Born: May 9, 1936 – Died: February 7, 2019
From the bustling streets of Salford, Lancashire, emerged a titan of the silver screen: Albert Finney. Born to a bookie father and a doting mother on May 9, 1936, Finney's roots were as humble as they were honest. He didn't just act—he etched his presence into the fabric of cinema with performances that continue to echo through the halls of Hollywood.
Early Life and Career
Albert's life in the North of England was a foundation of grit and character. Education was a pathway to something greater, as he demonstrated by attending the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, sharing corridors with the likes of Peter O'Toole. 1956 marked his entry into professional acting, with a debut role that turned heads and laid the groundwork for a legendary career.
By 1960, Finney was not just a face on a poster, but a symbol of cinematic innovation, skyrocketing to fame with his portrayal of the irrepressible 'Arthur Seaton' in "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning." Recognition followed as naturally as night follows day, with a raft of awards celebrating his roles across genres, from the BAFTAs to Oscar nominations. Off-screen, his life was just as rich, filled with the warmth of family, the intrigue of his off-camera pursuits, and a steadfast commitment to charitable causes.
His legacy? It's the charisma he brought to every role, the refusal to be confined by class or typecast, and the inspiration he gave to generations of actors. In the annals of film, he is not just a footnote, but a chapter unto himself, a master of his craft and an undying emblem of what it means to be a true star.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Skyfall | Kincade |
| 2012 | The Bourne Legacy | Dr. Albert Hirsch |
| 2007 | Before the Devil Knows You're Dead | Charles |
| 2007 | The Bourne Ultimatum | Dr. Albert Hirsch |
| 2006 | Amazing Grace | John Newton |
| 2006 | A Good Year | Uncle Henry |
| 2005 | Aspects of Love | George Dillingham |
| 2005 | Corpse Bride | Finis Everglot (voice) |
| 2004 | Ocean's Twelve | Gaspar LeMarque (uncredited) |
| 2003 | Big Fish | Ed Bloom (senior) |
| 2001–2003 | My Uncle Silas (TV Series) | Uncle Silas |
| 2002 | The Gathering Storm (TV Movie) | Winston Churchill |
| 2001 | Delivering Milo | Elmore Dahl |
| 2001 | Hemingway, the Hunter of Death | Ernest Hemingway |
| 2000 | Traffic | Chief of Staff |
| 2000 | *Erin Brockovich* | Ed Masry |
| 1999 | Simpatico | Simms |
| 1999 | Breakfast of Champions | Kilgore Trout |
| 1998 | A Rather English Marriage (TV Movie) | Reggie Conyngham-Jervis |
| 1997 | Washington Square | Dr. Austin Sloper |
| 1996–1997 | Nostromo (TV Mini Series) | Dr. Monygham |
| 1996 | Cold Lazarus (TV Mini Series) | Daniel Feeld |
| 1996 | Karaoke (TV Mini Series) | Daniel Feeld |
| 1995 | The Run of the Country | Danny's Father |
| 1994 | A Man of No Importance | Alfred Byrne |
| 1994 | The Browning Version | Andrew Crocker-Harris |
| 1992 | Rich in Love | Warren Odom |
| 1992 | The Playboys | Constable Brendan Hegarty |
| 1990 | The Green Man (TV Mini Series) | Maurice |
| 1990 | Miller's Crossing | Leo |
| 1990 | The Image (TV Movie) | Jason Cromwell |
| 1989 | The Endless Game (TV Mini Series) | Alec Hillsden |
| 1987 | A Simple Man (TV Movie) | Introduction |
| 1987 | Orphans | Harold |
| 1984 | The Biko Inquest (TV Movie) | Sidney Kentridge, for Biko family |
| 1984 | Under the Volcano | Geoffrey Firmin |
| 1984 | Pope John Paul II (TV Movie) | Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II) |
| 1983 | The Dresser | Sir |
| 1982 | Annie | Daddy Warbucks |
| 1982 | Shoot the Moon | George Dunlap |
| 1981 | Looker | Dr. Larry Roberts |
| 1981 | Wolfen | Dewey Wilson |
| 1981 | Loophole | Mike Daniels |
| 1977 | The Duellists | Fouché |
| 1975 | The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother | Man in Audience at Opera (uncredited) |
| 1975 | Forget-Me-Not-Lane (TV Movie) | Frank |
| 1974 | *Murder on the Orient Express* | Hercule Poirot |
| 1974 | Alpha Beta (TV Movie) | Frank Elliot |
| 1971 | Gumshoe | Eddie Ginley |
| 1970 | Scrooge | Ebenezer Scrooge |
| 1969 | The Picasso Summer | George Smith |
| 1968 | Charlie Bubbles | Charlie Bubbles |
| 1967 | Two for the Road | Mark Wallace |
| 1964 | Night Must Fall | Danny |
| 1963 | The Victors | Russian Soldier |
| 1963 | Tom Jones | Tom Jones |
| 1960 | Theatre Night (TV Series) | Billy Fisher |
| 1960 | Saturday Night and Sunday Morning | Arthur Seaton |
| 1960 | The Entertainer | Mick Rice |
| 1959 | A Midsummer Night's Dream (TV Movie) | Lysander |
| 1959 | Emergency-Ward 10 (TV Series) | Tom Fletcher |
| 1958 | BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (TV Series) | Arnold |
| 1957 | The Claverdon Road Job (TV Movie) | PC George Grayson |
| 1956 | The Miser (TV Movie) | Cléante |
| 1956 | She Stoops to Conquer (TV Movie) | Mr. Hardcastle |