'Hook' Star Bob Hoskins Announces Retirement after Parkinson's Diagnosis

One of Hollywood's great character actors is stepping out of the spotlight today, as Bob Hoskins announced his retirement from acting.

The lovable and changeable actor unfortunately has a health-related reason for his retirement from acting after 40 years of making films: Hoskins has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

Hoskins' agent released a statement today on Hoskins' behalf: "He wishes to thank all the great and brilliant people he has worked with over the years, and all of his fans who have supported him during a wonderful career."

A wonderful career it was: the British-born Hoskins has been starring in films since the 1970's, but got his big American break playing the gruff PI Eddie Valiant in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" Children of the 1980's may have known Hoskins even better as Smee in "Hook."

Hoskins had plenty of serious turns as well, including roles in "Brazil" and "Nixon." As a character actor who could effortlessly disappear into his roles, Hoskins was especially adept at playing real-life characters: over his career, Hoskins played Nikita Kruschev, Benito Mussolini, Pope John XXIII and J. Edgar Hoover. Hoskins' most recent role was in "Snow White and the Huntsman."

And of course, Hoskins also played Mario in the awesomely awful "Super Mario Bros." movie adaptation in the mid-80's. But we can forgive him for that, considering the man was nominated for an Oscar and won both a BAFTA and a Golden Globe for his role in "Mona Lisa."

Hoskins' presence in the movie community will certainly be missed, and we wish him the best of luck in battling a difficult disease. But hey, if Michael J. Fox is any indication, maybe we haven't quite seen the last of Hoskins' acting yet.