Pete Postlethwaite

Date of Birth: February 7, 1946

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: January 2, 2011

Biography

Peter William Postlethwaite, known professionally as Pete Postlethwaite, was a renowned English actor, celebrated for his versatile performances in film, television, and theatre. Born on February 7, 1946, in Warrington, Lancashire, England, Postlethwaite initially trained as a teacher before pursuing a career in acting. He attended the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, and his early career was marked by his work with the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool. Postlethwaite’s breakout role came in the 1988 film “Distant Voices, Still Lives,” directed by Terence Davies. He subsequently earned widespread acclaim for his role in the 1993 film “In the Name of the Father,” for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. His other notable films include “The Usual Suspects” (1995), “Brassed Off” (1996), “The Lost World: Jurassic Park” (1997), and “Inception” (2010). Postlethwaite was known for his distinctive looks and intense, often character-driven performances. He worked until his death on January 2, 2011, leaving behind a legacy as one of Britain’s finest character actors.

5 Interesting Facts about Pete Postlethwaite

1. Pete Postlethwaite was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2004 New Year Honours for his services to drama.

2. Director Steven Spielberg once called Postlethwaite “the best actor in the world.”

3. He was originally considered for the role of King Théoden in “The Lord of the Rings” film series.

4. Postlethwaite was an avid environmentalist and starred in the climate change film “The Age of Stupid” (2009).

5. He founded and ran a theatre company, The Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse, in his early career.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Pete Postlethwaite

1. “The thing about performance, even if it’s only an illusion, is that it is a celebration of the fact that we do contain within ourselves infinite possibilities.”

2. “I refuse to take myself too seriously. I learnt that from Roger Rabbit.”

3. “As a character actor, you have to make people believe who you are and get them to buy into your story.”

4. “I think the more you do, the more you learn to do. I’m a great believer in just getting on with it.”

5. “The most important thing is to keep your integrity, to be true to yourself. You mustn’t be swayed by people who are going to change your life or make you do things you don’t want to do.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Pete Postlethwaite’s net worth was estimated to be around $2 million.

Children

Pete Postlethwaite had two children: a son named William John Postlethwaite, born in 1989, and a daughter named Lily Kathleen Postlethwaite, born in 1996.