I was out and about today when I read the sad news of actor Tom Wilkinson‘s passing at the age of 75. BBC News reported that the English actor, born in Leeds, Yorkshire, died suddenly at home with his wife and family. He was a brilliant and prolific actor, with over 130 TV and film credits under his belt, he’s great to watch no matter what the genre. Whether in period dramas like Sense and Sensibility and Shakespeare in Love, comedies like The Full Monty, or contemporary thrillers like Batman Begins and Michael Clayton, Wilkinson always delivers.
George Clooney, Wilkinson’s co-star in Michael Clayton, said it best via 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.”
The quintessential character actor, Wilkinson won a BAFTA for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for The Full Monty (1997) and was nominated for two Oscars, one for Best Actor for In the Bedroom (2001) which I still need to see, and Best Supporting Actor for Michael Clayton (2007). It’s tough to say which performance of his is my favorite as there are so many, but I thought I’d highlight seven of them here as my tribute to the late thespian.
Though mostly known for his dramatic performances, he’s quite a hoot to watch here in this crowdpleaser as one of the six unemployed men forming a male striptease act to make ends meet.
There are so many famous faces in John Madden’s Oscar-winning period piece Shakespeare In Love (where Dame Judi Dench won an Oscar for just 8 minutes of screen time), but watching these two fantastic actors, Wilkinson and Geoffrey Rush are some of the highlights.
I think most moviegoers remember Wilkinson in this Batman Begins role as a Gotham mob boss, complete with a New York-style accent. All the villains in Nolan’s first Batman saga are top-notch!!
Michael Clayton is an outstanding legal drama where Wilkinson portrayed a bipolar attorney who has a manic episode during a deposition. He deservedly got an Oscar nomination for his performance… who could forget this fiery exchange: “I am Shiva, the god of death!”
I quite like mystery drama which I think is rather underrated. His role in The Ghost Writer is pretty small but he’s always memorable. Love actors who never phone it in no matter how small the role.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is largely funny and some of the scenes are quite flippant, but Wilkinson’s quiet, reflective role as a gay man still haunted by his past is one of the most soulful moments.
I love this movie so much and I absolutely love Wilkinson’s role as Earl of Mansfield, who is entrusted to raise his nephew’s biracial daughter Belle. Naturally, it’s a tricky situation for Lord Chief Justice whose worldview is challenged as a result.
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Those selections are perfect. One of my favorites he did is in Belle where it is the climatic court case where he reads what the law state over this incident and he is so calm in that moment as it reveals what the law does as it proves to be a landmark moment in the abolishment of slavery in Britain. I would also add The Patriot where he played General Cornwallis as he is just great in that film as an antagonist that cares about how he’s reflected in history as he presents him as a man with a great keen mind and also a way he wants to go into battle with some honor only to face defeat. He will be missed as Tom Wilkinson is someone I’ve always enjoyed watching.
Yes!! Glad you have seen BELLE and appreciated Mr. Wilkinson’s stellar performance there, it remains one of my fave performances of his career but the film is sadly underrated.
I haven’t seen The Patriot yet but I’m not surprised he played a terrific antagonist. I think great actors can balance playing good and evil characters convincingly.
Great clips, Ruth, I was sad to hear about Tom.
Yeah, it was so sudden and I just felt compelled to honor him with a post.
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It’s a bummer that he’s no longer with us, may he rest in peace.
I never saw The Full Monty, it’s a popular rental when I worked at a video store back in college. I think the first film that I saw him was in Mel Gibson’s The Patriot. But his role in Michael Clayton was the most memorable to me. I also enjoy his quick cameo role as Ethan Hunt’s boss in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol.
I still need to see The Patriot, but yeah, his role in Michael Clayton stood out to me as well. He’s memorable even in a brief cameo in Ghost Protocol, I’d think he’d make an interesting Bond villain too as he’s not your standard cookie cutter baddie type.
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You could always rely on Tom Wilkinson. I’ll always remember him dancing in The Full Monty. I agree on The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel: a lovely, tender performance. I think the other thing I’ll remember most about him was his voice, it was so gentle.
Yeah I think he has done so many truly memorable roles though I think people forget how good he was in the ‘Marigold Hotel’ movie. He shone even amongst a stellar cast that included Judi Dench, Maggie Smith and Bill Nighy.