Pete Postlethwaite: 1946-2011

Oscar-nominated British actor Pete Postlethwaite, who has been described by director Steven Spielberg as "the best actor in the world," died after a long battle with cancer on Jan. 2, 2011, at age 64. He is pictured here presenting his documentary film "Liyarn Ngarn" at the Sydney Writers Festival on May 21, 2008.

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Pete Postlethwaite attends the premiere of "The Age of Stupid" in Leicester Square on March 15, 2009, in London. Postlethwaite has recently been seen in "Inception" and had worked with Steven Spielberg on "The Lost World: Jurassic Park" and "Amistad." He was nominated for an Oscar for his role in the 1993 film "In The Name Of The Father."

Pete Postlethwaite poses with his family at the "The Age of Stupid" premiere in Leicester Square on March 15, 2009, in London.

Pete Postlethwaite arrives for the world premiere of "The Age of Stupid" in Leicester Square, London, March 15, 2009.

Sophia Loren and Pete Postlethwaite are seen together during a photocall for the film "Between Strangers" at the 59th International Venice Film Festival on Aug. 30, 2002, in Venice, Italy.

This framegrab from the film "The Age of Stupid" shows actor Pete Postlethwaite with the futuristic interface designed specifically for the film.

Pete Postlethwaite attends the screening of "Between Strangers," directed by Sophia Loren's son, Edoardo Ponti, during the 27th Annual Toronto International Film Festival at the Elgin Theatre on Sept. 13, 2002, in Toronto.

Pete Postlethwaite speaks with Paul Hogan, right, during a photocall to promote their movie "Strange Bedfellows," June 2, 2003," at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Sydney.

Actors Marty McCann, left, and Pete Postlethwaite arrive for the premiere of "Closing The Ring" at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland, on Dec. 13, 2007.

Peter Postlethwaite displays his Order of the British Empire or OBE, shortly after the presentation at Buckingham Palace in London on June 9, 2004.

Pete Postlethwaite is seen on the set of "Closing the Ring," on April 20, 2006, in North Belfast, England.

PICTURES: Celebrity Circuit