench as M, turning the film's final scenes into a master class of character acting.

Although Finney rarely discussed his personal life, he told the Manchester Evening News in 2012 that he had been treated for kidney cancer for five years, undergoing surgery and chemotherapy.

He also explained why he had not attended the Academy Awards in Los Angeles even when he was nominated for the film world's top prize.

"It seems silly to go over there and beg for an award," he told the paper.

The son of a bookmaker, Finney was born May 9, 1936, and grew up in northern England on the outskirts of Manchester. He took to the stage at an early age, doing a number of school plays and - despite his lack of connections and his working-class roots - earning a place at London's prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts.

He credited the headmaster of his local school, Eric Simms, for recommending that he attend the renowned drama school.

"He's the reason I am an actor," Finney said in 2012.

Finney made his first professional turn at 19 and appeared in several TV movies, including "She Stoops to Conquer" in 1956 and "The Claverdon Road Job" the following year.

Soon some critics were hailing him as "the next Laurence Olivier" - a commanding presence who would light up the British stage. Britain's pre-eminent theater critic, Kenneth Tynan, called the young Finney a "smoldering young Spencer Tracy" and warned established star Richard Burton about his prowess. In London, Finney excelled both in Shakespeare's plays and in more contemporary offerings.

Still, the young man seemed determine not to pursue conventional Hollywood stardom. After an extensive screen test, he turned down the chance to play the title role in director David Lean's epic "Lawrence of Arabia," clearing the way for fellow RADA graduate Peter O'Toole to take what became a career-defining role.

But stardom came to Finney anyway in "Tom Jones" where he won over audiences worldwide with his good-natured, funny and sensual portrayal of an 18th-century English rogue.

That was the role that introduced Finney to American audiences, and few would forget the lusty, blue-eyed leading man who helped the film win a Best Picture Oscar. Finney also earned his first Best Actor nomination for his efforts and the smash hit turned him into a Hollywood leading man.

Director Tony Richardson said his goal for "Tom Jones" was simply to produce an enjoyable romp.

"No social significance for once," he said. "No contemporary problems to lay bare. Just a lot of colorful, sexy fun."

Finney had the good fortune to receive a healthy percentage of the profits from the surprise hit, giving him financial security while he was still in his 20s.

"This is a man from very humble origins who became rich when he was very young," said Quentin Falk, author of an unauthorized biography of Finney. "It brought him a lot of side benefits. He's a man who likes to live as well as to act. He enjoys his fine wine and cigars. He's his own man, I find that rather admirable."

The actor maintained a healthy skepticism about the British establishment and even turned down a knighthood when it was offered, declining to become Sir Albert.  Finney once said he did not believe in such honors.

"Maybe people in America think being a 'Sir' is a big deal," he said. "But I think we should all be misters together. I think the 'Sir' thing slightly perpetuates one of our diseases in England, which is snobbery. And it also helps keep us 'quaint,' which I'm not a great fan of."

Instead of cashing in by taking lucrative film roles after "Tom Jones," Finney took a long sabbatical, traveling slowly through the United States, Mexico and the Pacific islands, then returned to the London stage to act in Shakespeare productions and other plays. He won wide acclaim and many awards before returning to film in 1967 to co-star with Audrey Hepburn in "Two for the Road."

This was to be a familiar pattern, with Finney alternating between film work and stage productions in London and New York.

Finney tackled Charles Dickens in "Scrooge" in 1970, then played Agatha Christie's super-sleuth Hercule Poirot in "Murder on the Orient Express" - earning his second Best Actor nomination- and even played a werewolf hunter in the cult film "Wolfen" in 1981.

He earned more Best Actor Oscar nominations for his roles in the searing marital drama "Shoot the Moon" in 1982, co-starring with Diane Keaton, and "The Dresser" in 1983. He was nominated again in 1984 for his role as a self-destructive alcoholic in director John Huston's "Under the Volcano."

Even during this extraordinary run of great roles, and his critically acclaimed television portrayal of the pope, Finney's life was not chronicled in People Weekly or other magazines, although the British press was fascinated with his marriage to the sultry French film star Anouk Aimee.

He played in a series of smaller, independent films for a number of years before returning to prominence in 2000 as a southern lawyer in the film "Erin Brockovich," which starred Julia Roberts. The film helped introduce Finney to a new generation of moviegoers, and the chemistry between the aging lawyer and his young, aggressive assistant earned him yet another Oscar nomination, this time for Best Supporting Actor.

His work also helped propel Roberts to her first Best Actress Oscar. Still, Finney declined to attend the Academy Awards ceremony - possibly damaging his chances at future wins by snubbing Hollywood's elite.

He went on to star in director Tim Burton's "Big Fish" and portrayed Britain's wartime leader, Winston Churchill, in "The Gathering Storm."

Finney also tried his hand at directing and producing and played a vital role in sustaining British theater.

Details of survivors and funeral arrangements were not immediately available.British actor Albert Finney, the Academy Award-nominated star of films from "Tom Jones" to "Skyfall," has died at the age of 82. Finney's family said Friday that he "passed away peacefully after a short illness with those closest to him by his side."

Finney was a rare star who managed to avoid the Hollywood limelight for more than five decades after bursting to international fame in 1963 in the title role of "Tom Jones."

The film gained him the first of five Oscar nominations. Others followed for "Murder on the Orient Express," ''The Dresser," ''Under the Volcano" and "Erin Brockovich."

In later years he brought authority to action movies, including the James Bond thriller "Skyfall" and two of the Bourne films.

Finney was also known for his starring role in the 1970 film "Scrooge" and for playing Daddy Warbucks in the film adaptation of "Annie."





Filmography


Film


Year Title Role Notes Ref.


1960 The Entertainer Mick Rice


Saturday Night and Sunday Morning Arthur Seaton BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles


Mar del Plata International Film Festival Award for Best Actor


Nominated – BAFTA Award for Best British Actor


1963 Tom Jones Tom Jones Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer – Male


Volpi Cup for Best Actor


Nominated – Academy Award for Best Actor


Nominated – BAFTA Award for Best British Actor


Nominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Musical or Comedy


Nominated – Golden Laurel Award for Top Male Comedic Performance


The Victors Russian Soldier


1964 Night Must Fall Danny


1967 Two for the Road Mark Wallace


1968 Charlie Bubbles Charlie Bubbles Also director


1969 The Picasso Summer George Smith


1970 Scrooge Ebenezer Scrooge Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Musical or Comedy


Nominated – Golden Laurel Award for Top Male Comedic Performance


1971 Gumshoe Eddie Ginley Nominated – BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role


1973 Alpha Beta Frank Elliot


1974 Murder on the Orient Express Hercule Poirot Evening Standard British Film Award for Best Actor


Nominated – Academy Award for Best Actor


Nominated – BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role


1975 The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother Man in opera audience Cameo; uncredited


1977 The Duellists Fouche


1981 Loophole Mike Daniels


Wolfen Dewey Wilson Nominated – Saturn Award for Best Actor


Looker Dr. Larry Roberts


1982 Shoot the Moon George Dunlap Nominated – BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role


Nominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Drama


Annie Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks


1983 The Dresser Sir Nominated – Academy Award for Best Actor


Nominated – BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role


Nominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Drama


Nominated – Silver Berlin Bear for Best Actor


1984 Under the Volcano Geoffrey Firmin Nominated – Academy Award for Best Actor


Nominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Drama


Nominated – Joseph Plateau Award for Best Actor


Nominated – National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actor


1987 Orphans Harold


1990 Miller's Crossing Leo O'Bannon


Roger Waters – The Wall – Live in Berlin The Judge


1992 The Playboys Constable Brendan Hegarty


1993 Rich in Love Warren Odom


1994 The Browning Version Andrew Crocker-Harris


A Man of No Importance Alfred Byrne


1995 The Run of the Country Danny's Father


1997 Washington Square Dr. Austin Sloper


1999 Breakfast of Champions Kilgore Trout


Simpatico Simms


2000 Erin Brockovich Ed Masry SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role


Nominated – Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor


Nominated – BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role


Nominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor


Nominated – Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor


Traffic White House Chief of Staff SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture


2001 Delivering Milo Elmore Dahl


2003 Big Fish Edward Bloom, Sr. Nominated – BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role


Nominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor


Nominated – Saturn Award for Best Actor


2004 Ocean's Twelve   Gaspar LeMarc   Uncredited cameo


2005 Corpse Bride Finis Everglot Voice


2006 A Good Year Uncle Henry Skinner


Amazing Grace John Newton


2007 The Bourne Ultimatum Dr. Albert Hirsch


Before the Devil Knows You're Dead Charles Hanson Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Ensemble Performance


2012 The Bourne Legacy Dr. Albert Hirsch


Skyfall   Kincade




Television


Year Title Role Notes Ref


1959 Emergency – Ward 10 Tom Fletcher 4 episodes


1968-1977 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Himself 2 episodes


1968-1977 The Merv Griffin Show Himself 2 episodes


1977 The Mike Douglas Show Himself 1 episode


1982 Late Night with David Letterman Himself 1 episode


1984 Pope John Paul II Karol Wojtyła, Pope John Paul II Television movie


1989 The Endless Game Agent, Alec Hillsden TV miniseries (2 episodes)


1990 The Image Jason Cromwell Television movie


Nominated – Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie


The Green Man Maurice Allington 3 episodes


Nominated – British Academy Television Award for Best Actor


1996 Karaoke Daniel Feeld 4 episodes


Nominated – British Academy Television Award for Best Actor


Cold Lazarus


1997 Nostromo Dr. Monygham 4 episodes


1998 A Rather English Marriage Reggie Television movie


Nominated – British Academy Television Award for Best Actor


2001–03 My Uncle Silas Uncle Silas 9 episodes


2002 The Gathering Storm Winston Churchill Television movie


British Academy Television Award for Best Actor


Broadcasting Press Guild Award for Best Actor


Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie


Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film


Nominated – Satellite Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film


Nominated – SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie






Stage


Year Title Role Theatre Ref.


1956 Henry V King Henry Birmingham Repertory Theatre


1958 The Party Soya New Theatre


1959 Coriolanus Coriolanus Royal Shakespeare Theatre


1961 Luther Martin Luther Royal Court Theatre


1963 Lunt-Fontanne Theatre


1965 Black Comedy Harold Gorringe Old Vic Theatre


Much Ado About Nothing Don Pedro Old Vic Theatre


1965–1966 Miss Julie Jean Old Vic Theatre


1966 A Flea in Her Ear Victor Emmanuel Chandebise Old Vic Theatre


1968 A Day in the Death of Joe Egg Bri Brooks Atkinson Theatre


1976 Hamlet Prince Hamlet Royal National Theatre


Tamburlaine Tamburlaine


1978 The Cherry Orchard Lopakhin Royal National Theatre


1984 Serjeant Musgrave's Dance Serjeant Musgrave Old Vic Theatre


1986 Orphans Harold Apollo Theatre


1996 'Art' Marc Wyndham's Theatre