Tom Wilkinson

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21 Feb 2024

Tom Wilkinson

Thomas Geoffrey Wilkinson OBE, born on February 5, 1948, was a highly acclaimed English actor known for his versatile performances on both stage and screen. He received numerous awards and nominations throughout his career, including a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Primetime Emmy Award. In recognition of his contributions to the arts, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2005.

Wilkinson's acting journey began with training at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He made his debut in London's West End portraying Horatio in "Hamlet" in 1980, earning a nomination for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. He further solidified his stage presence with a notable performance as Dr. Stockmann in Henrik Ibsen's "An Enemy of the People" in 1988, earning a nomination for Actor of the Year in a Revival at the Laurence Olivier Awards.

His breakthrough on the big screen came with the film "The Full Monty" in 1997, for which he won the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. He subsequently received Academy Award nominations for Best Actor for his role in "In the Bedroom" (2001) and Best Supporting Actor for "Michael Clayton" (2007).
Wilkinson established himself as a distinguished character actor, appearing in a wide range of films including "In the Name of the Father" (1993), "Sense and Sensibility" (1995), "Shakespeare in Love" (1998), "The Patriot" (2000), "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" (2004), "Batman Begins" (2005), "Valkyrie" (2008), "The Ghost Writer" (2010), "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" (2011), "Belle" (2013), "Selma" (2014), "The Grand Budapest Hotel" (2014), and "Denial" (2016).

In addition to his film work, Wilkinson achieved success in television, winning a Golden Globe Award and a Primetime Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie for his portrayal of Benjamin Franklin in the HBO series "John Adams" (2008). He received Emmy nominations for his roles in other productions such as "Normal" (2003), "Recount" (2008), and "The Kennedys" (2011), showcasing his versatility across various genres and mediums.

Thomas Geoffrey Wilkinson was born on February 5, 1948, in Leeds, West Riding of Yorkshire, England. He was the son of Marjorie and Thomas Wilkinson, who worked as a farmer. When he was 11 years old, Wilkinson's family relocated to Kitimat, British Columbia, Canada, where they lived for five years before returning to the United Kingdom. Upon their return, they ran a pub in Cornwall.
Wilkinson pursued higher education in English and American literature at the University of Kent at Canterbury. During his time at university, he developed a strong interest in acting and directing, actively participating in the University of Kent Drama Society, which is now known as T24 Drama Society. After completing his undergraduate degree, Wilkinson enrolled at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, where he graduated in 1973, honing his skills in acting.

After making his stage debut at the Nottingham Playhouse, Wilkinson ventured into the world of film in 1976 with his first role in the thriller "Smuga cienia," directed by Andrzej Wajda, based on Joseph Conrad's short novel "The Shadow Line." He then joined the esteemed Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) and made his West End debut as Horatio in the 1981 RSC production of William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" at the Aldwych Theatre. This performance earned him a nomination for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

Wilkinson continued to expand his repertoire with supporting roles in various films, including the British thriller "Parker" (1984), the biographical film "Sylvia" (1985), and the mystery "Wetherby" (1985). Additionally, he appeared in several British television series, notably portraying Raymond Gould in the ITV mini-series "First Among Equals" (1986). Simultaneously, Wilkinson showcased his talent on both television and the West End stage, starring in Henrik Ibsen's "Ghosts" while also appearing in "First Among Equals."

In 1988, Wilkinson took on the role of Dr. Stockmann in a West End production of Ibsen's "An Enemy of the People" at the Playhouse Theatre, earning a nomination for the Laurence Olivier Award for Actor of the Year in a Revival. His versatility and skill as an actor became increasingly recognized, leading to critical acclaim for his portrayal of Seth Pecksniff in the BBC's 1994 adaptation of Martin Chuzzlewit, based on the Charles Dickens novel of the same name.

Wilkinson's versatility as an actor was further demonstrated in the 1995 film "Sense and Sensibility," directed by Ang Lee, where he portrayed the dying father, Mr. Dashwood, in a pivotal role. He then took on a villainous role in the adventure drama "The Ghost and the Darkness" (1996).
In 1997, Wilkinson garnered widespread acclaim for his leading role as Gerald Cooper in the ensemble cast comedy drama "The Full Monty." His performance earned him the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. That same year, he portrayed the Marquess of Queensberry in the biographical drama "Wilde" and Hugh Stratton in the romantic drama "Oscar and Lucinda."

Continuing his successful streak, Wilkinson appeared in the British romantic costume drama "Shakespeare in Love" (1998), which starred Gwyneth Paltrow, Joseph Fiennes, Geoffrey Rush, and Judi Dench. The film received critical acclaim, and Wilkinson, along with the cast, won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. He showcased his versatility once again by playing the villainous character of the evil British Ambassador/Juntao in the buddy cop movie "Rush Hour" (1998) alongside Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. Additionally, he portrayed General Lord Cornwallis in the historical war drama film "The Patriot" (2000), starring Mel Gibson and Heath Ledger.