There was sadness all around last year when Bob Hoskins announced that he was retiring from acting following his ongoing battles with Parkinson’s Disease. Right on cue then, in 2013, comes the 25th anniversary re-release of one of the great actor’s finest roles, as detective Freddy Valiant in the film that kick started the Walt Disney animation empire, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

Check out this classic clip from Who Framed Roger Rabbit? 

Two clips have emerged from the classic film, which is being released on blu-ray DVD in celebration of the film’s first release back in 1988. It took some $70 million at the box office and revived Walt Disney after a long period where interest in its animated pictures was starting to slide to an all-time low. By mixing animated characters and real life actors, the film was something of a pioneer at the time, and it was the huge success of it that led to the classic run that included the likes of The Lion King, Beauty & The Beast and Aladdin. With the move into computerized animation the rest, as they say, has been history.

Another classic clip. The Blu-Ray DVD is released on March 12, 2013

When Bob Hoskins announced his retirement last summer, a statement by his agent read: "He wishes to thank all the great and brilliant people he has worked with over the years, and all of his fans who have supported him during a wonderful career. Bob is now looking forward to his retirement with his family, and would greatly appreciate that his privacy be respected at this time." It’s a retirement well-earned, Bob.

Bob Hoskins

We ruddy love Bob Hoskins here at Contactmusic