‘A film giant’: screen great Albert Finney dies aged 82
ALBERT Finney has died at the age of 82 with his wife and son by his side, sparking an outpouring of grief over the loss of one of cinema’s ‘true greats’.
The actor, who played the title character in Scrooge, IrishAmerican mobster Leo O’Bannon in Miller’s Crossing and ‘Daddy’ Warbucks in Annie during an extraordinary career, died after a short illness.
Mr Finney, who beat kidney cancer in 2011, had spent the past month in a London cancer hospital before succumbing to a chest infection yesterday. A statement from a family spokesman said: ‘He passed away peacefully after a short illness with those closest to him by his side.’
He was married three times, to actresses Jane Wenham and Anouk Aimeé and finally to travel agent Pene Delmage in 2006.
The actor is survived by Ms Delmage and his son Simon, from his first marriage. Actor Russell Crowe, who starred with him in Ridley Scott’s A Good Year, said: ‘Sad sad news. Loved our chats and your company Albert.’
Mr Finney, a bookmaker’s son born near Manchester, rose to fame after his breakthrough hit Saturday Night And Sunday Morning in 1960 – but never won an Oscar despite being nominated five times in his career.
He was known as British cinema’s original ‘angry young man’ and starred alongside Liza Minelli, Audrey Hepburn and Julia Roberts, but considered himself anti-establishment and twice turned down honours, including a knighthood in 2000.
His final film role was in 2012 James Bond movie Skyfall.
Yesterday, Bond actor Daniel Craig said in a statement: ‘The world has lost a giant.’