Actor Albert Finney has died at the age of 82.
A spokesperson for his family confirmed news of his death on Friday, following a short spell of ill health.
They said in a statement: “Albert Finney, aged 82, passed away peacefully after a short illness with those closest to him by his side.
“The family request privacy at this sad time.”
Albert was a star of stage and screen, but was perhaps best known for his titular role in four-time Oscar-winning film Tom Jones.
He’d also appeared in numerous other films including Scrooge, Skyfall, Annie, Erin Brockovich and The Bourne Ultimatum.
The five-time Oscar nominee was born in Salford in 1936, and began his career on the stage, after studying drama at Rada, and was cast in many Shakespeare plays.
He made his movie debut with a small part in The Entertainer in 1960.
Director Tony Richardson then offered Albert the lead in kitchen-sink drama Saturday Night And Sunday Morning, before he rose to wider fame in Tom Jones.
Actor David Morrissey was among the first to pay tribute on Instagram and Twitter writing: “One of the true great. Both on stage and screen. A powerhouse of an actor. A real hero of mine. RIP Albert Finney”.
Bafta also remembered the actor, who was honoured with a Bafta Fellowship in 2001.
They said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Albert Finney. The recipient of the BAFTA Fellowship in 2001, Finney will be warmly remembered for his powerful performances in Saturday Night And Sunday Morning, Tom Jones, Big Fish and many more”.
In May 2011, Albert disclosed that he had been receiving treatment for kidney cancer.
However, his cause of death remains unconfirmed.
Albert was married three times and was father to one son, Simon.
