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From CNN:

London (CNN)Albert Finney, the Oscar-nominated British actor best known for his roles in "Annie," "Erin Brockovich" and "Tom Jones," has died after a short illness, according to representatives of his family.

"Albert Finney, aged 82, passed away peacefully after a short illness with those closest to him by his side. The family request privacy at this sad time," reads a statement.
Born in Salford, UK, Finney started out acting in the theater.
He then made his film debut in "The Entertainer" in 1960, and starred in "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning" that same year.
The film, a snapshot of working-class life in Britain, won Finney a BAFTA award for most promising newcomer in 1961.
Two years later he became a major star after playing the title role in "Tom Jones," for which Finney received the first of five Oscar nominations of his career.
Despite repeated nominations, Finney was apparently no fan of the Academy Awards.
"It seems to me a long way to go just to sit in a non-drinking, non-smoking environment on the off chance your name is called," he said, according to the UK's Press Association news agency.
"It's as if you are entered into a race you don't particularly want to run in."
On the news of his death, the world of theater and film came together to hail Finney's talent.
Actor Rufus Sewell tweeted: "Very sad to hear about Albert Finney. I had the enormous privilege of working with him early on. Apart from being effortlessly great he was also a great all round example of how to behave."
And the Old Vic Theatre in London also tweeted condolences.
"We are very sad to hear of the loss of Albert Finney. His performances in plays by Shakespeare, Chekhov and other iconic playwrights throughout the 60s, 70s and 80s stand apart as some of the greatest in our 200 year history."

I really liked him. I just went to IMDB to see what all he was in. I was surprised how few entries he had, 65 as an actor. I would have thought he would have had a much busier career, similar to Gene Hackman (100 credits).

BackInTex wrote:I really liked him. I just went to IMDB to see what all he was in. I was surprised how few entries he had, 65 as an actor. I would have thought he would have had a much busier career, similar to Gene Hackman (100 credits).

Michael Caine took all the Finney roles.

Vandal wrote:

BackInTex wrote:I really liked him. I just went to IMDB to see what all he was in. I was surprised how few entries he had, 65 as an actor. I would have thought he would have had a much busier career, similar to Gene Hackman (100 credits).

Michael Caine took all the Finney roles.

Finney was very selective in the roles he took, less than one a year in his heyday, unlike Caine, who would take on virtually any project.

I thought he was far better as Hercule Poirot in the original Murder on the Orient Express than Kenneth Branagh was in the remake, and he was brilliant as an alcoholic in Under the Volcano (a very depressing film, as many good films about destructive alcoholism are). His best role since then was probably Big Fish, and he didn't even get an Oscar nomination for that one.

RIP

Michael Caine talked about how, until The Cider House Rules in the late 90s, he took nearly every job offered to him. His self-esteem was not great. After that movie, though, he had a moment of truth where he understood that he could be more selective.

I only ever saw Finney in The Dresser, and thought he was great as a very unlikable character. Sad story, though.

I have always referenced Two for the Road when discussing our honeymoon driving around France.

Beebs52 wrote:I have always referenced Two for the Road when discussing our honeymoon driving around France.

I think that's the first film with him that I saw.