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Last updated on the 26 March 2024 by Evandrus
Mini Biography
Born: 5 February 1948, Wharfedale, Yorkshire, England.Â
Tom Wilkinson’s early life was shaped by the values of hard work and self-discipline. His father, a millworker, instilled in him a strong work ethic, while his mother, a homemaker, nurtured his love for storytelling and the arts.
Despite limited financial means, Wilkinson’s parents encouraged his artistic pursuits and he participated in school plays and musicals.
After completing his formal education, Wilkinson pursued a degree in English Literature at the University of Birmingham. However, his true calling lay in acting. He dropped out of university to pursue a career in the theatre, joining the Birmingham Repertory Theatre in 1975.
Tom Wilkinson made his film debut in 1980 and quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. His roles in films such as “The Full Monty,” “In the Name of the Father,” and “The Last of the Mohicans” cemented his reputation as a versatile and talented actor.
Tom Wilkinson’s portrayal of Benjamin Franklin in the HBO miniseries “John Adams” (2008) earned him Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy awards for Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie in 2009.
In recognition of his contributions to the field of drama, Tom Wilkinson was bestowed with an honorary Doctor of Letters degree by the University of Kent in 2001. His dedication to his craft was further acknowledged in 2005 when he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to drama.
WINNER|Film: Actor in a Supporting Role for The Full Monty (1998)
Suggested viewing
Dead in a Week: Or Your Money Back (2018)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 6.3
After numerous failed suicide attempts, William, a struggling writer, decides to enlist the services of Leslie, a seasoned hitman on the verge of retirement. Leslie, desperate to meet his quota and avoid retirement, offers an unorthodox deal: dead in a week or your money back. As William’s life gains a newfound sense of purpose, he begins to question his decision, leading to a series of hilarious and unexpected turns.
Top cast: Aneurin Barnard, Tom Wilkinson, Freya Mavor, Christopher Eccleston, Marion Bailey, Velibor Topic, Nigel Lindsay, Gethin Anthony, Marcia Warren.
The Full Monty (1997)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.2 Amidst the economic downturn and steel mill closures in Sheffield, England, a group of unemployed men, Gaz, Dave, Horse, Lomper, Gerald, and Guy, decide to form a male striptease act as a means of survival and self-worth. Facing ridicule and self-doubt, they embark on a journey of camaraderie, self-acceptance, and the courage to embrace their masculinity in unexpected ways. Top cast: Robert Carlyle, Mark Addy, Tom Wilkinson, Paul Barber, Hugo Speed, Lesley Sharp, Emily Woof, Wim Snape, Steve Huison. |
Belgravia (2020)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.5 Amidst the grandeur and opulence of London’s Belgravia, a web of secrets and hidden truths intertwines the lives of two prominent families – the Trenchards, who have risen from humble beginnings, and the Brockenhursts, the epitome of aristocratic lineage. As the past resurfaces, threatening to unravel their carefully constructed facades, the families grapple with ambition, love, betrayal, and the enduring power of social class. Top cast: Tamsin Greig, Philip Glenister, Alice Eve, Ella Purnell, Tom Wilkinson, Jack Bardoe, Jeremy Neumark Jones, Harriet Walter, Richard Goulding. |
Denial (2016)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 6.7 Deborah Lipstadt, an esteemed historian specializing in the Holocaust, finds herself embroiled in a legal battle against David Irving, a controversial figure who denies the historical reality of the Holocaust. When Irving sues Lipstadt for libel, she and her legal team must meticulously assemble evidence to prove the undeniable truth of the Holocaust and defend the integrity of historical research against those who seek to distort and deny the facts. Top cast: Rachel Weisz, Tom Wilkinson, Timothy Spall, Andrew Scott, Jack Lowden, Caren Pistorius, Alex Jennings, Harriet Walter, Mark Gatiss. |
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2001) |
First Among Equals (1986)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.4
In the corridors of power, four men embark on a relentless pursuit of the coveted position of Prime Minister of Britain. Ray Gould, a self-made man with an unyielding ambition, clashes with the charismatic Andrew Fraser, a natural leader born into privilege. As their rivalry intensifies, both men must navigate the treacherous waters of political intrigue, personal betrayal, and the ever-present threat of scandal. Amidst the relentless pursuit of power, they must grapple with the sacrifices they must make, the loyalty they must uphold, and the love they must protect, in a game where only one can emerge as First Among Equals.
Top cast: Tom Wilkinson, Jeremy Child, James Faulkner, David Robb, Joanna David, Jane Booker, Clive Swift.
Full filmography (@Wikipedia)
Tom Wilkinson Gallery
