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English born Actor Pete Postlethwaite, most recently known for his role in “The Town” and “Inception”, died in England at age 64 after a long battle with cancer.

Born in Cheshire, England, in 1946, Postlethwaite was described by Steven Spielberg, with whom he collaborated on “The Lost World: Jurassic Park,” as “probably the best actor in the world.” He trained as a teacher but gave it up by the age of 24 to train as an actor at the Bristol Old Vic theatre, taking a job as a sheet metal worker making beer kegs to get by. He was awarded an Order of the British Empire in 2004. Postlethwaite had continued to work until recently even though he was receiving treatment for cancer, his friend Andrew Richardson told the Press Association.

Postlethwaite was quickly roconized in this films for his unusually shaped face — with prominent cheekbones that gave him a lean, rugged look — and his intense eyes.

Postlethwaite had been a staple of the international film world since the early 1990s. He won a best supporting actor Oscar nomination for it. (When Governor Robert Ehrlich appeared as a guest host at the 2003 Maryland Film Festival, the film he chose to introduce and discuss was “In the Name of the Father.” ) His other notable films included Brassed Off and The Usual Suspects.

Postlethwaite lived in the countryside in west England and was active in opposing the Iraq war and advocating for action on climate change. He died in the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, and is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.