Trivia

One of his biggest fans was Daniel Day-Lewis, who used to watch Postlethwaite perform on stage frequently during his impressionable years as a youngster. It was Day-Lewis who recommended him for the father role in In the Name of the Father (1993).

He is the only actor in Romeo + Juliet (1996) who speaks in iambic pentameter, the rhythm of speech William Shakespeare's plays are written in.

Steven Spielberg called him "The best actor in the world".

Pete Postlethwaite was sought after for a role in Gangs of New York but turned it down when he was offered a reduced salary. He said "It was the biggest dream of my life to work with Scorsese but I thought it was a bit of a scam. Oh well." He also stated that his friends and previous co-stars Daniel Day-Lewis and Leonardo DiCaprio were not offered reduced salaries to star in the film.

Postlethwaite's nose was broken when he played rugby as a child and was re-broken years later as an adult following several barroom brawls.

At the beginning of one hit wonder "Tubthumping" by Chumbawamba, it's his voice that says these words from the movie Brassed Off (1996): "Truth is I thought it mattered, I thought that music mattered. But does it bollocks! Not compared to how people matter".

He and his wife, a BBC drama assistant, had one child, Billy Postlethwaite (b. 1989). He was also the father of Lily Postlethwaite (b. 1996) by his relationship with Jacqueline Morrish).

Started smoking when he was ten. He continued to smoke heavily until his death, despite admitting it was his "biggest regret".

His portrait by Christopher Thompson was acquired by The National Portrait Gallery.

He once let an agent go after the agent suggested Pete change his last name to something more marquee-friendly.

A political activist, he demonstrated in the streets to oppose the war in Iraq.

Pete Postlethwaite was the youngest of four children born to working-class Roman Catholic parents, William and Mary Geraldine (née Lawless) Postlethwaite in Warrington (near Liverpool). He had two sisters, Anne and Patricia, and a brother, Michael (1944-2006). He attended St Benedict's RC Junior School and a seminary. He then joined the 4th form at West Park Grammar School, St Helens (Merseyside), and spent an extra year re-sitting some O-levels and then took four A-levels in English, history, geography and French. He trained as a teacher at St Mary's University College (Strawberry Hill, Twickenham), majoring in physical education and drama. He later taught drama at Loreto College, Manchester, a Catholic girls convent school.

Turned down major roles in Gone in 60 Seconds (2000) and Gangs of New York (2002).

Romantically involved with actress Julie Walters during his years at the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool.

Last name is pronounced "POSS-ul-thwait".

Although he played Irish characters in several films he was not of Irish descent himself.

He was awarded OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2004 New Year's Honors List for his services to drama. On 16 November 2009, when the Labour government, of which he had been a lifelong supporter, was contemplating commissioning a coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth in Kent, he threatened in a speech to Ed Miliband, then Climate Change Minister, to hand back his OBE if the Government went ahead with their plans. The proposal to build a new power station at Kingsnorth was shelved by the coalition government in October 2010.

He was criticized for saying people should never burn coal, despite claiming that he supported striking miners.

He and his Treasure Island (1990) co-star Charlton Heston both portrayed the Player King in film adaptations of "Hamlet": Postlethwaite in Hamlet (1990) and Heston in Hamlet (1996).

Longtime friend of Sue Johnston.

Granted an honorary degree from The University of Liverpool in 2006, alongside British actress Alison Steadman and founders of the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool, Terry Hands and Martin Jenkins.

Was considered for a role in Martin Scorsese's Gangs of New York (2002).

He was listed as a potential nominee on the 2006 Razzie Award nominating ballot. He was listed as a suggestion in the Worst Supporting Actor category for his performance in the film Æon Flux (2005). However he failed to receive a nomination.

Pete spent a short time working as a welder then did a teacher training course then when 24 applied to join the Old Vic.

Lives with Jacqui and 2 children near Shrewsbury.