Today, we lost one of the greats. Albert Finney was a versatile actor who always brought life to his characters like no other, and though many of us believe he should have been nominated for an Academy Award many times over, he was sadly never awarded one.
That doesn’t mean that there aren’t roles of Finney’s that we don’t instantly think of when we hear his name. In fact, today proved that he played a part in a lot of our favorite movies. From Daddy Warbucks to Edward Bloom and everything in between, Finney and his work is just as wild as the journey that his characters would take, and we will miss his brilliance.
So many took to Twitter to share their favorite Albert Finney roles to honor him. Of course, Daddy Warbucks was a big one.
Goodbye to the only good billionaire there ever was. pic.twitter.com/iifb7WmWXu
— Maris Kreizman (@mariskreizman) February 8, 2019
So sad to hear of the passing of Albert Finney . I had the great pleasure of working with him on ‘Annie’ the movie. Who could forget him in Tom Jones .RIP we will miss you!!!❤️
— Bernadette Peters (@OfficialBPeters) February 8, 2019
#AlbertFinney feels his hairless head and holds his former hair in preparation for his memorable role as ‘Daddy Warbucks’ in 1982’s “Annie.” Such a wonderful, talented artist. pic.twitter.com/MjJvwm6yYF
— Jon Donahue (@JonDonahue) February 8, 2019
But Albert Finney also brought older Edward Bloom to life in Tim Burton’s Big Fish, a role that was completely understated and simply heartbreaking to watch.
Albert Finney in Big Fish is still one of my favorite performances ever. Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/JOQ35gfbct
— rachel leishman (@RachelLeishman) February 8, 2019
Albert Finney joins the likes of Peter O’Toole, Richard Burton, etc who never won an Oscar and deserved the honor many times over pic.twitter.com/uJu0EEnZsd
— 🏳️🌈 Ms. Marya E. Gates (@oldfilmsflicker) February 8, 2019
“You become what you always were – a very big fish.” pic.twitter.com/rgXr0XDYnU
— Rebecca Rae (@RhRae) February 8, 2019
Erin Brockovich is another of Finney’s performances that shows his ability and range as an actor, changing the way many viewed masculinity and more.
The masculinity he portrays in ERIN BROCKOVICH—a faded version of the 1950s caregiver that evolves, and allows him to grow as a human, as he lets himself learn from and be challenged by her—is so perfect pic.twitter.com/ChqZe7sC7d
— Kiva Reardon (@kiva_jane) February 8, 2019
I remember seeing SHOOT THE MOON with my Aunt Denise when I was about 10 years old. And then seeing ANNIE a few weeks later with my Mom. Then putting together that the father in both was the same man and thinking – wow, that’s what acting means. Thank you, Albert Finney. 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/QyXOY0rKSO
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) February 8, 2019
He was one of the greats, someone we could always count on to break our hearts and make us think and he will be missed. Rest In Peace, Albert Finney.
(image: Columbia Pictures/screengrab)
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