Tom Wilkinson has died aged 75, his family have announced.
The British Oscar-nominated actor was well known for his role in
He won a BAFTA Award for playing , as well as a Golden Globe, and a Primetime Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Film for the role of Benjamin Franklin in John Adams.
The star’s family released a statement today, which reads: ‘It is with great sadness that the family of Tom Wilkinson announce that he died suddenly at home on December 30.
‘His wife and family were with him.
‘The family asks for privacy at this time.’
Wilkinson, who was born on February 5 1948, began acting in theatre and on TV with his appearance as Mr Pecksniff, in the BBC 1994 adaptation of Martin Chuzzlewit being particularly celebrated.
After success on The Full Monty, he gained more film credits, which included star roles in Sense and Sensibility, Batman Begins, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and The Grand Budapest Hotel.
He was Oscar-nominated after playing Dr Matt Fowler in the 2001 film In the Bedroom, and for playing Arthur Edens in 2007 thriller Michael Clayton.
In the 2005 New Year Honours, Wilkinson – who had more than 130 film and TV credits in total – was awarded an OBE for services to Drama.
Wilkinson discussed his reason for pursuing movies in his 40s in a 2011 ‘I saw a lot of my friends doing films, and there’s a bit of you that says, “I want to sit down with the big boys”.’
He also revealed that he briefly considered not taking The Full Monty job in favour of a TV series: ‘I was simultaneously offered the lead in a TV series and a possible part in a low-budget movie. I remember phoning a friend and he said, “Take the TV, take the TV”. But I didn’t follow his advice, and the TV turned out to be crap.’
He recently reunited with the cast for a Disney Plus series, which was once again entitled The Full Monty, which caught up with the characters 25 years later and was released in June.
Many of Wilkinson’s colleagues paid tribute to him.
Michael Clayton co-star George Clooney told Variety: ‘Tom made every project better. Made every actor better. He was the epitome of elegance and he will be dearly missed by all of us.’
Robert Carlyle, who acted alongside Wilkinson in The Full Monty told PA: ‘So sad to hear of the passing of Tom. A wonderful man, he will be sorely missed by everyone who had the pleasure of working with him.
‘A brilliant actor, truly one of the greats of not only his but of any generation. RIP Tom Wilkinson.’
‘I’m no good at this but feel like I need to say it. Today we lost a brother. What we all went through nearly 30 years ago changed so much about our lives but one thing remained. Us.
‘Our full Monty family. And today we said goodbye to one of them. Tom Wilkinson was hilarious, gentle, kind and generous with his time and talent. Rest in peace Tom. You will be sorely missed my friend,’ added fellow The Full Monty star William Snape on Instagram.
American filmmaker Scott Derrickson recalled a time when the actor gave him a surprise kiss on the lips whilst on the set of The Exorcism Of Emily Rose.
On X, formerly Twitter, the film director wrote: “When we wrapped The Exorcism of Emily Rose, I went to him to say goodbye.
“As I went in for a hug, he turned sideways and put one arm around my shoulder.
“I said, ‘Well that’s a British hug if I’ve ever had one…’
“He frowned at me, then grabbed my face and kissed me right on the lips for a good five seconds, then declared loudly, ‘Don’t ever insult British affection or sense of romance! We invented the stuff!’”
Wilkinson married actor Diana Hardcastle in 1988, and they had two daughters, Alice and Molly.
