Actor Pete Postlethwaite dead at 64 after battle with cancer

Steven Spielberg once called the Oscar-nominated actor Pete Postlethwaite "the best actor in the world," to which Postlethwaite responded, "I'm sure what Spielberg actually said was, 'the thing about Pete is that he thinks he's the best actor in the world."

Spielberg, who worked with Postlethwaite on "The Lost World: Jurassic Park" and "Amistad," will be one of many mourning today as a rep has confirmed that Postlethwaite passed away on Sunday, Jan. 2, after a painful battle with cancer. The official cause of death is unknown, but Postlethwaite's struggle with testicular cancer began in 1990.

He was nominated for an Oscar for his role in "In the Name of the Father" in 1993, and he is also renowned for his turn as Kobayashi in "The Usual Suspects." Most recently, Postlethwaite appeared in "Inception" and "The Town."

Postlethwaite is survived by Jackie, his wife of seven years, and their two children: William (21) and Lily (14  - pictured above). His family has asked for privacy at this time.