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.

Photos: In Photos: Albert Finney's screen and stage highlights Photos: In Photos: Albert Finney's screen and stage highlights Albert Finney, who died this week at 82, made a name for himself in the early 1960s in such films as "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning" and "Tom Jones." Here he appears in the 1981 film "Wolfen." Hide Caption 1 of 15 Photos: In Photos: Albert Finney's screen and stage highlights Finney enjoys a glass of beer in his regular pub behind the Cambridge Theatre in London in 1961. He first gained fame in "angry young men" roles. Hide Caption 2 of 15 Photos: In Photos: Albert Finney's screen and stage highlights Finney became a breakout star playing the title role in the 1963 film "Tom Jones" with Susannah York. He received the first of five Oscar nominations in this adaptation of the Henry Fielding novel, which won the Academy Award for best picture that year. Hide Caption 3 of 15 Photos: In Photos: Albert Finney's screen and stage highlights Finney appears backstage before performing in the play "Luther" in 1963. The actor had a prolific career in both theater and films. Hide Caption 4 of 15 Photos: In Photos: Albert Finney's screen and stage highlights He starred as Audrey Hepburn's husband in the 1967 comedy-drama "Two for the Road." Hide Caption 5 of 15 Photos: In Photos: Albert Finney's screen and stage highlights Finney plays the Dickensian anti-hero Ebenezer Scrooge in "Scrooge," a 1970 musical version of "A Christmas Carol." Hide Caption 6 of 15 Photos: In Photos: Albert Finney's screen and stage highlights Known for his love of character roles, the actor sheds his disguises for this 1972 portrait. Hide Caption 7 of 15 Photos: In Photos: Albert Finney's screen and stage highlights But Finney was almost unrecognizable as detective Hercule Poirot in "Murder on the Orient Express," a 1974 movie with an all-star cast based on the Agatha Christie mystery. It was another Oscar-nominated portrayal for the actor. Hide Caption 8 of 15 Photos: In Photos: Albert Finney's screen and stage highlights Finney spray-paints a wall in 1975 as he gets ready to direct a revival of Joe Orton's "Loot" at the Royal Court Theatre in London. Hide Caption 9 of 15 Photos: In Photos: Albert Finney's screen and stage highlights The actor teams up with Martin Sheen during the 1980 filming of the heist movie "Loophole," which was released the following year. Hide Caption 10 of 15 Photos: In Photos: Albert Finney's screen and stage highlights Finney plays Dr. Larry Roberts in the 1981 science-fiction movie "Looker," which Michael Crichton wrote and directed. Hide Caption 11 of 15 Photos: In Photos: Albert Finney's screen and stage highlights Finney hoofs it up as Daddy Warbucks with Aileen Quinn in the 1982 musical "Annie." Hide Caption 12 of 15 Photos: In Photos: Albert Finney's screen and stage highlights Finney played Julia Roberts' boss in the 2000 film "Erin Brockovich." He received a best supporting actor nomination, his fifth and final Oscar nod. Hide Caption 13 of 15 Photos: In Photos: Albert Finney's screen and stage highlights The actor portrays Winston Churchill in the 2002 TV drama, ''The Gathering Storm.'' Finney picked up a Golden Globe and Emmy for his performance. Hide Caption 14 of 15 Photos: In Photos: Albert Finney's screen and stage highlights Finney played Ed Bloom Sr. in the 2003 movie "Big Fish," directed by Tim Burton. The actor's final film role was in the 007 flick "Skyfall" (2012). Hide Caption 15 of 15

The actor died from a chest infection at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London on Thursday afternoon, according to the UK's Press Association (PA) news agency.

Finney in "Annie."

His wife Pene Delmage and son Simon were with Finney at the time of his death.

Born in Salford, England, to a working-class family, Finney joined the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art at the age of 17, according to PA.

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