Tuesday, August 7--------Bob Hoskins, one of the most respected English actors of his generation, will be honored at the upcoming Edinburgh International Film Festival, which opens on August 15th and runs through August 26. On the first Friday of the Festival, August 17th, the prolific actor will appear on-stage to discuss his diverse career. This has included stellar work over the past three decades, where the chameleon actor has had the opportunity to portray such historical figures as J Edgar Hoover, Nikita Kruschev, Benito Mussolini and Manuel Noriega. He has worked with such directors as Terry Gilliam, Francis Ford Coppola, Steven Spielberg and Atom Egoyan, and co-starred with the likes of Helen Mirren, Robert De Niro, Jennifer Lopez and even an animated Roger Rabbit.

Hoskins, 65 years old, was born in Bury St. Edmund's, Suffolk, where his mother was living during World War II, to avoid the heavy bombings in London. He left school at 15, dreaming of a career on the stage. However, his short stature and non-leading man looks forced him to work odd jobs for a long time to make ends meet. His acting career started out more by accident than by design, when he accompanied a friend to watch some auditions, only to be confused for one of the people auditioning. He got the part and worked in the theater in a variety of supporting roles. After some stage success, he expanded to television with roles in television series, before making his film debut in 1977 in the film INSERTS, directed by John Byrum. Hoskins finally broke through in 1978 in Dennis Potter's television mini-series, PENNIES FROM HEAVEN, playing "Arthur Parker", the doomed soft shoe salesman.

His stature in film was assured for his role as the maniacal mobster in THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY (1980). This was followed by stellar work in such films as THE COTTON CLUB, MONA LISA (Oscar nomination and BAFTA win), the animated fantasy WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT, as well as key supporting roles in NIXON, FELICIA'S JOURNEY and ENEMY AT THE GATES. Hoskins has always balanced larger Hollywood projects with smaller independent films, including such films as TWENTY FOUR SEVEN (directed by Shane Meadows), RAINBOW and the recent MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS. He found time in 1988 to direct, write and star in the film THE RAGGEDY RAWNEY, an intense drama about a young deserter during World War II.

Hoskins will be in Edinburgh to promote the release of his newest film, SPARKLE, a contemporary comedy about life, love and relationships in the twenty first century, from Tom Hunsinger and Neil Hunter, the directors of LAWLESS HEART. The film is set in the glamorous world of public relations, where a young man moves to London in order to make his name in the world.  However, his best laid plans suffer a real setback when true love turns his world upside down in the most unexpected of circumstances. This winning comedy drama also stars Stockard Channing and Anthony Head. To view the film's trailer, click on to: http://www.mymovies.net/player/default.asp?TRID=3007&filmid=6576

Sandy Mandelberger, Awards Watch Editor