In Memoriam of Skyfall actor Albert Finney (1936-2019)

By: Anders Frejdh

Published:
2019-02-08

Five-time Academy Award nominated actor Albert Finney (1936-2019) has sadly left us after a short illness. Finney most memorably portrayed Kincade in the hugely successful James Bond film from 2012, Skyfall (turned out to be his last film). Our thoughts now go to Albert's family.

An official statement from a family spokesman said:

“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 Finney played the role of Kincade in Skyfall, the 23rd James Bond film adventure from EON Productions. An endearing character from Bond’s mysterious past of which producer Barbara Broccoli commented at the film's release:

“Albert Finney is the most extraordinary man; sexy, wonderful and delightful. I think he is going to be very well remembered in this role because the relationship he has with Bond goes way back and he appears just in the nick of time. It’s delightful to have him in a Bond film because Cubby [Broccoli] desperately wanted to work with him, and of course I wanted to work with him. He is a legend, a fantastic actor and just funny, charming, extraordinary and dead sexy. Be still my beating heart!”

Having now received the sad news of Albert Finney's passing, Barbara and fellow EON producer Michael G. Wilson wrote:

“We are heartbroken at the loss of Albert Finney. It was a privilege to work with him and an honour to have had him as part of our Bond family.”

James Bond actor Daniel Craig also left an official message after hearing about Albert's death:

“I'm deeply saddened by the news of Albert Finney's passing. The world has lost a giant.
Wherever Albert is now, I hope there are horses and good company.”

About British actor Albert Finney (1936-2019)

The five-time Academy Award® nominee was a dynamic British stage and film actor, with a career spanning over a half-century, and one of the most accomplished in the annals of contemporary acting. Born in Salford 1936, Albert Finney was a successful stage actor before his film career began with a small role in The Entertainer (1960) for Tony Richardson. Both Finney and Richardson went on to become key figures of the British New Wave of social realism. Distinctive because of his powerful voice, resonant of his Northern origins, Finney first made his name in Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (1960), playing Arthur Seaton, a lathe worker who refuses to "let the bastards grind you down".

He conquered US audiences and critics with his spirited portrayal of Tom Jones (1963), but shied away from further romantic parts, preferring a variety of character roles, including a psychopath in Night Must Fall (1964), the title role in the musical Scrooge (1970), an idiosyncratically conceived Hercule Poirot in Murder on the Orient Express (1974) opposite Sean Connery and Swedish actress Ingrid Bergman, and a bombastic theatre actor in The Dresser (1983), the latter two performances being Oscar nominated.

While such choices demonstrate his resistance to stardom, Finney gained widespread respect playing men who are forces to be reckoned with, and as a result, continued to gain quality work across the media: on TV in Dennis Potter's Karaoke (1996), and Cold Lazarus (1996); on stage in the 1996 West End production of “Art”; in film, Erin Brockovich (2000) opposite box-office magnet Julia Roberts.

In recent years, apart from Skyfall, Finney's film credits included Traffic, Big Fish, Ocean's 12, A Good Year, Bourne Ultimatum and Bourne Legacy.

Finney is survived by his third wife, Pene Delmage, son Simon and two grandchildren.
Albert Finney Kincade Skyfall

A portrait of Albert Finney by FSWL reader Jeff Marshall. Used with permission.

Obituaries in the press about acclaimed actor Albert Finney

>Albert Finney, British actor, dies aged 82 (BBC)
>'One of the greats': Tributes flood in for 'powerhouse' British actor and five-time Oscar nominee Albert Finney as he dies aged 82 following a short illness (Daily Mail)
>Albert Finney dies: 'Tom Jones', 'Skyfall' Actor Was 82 (Deadline)
>Albert Finney dead at 82: Skyfall and Poirot actor dies after (Mirror)
>Albert Finney, cinema's original 'angry young man', dies aged 82 (The Guardian)
>Albert Finney, British actor, dies aged 82 (The Sun)

For more information about Albert Finney and his amazing career, check out his IMDB profile.

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In Memoriam of Skyfall actor Albert Finney (1936-2019)

About British actor Albert Finney (1936-2019)

Obituaries in the press about acclaimed actor Albert Finney

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