British Oscar-nominated actor Tom Wilkinson, finest identified for his function in The Full Monty, has died aged 75, his household has introduced.
The Yorkshire-born star performed the character Gerald Cooper within the 1997 comedy, which tells the story of a gaggle of redundant steelworkers from Sheffield on their journey to arrange an all-male striptease act.
Wilkinson obtained a BAFTA for finest supporting actor for his efficiency.
He additionally featured within the 1998 romcom Shakespeare In Love, the 2005 Christopher Nolan blockbuster Batman Begins, and starred alongside Dame Judi Dench, Dame Penelope Wilton, and Bill Nighy, within the all-British ensemble forged of the 2011 comedy-drama The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
Wilkinson was at dwelling along with his spouse and household when he died out of the blue on Saturday, his household mentioned in an announcement.
Robert Carlye, Tom Wilkinson, Hugo Speer, Steve Huison, and Paul Barber, in The Full Monty. Pic: 20thC.Fox/Everett/Shutterstock
Tom Wilkinson in The Full Monty Pic: Moviestore/Shutterstock
“It is with great sadness that the family of Tom Wilkinson announce that he died suddenly at home on 30 December. His wife and family were with him,” an announcement shared by his agent on behalf of the household mentioned.
Peaky Blinders and Dunkirk actor Aneurin Barnard, who starred reverse Wilkinson in Dead In A Week (Or Your Money Back), paid tribute to the star, describing him as a “legend”.
“I am very sad to hear the passing of Tom Wilkinson. I had a very great time getting to know him and working with him,” he wrote in a put up on X.
“One of our wonderful legends that we say goodbye to. Bye for now Tom.”
The Strays and All About Eve star, Michael Warburton, described Wilkinson as a “superlative Actor”.
“Very sad news that one of our finest has left us aged 75. RIP Tom Wilkinson,” he wrote on X.
Singer Will Young additionally paid tribute to a “friend” and “British acting royalty”.
“Goodbye friend. Funny, bloody smart, helped me with auditions along with (Diana Hardcastle) and what a terrific actor,” he wrote on Instagram.
“British acting royalty. I salute you, dear Tom.”
Award-winning actor
Across an illustrious profession spanning almost 50 years, Wilkinson received a bunch of performing awards, in addition to two Oscar nominations.
He starred alongside Dame Judi Dench and Bill Nighy in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Pic: FoxSearch/Everett/Shutterstock
The first was for finest actor for his efficiency within the 2001 drama In the Bedroom.
He was additionally nominated for finest supporting actor for his efficiency within the 2007 authorized thriller Michael Clayton, starring George Clooney.
Wilkinson received a Golden Globe and an Emmy for finest supporting actor for his efficiency as Benjamin Franklin within the 2008 HBO collection John Adams.
Tom Wilkinson received a Golden Globe for the 2008 HBO collection John Adams
From Yorkshire to Hollywood
Born the son of farmers within the Yorkshire valley of Wharfedale in 1948, Wilkinson moved along with his household to Canada as a younger boy, however returned 5 years later.
He studied English and American literature on the University of Kent, the place he developed a eager curiosity in performing after being requested to direct a play.
He later educated on the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London.
Wilkinson received his first break in performing in 1976, occurring to make appearances in various British tv reveals – essentially the most notable being the 1986 political drama, First Among Equals, which was primarily based on Jeffrey Archer’s novel of the identical identify.
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Tom Wilkinson in Shakespeare in Love
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But it was his starring function in The Full Monty for which he gained fame and significant acclaim, enjoying Gerald Arthur Cooper – a metal manufacturing unit foreman who makes an attempt to cover his redundancy from his spouse.
After seeing Cooper’s spouse at a dance class, the movie’s two essential characters, Gaz and Dave, performed by Robert Carlyle and Mark Addy, recruit her to assist them be taught to bop for his or her Chippendale-style striptease act.
His BAFTA-winning efficiency within the movie was adopted by a string of high-profile performing credit, together with the mobster Carmine Falcone within the 2005 Hollywood blockbuster Batman Begins.
Wilkinson was awarded on OBE for providers to performing within the 2005 New Year Honours checklist
In the latter a part of his profession, Wilkinson starred in a string of high-profile US dramas, together with John Adams, whereas he was awarded an OBE for providers to drama within the 2005 New Year Honours checklist.
For his last display screen credit score, he was reunited along with his Full Monty co-stars, Robert Carlyle and Mark Addy, in a 2023 Disney+ collection of the identical identify.
Away from the display screen, Wilkinson married fellow actor Diana Hardcastle in 1988. The couple had two daughters collectively.
Wilkinson starred alongside his spouse in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – although Hardcastle had a supporting function and they didn’t work together within the movie.
The couple did nonetheless play husband and spouse within the 2014 American thriller Good People.
Content Source: information.sky.com