Remembering Albert Finney

Earlier this month the world said farewell to British film, television and stage actor Albert Finney who died at the age of 82. A graduate of The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Mr. Finney entertained audiences for over fifty years in a diverse range of roles. Many of his performances earned him critical accolades and award nominations, others were fan favorites, and a quite a few could (and do!) fall into either category.

Over the course of his career, Finney received Oscar nominations for five very different roles.  He was recognized for his lead performances as the bawdy, raucous Tom Jones (1963), Hercule Poirot in Murder on the Orient Express (1974), a volatile Shakespearean actor in The Dresser (1983) and a self-destructive drunk in 1984 's Under the Volcano. (It's said that actor Nicolas Cage studied Finney's performance in preparation for his Oscar-winning turn in Leaving Las Vegas.)  His last nomination came in 2000 for his supporting role as Erin Brockovich’s gruff employer.

In television, he was most decorated for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in the 2002 HBO film The Gathering Storm. Finney brought home an Emmy, Golden Globe and BAFTA for that role.

The video below features clips of most of the aforementioned performances plus a bonus one from the film Charlie Bubbles, which was also Albert Finney’s directorial debut.