Caffeinated Clint
Oscar Nominated actor Pete Postlethwaite, best known for his performances in the films “In the Name of the Father” and “The Usual Suspects”, has died at the age of 64.
Though there’s a rumour dong the rounds on the social networks that the actor died in a house fire, that claim has been refuted. Postelthwaite had been battling testicular cancer since 1990. He died peacefully in hospital.
Like most of you, the first time I saw Postelthwaite was in 1992’s “Alien 3”. Pretty lacklustre film, particuarly coming off the brilliant “Aliens”, but he was memorable (and was Charles Dance, Charles S.Dutton etc) – I remember one particular close-up and moment of his… in fact, I think it’s in the trailer.
But of course it was “In the Name of the Father”, Jim Sheridan’s heavy-hearted drama, in which he was nominated an Oscar, that caught everyone’s attention – particuarly Hollywood’s.
The Cheshire-bred actor was in-demand post Oscar nod and snagged roles in such films as “The Usual Suspects” (he was Kobayashi), “The Lost World : Jurassic Park”, “Amistad”, Bazz Luhrmann’s “Romeo & Juliet”, the heartwarming “Brassed Off” (about the miners who struggle to keep their band together) and the remake of “The Omen”. Postlethwaite was one of those actors who worked consistently and frequenting, the man was ostensibly never unemployed.
In 2004 Postlethwaite worked on an Australian film, “Strange Bedfellows” with Paul Hogan and Michael Caton. He has a great supporting role as a taxman. Some friends of mine – namely Dean Murphy, co-writer and director- were behind that one. I know they’ll be crushed when they hear of the man’s passing.
Postlethwaite’s most recent credits include “Clash of the Titans”, “The Town” and “Inception”.
Yep, the man went out on top… doesn’t mean we’ll miss him any less.
Rest in Peace Sir.
