Pete Postlethwaite Dead Video

The great grizzled British character actor Pete Postlethwaite has died, too young to go at age 64.

The star of Brassed Off and The Usual Suspects died peacefully in hospital in Shropshire on Sunday after a long battle with cancer.

He had continued to work until recent months despite receiving treatment.

Mr Postlethwaite, who was made an OBE in the 2004 New Year's Honours List, was once described by director Steven Spielberg as "the best actor in the world".

Postlethwaite was nominated for an Oscar in 1993 and was once described by Steven Spielberg as "the best actor in the world."
Postlethwaite lived in the hills of rural Shropshire, in western England. He was a political activist known for his opposition to the recent war in Iraq and his call for policies to fight global warming.

He had recently returned to the stage to star as King Lear.

The actor had been treated at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. Shortly before his death he publicly thanked the hospital staff in the Shropshire Star newspaper for their "wonderful" treatment and care during his illness.
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