Actor Bob Hoskins retires after Parkinson's diagnosis

British actor Bob Hoskins, known for his roles in films including "Who Framed Roger Rabbit", is retiring from acting after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, his agent said Wednesday.

During a four-decade career the 69-year-old Londoner rose to fame in British gangster films in the 1980s and went on to have a long career as a Hollywood character actor.

"Bob Hoskins wishes to announce that he will be retiring from acting, following his diagnosis of Parkinson's disease last autumn," the actor's agent said in a statement.

"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.

"Bob is now looking forward to his retirement with his family, and would greatly appreciate that his privacy be respected at this time."

Hoskins's last role was as one of the seven dwarves in the film "Snow White and the Huntsman", which starred "Twilight" actress Kristen Stewart.

But his Hollywood credits included leading roles in "Roger Rabbit", where he played a detective opposite the eponymous cartoon hero; the Stephen Spielberg Peter Pan adaptation "Hook"; and video game spin-off "Super Mario Bros".

AFP