Pete Postlethwaite

PETE'S STORY

Steven Spielberg called Pete Postlethwaite "the best actor in the world",^[2] of which Postlethwaite says: "I'm sure what Spielberg actually said was, 'The thing about Pete is that he thinks he's the best actor in the world.'"^[3]

Pete was born in 1946 and grew up in Cheshire, England amid middle-class surroundings. He went to college and while completing his studies developed an interest in theatre, to the chagrin of his family. His father, a laborer, wanted him to find a more secure position in life.

A drama teacher initially, he decided to follow his acting instincts full-time and gradually built up an impressive array of classical stage credits via repertory, including the Bristol Old Vic Drama School and stints with Liverpool Everyman, Machester Royal Exchange and Royal Shakespeare Company. By the 80s he was ready to branch out into film and TV, giving a startling performance as a wife abuser in the British film Distant Voices, Still Lives (1988). His highly distinctive features were subsequently put to good use in a number of versatile roles, usually menacing but sometimes humble, and most frequently as working-class types.

By 1993 he had crossed over into Hollywood parts and earned his first Oscar nomination for his superb role as Daniel Day-Lewis' father in In the Name of the Father (1993). Other quality roles came his way with The Usual Suspects (1995), Brassed Off (1996), and Amistad (1997). Television has been a creative and positive venue as well with such fine work in "Sharpe's Company" (1994), Lost for Words (1999) and The Sins (2000). Working equally both here and abroad these days, Postlethwaite avoids the public limelight for the most part and lives quietly in England.

PETE GETS A WIND TURBINE

http://www.shropshirestar.com/2007/05/movie-star-pete-going-green/

"Shropshire’s Oscar-nominated movie star Pete Postlethwaite is planning to invest thousands of pounds making his country home one of the most environmentally-friendly in the county.

Mr Postlethwaite owns a house in the south Shropshire countryside, near Bishop’s Castle, and wants to install a range of ecologically-responsible features....."

PETE'S QUOTES

"At the end of the day, acting is all about telling lies. We are professional imposters and the audience accept that. We've made this deal that we tell you a tale and a pack of lies, but there will be a truth in it. You may enjoy it, or it will disturb you."

THE AGE OF STUPID DIARY ENTRIES

PETE'S VIDEO