Tom Wilkinson,a veteran British actor known for his award-winning roles inThe Patriot,John Adams,and a host of major Hollywood projects, has passed away at the age of 75. Wilkinson’s family confirmed his death to theBBC.
A British native, Wilkinson would have acareer that spanned decades. He first made his on-screen debut in 1976. His first major on-screen Hollywood film role came in 1993 withIn the Name of the Father,a film about four people falsely accused of a terrorist attack in the United Kingdom. Wilkinson would be put on the map with his role in the project, which would go on to be nominated for a slew of awards at that year’s Oscars. From there, Wilkinson would endear himself as one of the most notable character actors on both sides of the pond.
Wilkinson would go on to have roles in high-profile projects throughout the years. This includes roles inSense and Sensibility, Shakespeare in Love, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Denial, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Selma, Valkyrie,and more. He even got in on the ground floor of superhero films in 2005,appearing inBatman Beginsas mob boss Carmine Falcone alongsideChristian Bale’sCaped Crusader. Wilkinson would become one of the most beloved British actors, winning a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the comedy filmThe Full Monty.He also received a pair of Academy Award nominations for his turns inIn the BedroomandMichael Clayton.
Wilkinson Played a Pair of Revolutionary Figures
Wilkinson is perhaps best known to American audiences for his roles intwo projects surrounding the American Revolution: the aforementionedThe PatriotandJohn Adams,in which he ironically portrayed a pair of men on opposite sides of the war.InThe Patriot,Wilkinson playedCharles Cornwallis,one of the leading British generals of the Revolutionary War and the man who would eventually surrender to the American forces. He starred in the film alongsideMel Gibson, Heath Ledger,andJason Isaacs.
It was Wilkinson’s turn in HBO’s miniseriesJohn Adamsin 2008, however, that would garner him critical acclaim. Wilkinsonportrayed American founding fatherBenjamin Franklinas he helped lead the colonies through the Revolutionary War and then went overseas as a diplomat to try and broker deals on behalf of the new country. He is often seen in the series feuding with another founding father, the titularJohn Adams,portrayed byPaul Giamatti, as the pair had very different styles of leadership. For his role in the project, Wilkinson would win both a Primetime Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor as well as a Golden Globe Award.
Wilkinson’s final role came this past summer when he appeared in afollow-up series toThe Full Montyon Hulu. Also calledThe Full Monty,Wilkinson reprised his character from the 1997 film in what would be his final on-screen credit. The series is streaming now on Hulu.
