BAFTAs Bashed for Omitting Bob Hoskins From 'In Memoriam' Section

The British actor, who died in April, was best known for his breakout role opposite Helen Mirren in 'The Long Good Friday' and his appearance in 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit.'

Film fans have taken to Twitter to bash BAFTA organizers for not including the late actor Bob Hoskins in the award ceremony's annual "In Memoriam" segment on Sunday.

The sequence was heavy on Hollywood talents lost over the past year — including Lauren Bacall, Harold Ramis, Mickey Rooney and Robin Williams — but Hoskins, who died in April, was a notable absence to many viewers in the U.K.

Hoskins came to prominence after his BAFTA-nominated role opposite Helen Mirren in the 1980 British gangster classic The Long Good Friday. He later won the best actor BAFTA in 1986 for Mona Lisa, which was directed by Neil Jordan. Hollywood work followed, including appearances in Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) and Mermaids (1990).

British comedian David Baddiel tweeted that Hoskins' exclusion was "symbolic of the erasure in modern times of the working-class actor." Piers Morgan called it "outrageous," while James Hubbard said BAFTA organizers owed Hoskins' family "a major, groveling apology."

Hoskins retired from acting in 2012 after he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in late 2011. He died of pneumonia on April 9 at the age of 71.

Enjoyed the BAFTAs, albeit often for the wrong reasons. But Bob Hoskins snub was outrageous. — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 8, 2015

I think #BAFTA owe the family of Bob Hoskins a major, grovelling apology. Scandalously ignored tonight. — James Hubbard (@JamesHubbard113) February 8, 2015