Top 10: The essential Pete Postlethwaite - Vancouver Sun

Oscar-nominated actor Pete Postlethwaite died today in hospital in western England after a battle with cancer. (More)

Postlethwaite was once called "probably the best actor in the world today" by Steven Spielberg, and leaves behind a filmography with several highlights. Here, we take a look at some of his most noted turns:

The Duellists (1977)

Postlethwaite's debut film role was a small one, but put him up against some Hollywood big shots of the day: Harvey Keitel, Keith Carradine and one of Postlethwaite's acting heros: Albert Finney. The 1977 film, based on a Joseph Conrad story, was directed by a young Ridley Scott.

Distant Voices, Still Lives (1988)

Nearly a decade after The Duellists, Postlethwaite had critics talking with his role in this indie film, set in Liverpool in the 60s. After a decade in small roles and small films, this film served as a calling card to Hollywood filmmakers for the British actor.

Hamlet (1990)

Director Mel Gibson cast the Postlethwaite as the Player King in his version of Shakespeare's classic play. And Postlethwaite was on familiar ground, as he began his career in theatre at the age of 24, and served as a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

The Last of the Mohicans (1992)

This film teamed Postlethwaite with actor Daniel Day Lewis. The two were both among the actors at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre in their youth, and at one point Day Lewis served as Postlethwaite's understudy in the theatre.

In the Name of the Father (1993)

This role is Postlewaite's breakthrough, and earned him a well-deserved Oscar nomination. Teaming again with Day Lewis, the pair played a father and son, Giuseppe and Gary Conlon - part of the Guildford Four, who were falsely convicted of an IRA bombing which killed four off-duty British soldiers, as well as a civilian.

The Usual Suspects (1995)

The spotlight firmly on him, Postlethwaite's next role was in the modern classic The Usual Suspects. In the ensemble cast, Postlethwaite took on the role of Kobayashi.

Romeo + Juliet (1996)

The actor returned to his roots once again, as Friar (or here, "Father") Lawrence in this modern update of Shakespeare's most-read tale.

Amistad (1997)

As mentioned, Spielberg, who directed Postelthwaite in this film, had high praise for the British actor. In 2007, though, Postlethwaite waved aside the praise: "I'm sure what Spielberg actually said was, 'The thing about Pete is that he thinks he's the best actor in the world.'"

The Shipping News (2005)

This film, shot in Newfoundland and based off the story by Annie Proulx, saw Postlethwaite take on the role of the excellently named grizzled newspaperman Tert Card.

The Town (2010)

One of the actor's last roles (he'll be seen in the 2011 film 'Killing Bono') was for director Ben Affleck in The Town, a Boston-set crime thriller. Postlethwaite played an Irish mobster/flwoer shop owner who steals every scene he's in.