Family says British actor Albert Finney has died at 82

 

 British actor Albert Finney arrives to the premiere of his new film 'Erin Brockovich' in Los Angeles, CA 14 March 2000. The film also stars Julia Roberts and is directed by Steven Soderbergh. Finney died at the age of 82.

British actor Albert Finney, the Academy Award-nominated star of films from "Tom Jones" to "Skyfall," has died at the age of 82.

Finney's family said Friday that he "passed away peacefully after a short illness with those closest to him by his side."

Finney was a rare star who managed to avoid the Hollywood limelight for more than five decades after bursting to international fame in 1963 in the title role of "Tom Jones."

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The film gained him the first of five Oscar nominations. Others followed for "Murder on the Orient Express," "The Dresser," "Under the Volcano" and "Erin Brockovich."

In later years he brought authority to action movies, including the James Bond thriller "Skyfall" and two of the Bourne films.