London(CNN) Albert Finney, the Oscar-nominated British actor best known for his roles in "Annie," "Erin Brockovich" and "Tom Jones," has died after a short illness, according to representatives of his family.
"Albert Finney, aged 82, passed away peacefully after a short illness with those closest to him by his side. The family request privacy at this sad time," reads a statement.
In Photos: Albert Finney's screen and stage highlights
Albert Finney, who died this week at 82, made a name for himself in the early 1960s in such films as "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning" and "Tom Jones." Here he appears in the 1981 film "Wolfen."
Finney enjoys a glass of beer in his regular pub behind the Cambridge Theatre in London in 1961. He first gained fame in "angry young men" roles.
Finney became a breakout star playing the title role in the 1963 film "Tom Jones" with Susannah York. He received the first of five Oscar nominations in this adaptation of the Henry Fielding novel, which won the Academy Award for best picture that year.
Finney appears backstage before performing in the play "Luther" in 1963. The actor had a prolific career in both theater and films.
He starred as Audrey Hepburn's husband in the 1967 comedy-drama "Two for the Road."
Finney plays the Dickensian anti-hero Ebenezer Scrooge in "Scrooge," a 1970 musical version of "A Christmas Carol."
Known for his love of character roles, the actor sheds his disguises for this 1972 portrait.
But Finney was almost unrecognizable as detective Hercule Poirot in "Murder on the Orient Express," a 1974 movie with an all-star cast based on the Agatha Christie mystery. It was another Oscar-nominated portrayal for the actor.
Finney spray-paints a wall in 1975 as he gets ready to direct a revival of Joe Orton's "Loot" at the Royal Court Theatre in London.
The actor teams up with Martin Sheen during the 1980 filming of the heist movie "Loophole," which was released the following year.
Finney plays Dr. Larry Roberts in the 1981 science-fiction movie "Looker," which Michael Crichton wrote and directed.
Finney hoofs it up as Daddy Warbucks with Aileen Quinn in the 1982 musical "Annie."
Finney played Julia Roberts' boss in the 2000 film "Erin Brockovich." He received a best supporting actor nomination, his fifth and final Oscar nod.
The actor portrays Winston Churchill in the 2002 TV drama, ''The Gathering Storm.'' Finney picked up a Golden Globe and Emmy for his performance.
Finney played Ed Bloom Sr. in the 2003 movie "Big Fish," directed by Tim Burton. The actor's final film role was in the 007 flick "Skyfall" (2012).
The actor died from a chest infection at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London on Thursday afternoon, according to the UK's Press Association (PA) news agency.
His wife Pene Delmage and son Simon were with Finney at the time of his death.
Born in Salford, England, to a working-class family, Finney joined the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art at the age of 17, according to PA.
He started out acting in the theater before making his film debut in "The Entertainer" in 1960, and starring in "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning" the same year.
The film, a snapshot of working-class life in Britain, known as one of the first "kitchen-sink" dramas, won Finney a BAFTA award for most promising newcomer in 1961.
Finney alongside Julia Roberts in "Erin Brokovich."
Two years later he became a major star after playing the title role in "Tom Jones," for which Finney received the first of five Oscar nominations of his career.
Despite repeated nominations, Finney was apparently no fan of the Academy Awards.
"It seems to me a long way to go just to sit in a non-drinking, non-smoking environment on the off chance your name is called," he said, according to PA.
"It's as if you are entered into a race you don't particularly want to run in."
On the news of his death, the world of theater and film came together to hail Finney's talent.
Actor Rufus Sewell tweeted: "Very sad to hear about Albert Finney. I had the enormous privilege of working with him early on. Apart from being effortlessly great he was also a great all round example of how to behave."
And the Old Vic Theatre in London also tweeted condolences.
"We are very sad to hear of the loss of Albert Finney. His performances in plays by Shakespeare, Chekhov and other iconic playwrights throughout the 60s, 70s and 80s stand apart as some of the greatest in our 200 year history."