Actor Tom Wilkinson, 75, died. His most famous role was in “The Full Monty,” and his family issued a statement confirming the news.
On February 17, 2015, English actor Tom Wilkinson posed for cameras on the red carpet before the film’s Royal and World Premiere in central London, titled “The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.”
Actor Tom Wilkinson, who twice received Oscar nominations and appeared in the movie “The Full Monty,” which followed a group of unemployed steelworkers as they pursued careers as strippers, passed away on Saturday.
In a statement sent by his agent on behalf of his family, the British actor’s passing was confirmed.
“Tom Wilkinson passed away unexpectedly at home on December 30. His wife and family were with him, and the family announces this with deep sadness.”
Two Academy Award nominations for “In the Bedroom” (2001) and “Michael Clayton” (2007, for a supporting role) were among his many honors.
Most recently, he reappeared in the Disney series of the same name alongside the co-stars of “Full Monty,” Robert Carlyle and Mark Addy.
In addition to being nominated for three other awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, the original 1997 smash hit about an unlikely bunch of men stripping won an Oscar for Best Original Musical comedic or comedic score.
Gerald Cooper, an ex-foreman who was brought in to assist the jobless men in dancing, was portrayed by Wilkinson.
For the part, the actor was also awarded a Bafta for Best Supporting Actor.
“A true titan of an actor, one of the greats of not only his but of any generation,” was how Carlyle described his co-star.
Growing up in a farming family in Leeds, Wilkinson attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. He went on to earn over 130 credits in cinema and television, including roles in shows like Shakespeare in Love, Batman Begins, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
His first acting job was on the British miniseries “First Among Equals” in 1986. He later married actress Diana Hardcastle in 1988, and the two have two daughters together.
Wilkinson’s co-star in “Michael Clayton,” American actor George Clooney, stated to Variety that Tom “made every project better. Made every actor better. We shall all miss him greatly since he was the height of elegance.”
In the 2018 black comedy “Dead in a Week (Or Your Money Back),” actor Aneurin Barnard (of “Peaky Blinders”) portrayed Wilkinson and expressed his sadness upon learning of his co-star’s demise.
“We are saying goodbye to one of our amazing legends, Tom X.For now, bye until we cross paths again.”
In the HBO series “John Adams,” Wilkinson played American politician Benjamin Franklin, opposite Paul Giamatti, and was awarded a 2008 Emmy and a 2009 Golden Globe.
Known for his parts in character roles, he has also landed roles in the BBC adaptation of “Martin Chuzzlewit,” the 1995 adaptation of “Sense and Sensibility” by Jane Austen, the 2014 Wes Anderson comedy-drama “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” and the 2011 ensemble comedy “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.”
Wilkinson was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2005 in recognition of his contributions to theater.