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Quick Facts
Biography
Thomas Geoffrey "Tom" Wilkinson OBE (born 5 February 1948) is an English actor. He has twice been nominated for an Academy Award, for his roles in In the Bedroom (2001 and Michael Clayton (2007). In 2009, he won Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy Awards for Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Film for playing Benjamin Franklin in John Adams.
Early life and education
Wilkinson was born in Wharfedale, West Riding of Yorkshire, the son of Marjorie and Thomas Wilkinson, a farmer. At the age of four, he moved with his family to Canada, where they lived for several years before returning to the United Kingdom and running a pub in Cornwall. Wilkinson graduated from the University of Kent, where he was a member of T24 Drama Society (then named UKCD) and attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
Career
Wilkinson made his acting debut in 1976 and worked on several British television series, most notably the mini-series First Among Equals (1986). He first gained critical acclaim with his appearance as Mr Pecksniff, in the BBC's 1994 adaptation of Martin Chuzzlewit. Wilkinson made only the occasional film, including a brief appearance in 1995's Sense and Sensibility and a villain in The Ghost and the Darkness (1996). After becoming part of the ensemble cast of the comedy-drama The Full Monty in 1997, a role which earned him a BAFTA, he began to take film roles more frequently, including supporting roles in Oscar and Lucinda, Wilde, Shakespeare in Love, and The Patriot. He also starred with Jackie Chan in the 1998 film Rush Hour, as the evil British Ambassador/Juntao.
His portrayal of Matt Fowler, in Todd Field's In the Bedroom, received international praise from critics. For the role, he was named Best Actor of the Year by the New York Film Critics' Circle, and went on to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor. That success was followed up by Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Normal, The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Batman Begins, and Separate Lies.
In 2007, Wilkinson played Arthur Edens, an attorney with bipolar disorder, in Michael Clayton and garnered much critical acclaim and a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. The same year, he played an uncle planning for murder in Woody Allen's Cassandra's Dream.
In 2008, Wilkinson portrayed American patriot Benjamin Franklin in the HBO mini-series John Adams. In the HBO film, Recount, Wilkinson portrayed American political adviser and lawyer, James A. Baker, in Baker's capacity as Chief Counsel to George W. Bush during the 2000 U.S. Presidential Election, receiving an Emmy Award for the former and a nomination for the latter. He also received a Golden Globe Award and Screen Actors' Guild Award nomination for his role in John Adams. He also portrayed Friedrich Fromm, Commander in Chief of the German Reserve Army, alongside Tom Cruise in the 2008 World War II thriller Valkyrie.
Wilkinson starred in the horror comedy Burke and Hare, which is directed by John Landis. He portrayed a covert CIA agent in Roman Polanski's The Ghost Writer. He played another historical character, Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., in the 2011 television miniseries The Kennedys, for which he was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie. He and his wife portrayed husband and wife Joe and Rose Kennedy. Earlier that year, he appeared in The Green Hornet and Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol.
Personal life
Wilkinson lives in north London with his wife, actress Diana Hardcastle, and their two children, Alice and Molly.
Honours
Wilkinson received a Doctor of Letters honorary degree from the University of Kent in July 2001.
In the 2005 New Year Honours, he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) "for services to Drama".
Filmography
Film
Year | Film | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1976 | Smuga cienia | Chef Ransome | Polish adaptation of Joseph Conrad's The Shadow Line |
1984 | Parker | Tom | |
1985 | Sylvia | Keith Henderson | |
Wetherby | Roger Braithwaite | ||
1990 | Paper Mask | Dr Thorn | |
1993 | In the Name of the Father | Grant Richardson | |
1994 | Priest | Father Matthew Thomas | |
A Business Affair | Bob | ||
Prince of Jutland | Hardvendel | ||
1995 | Sense and Sensibility | Mr Dashwood | |
1996 | The Ghost and the Darkness | Robert Beaumont | |
1997 | Smilla's Sense of Snow | Prof. Loyen | |
The Full Monty | Gerald | ||
Wilde | Marquess of Queensberry | ||
Oscar and Lucinda | Hugh Stratton | ||
1998 | The Governess | Charles Cavendish | |
Rush Hour | Thomas Griffin/Juntao | ||
Shakespeare in Love | Hugh Fennyman | ||
1999 | Ride with the Devil | Orton Brown | |
Molokai: The Story of Father Damien | Brother Joseph Dutton | ||
2000 | Essex Boys | John Dyke | |
The Patriot | General Charles Lord Cornwallis | ||
Chain of Fools | Robert Bollingsworth | ||
2001 | In the Bedroom | Matt Fowler | |
Another Life | Mr Carlton | ||
Black Knight | Sir Knolte of Malborough | ||
2002 | The Importance of Being Earnest | Dr. Frederick Chasuble | |
Before You Go | Frank | ||
2003 | Girl with a Pearl Earring | Pieter Van Ruijven | |
2004 | If Only | Taxi driver | |
Piccadilly Jim | Bingley Crocker | ||
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind | Howard Mierzwiak | ||
Stage Beauty | Betterton | ||
A Good Woman | Tuppy | ||
2005 | Ripley Under Ground | John Webster | |
Batman Begins | Carmine Falcone | Also voiced the character in the film's video game adaptation | |
The Exorcism of Emily Rose | Father Moore | ||
Separate Lies | James Manning | ||
2006 | The Night of the White Pants | Max Hagan | |
The Last Kiss | Stephen | ||
2007 | Dedication | Rudy Holt | |
Cassandra's Dream | Howard | ||
Michael Clayton | Arthur Edens | ||
2008 | RocknRolla | Lenny Cole | |
Valkyrie | Friedrich Fromm | ||
2009 | Duplicity | Howard Tully | |
44 Inch Chest | Archie | ||
Jackboots on Whitehall | Goebbels (voice) | ||
2010 | The Ghost Writer | Paul Emmett | |
Burke and Hare | Dr. Robert Knox | ||
2011 | The Green Hornet | James Reid | |
The Conspirator | Reverdy Johnson | ||
The Debt | Stefan | ||
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol | IMF Secretary | Uncredited | |
2012 | The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel | Graham | |
Fury | Xavier | ||
2013 | The Lone Ranger | Latham Cole | |
Belle | Lord Mansfield | ||
Felony | Detective Carl Summer | ||
2014 | The Grand Budapest Hotel | Author | |
Good People | DI John Halden | ||
Selma | Lyndon B. Johnson | ||
2015 | Unfinished Business | Timothy McWinters | |
Bone in the Throat | Charlie | ||
Little Boy | Fr Oliver | ||
Jenny's Wedding | Eddie | ||
2016 | The Choice | Dr Shep | |
Snowden | Ewen MacAskill | ||
Denial | Richard Rampton | ||
Carrie Pilby | Mr Pilby | ||
2017 | Kong: Skull Island | Post-production | |
This Beautiful Fantastic | Alfie Stephenson | Post-production | |
The Happy Prince | Post-production | ||
Burden |
Television
Year | Film | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1979 | Crime and Punishment | Cadet | Episode: "Part 1" |
1983 | Panorama | Czuma | Episode: "Two Weeks in Winter: How the Army Took Over Poland" |
Spyship | Martin Taylor | 6-part BBC television miniseries | |
1984 | Strangers and Brothers | George Passant | 2 episodes |
Sharma and Beyond | Vivian | Television film | |
Squaring the Circle | Rulewski | Television film | |
1985 | A Pocket Full of Rye | Detective Inspector Neele | Television film |
Travelling Man | "Granny" Jackson | Episode: "On the Hook" | |
Happy Families | Jack | Episode: "Cassie" | |
1986 | First Among Equals | Raymond Gould | 10-episode miniseries |
1988 | The Woman He Loved | Ernest Aldrich Simpson | Television film |
The Attic: The Hiding of Anne Frank | Silberbauer | Television film | |
The Ruth Rendell Mysteries | Robert Hathall | 3 episodes | |
1989 | First and Last | Stephen | Television film |
1990 | Inspector Morse | Music Master Jake Normington | Episode: "The Infernal Serpent" |
TECX | Hugo Gillon | Episode: "The Wine Business" | |
Counterstrike | Unknown | 2 episodes | |
1990–1996 | Screen Two | David Hanratty / Father McAteer / Dr. Middleton | 4 episodes |
1991 | Parnell & the Englishwoman | Sir Charles Russell | Episode: "The Libel" |
Lovejoy | Ashley Wilkes | Episode: "One Born Every Minute" | |
Prime Suspect | Peter Rawlins | 2 episodes | |
1992 | Underbelly | Paul Manning | Miniseries |
Resnick: Lonely Hearts | Detective Inspector Charlie Resnick | Television film | |
1993 | Stay Lucky | Allon | Episode: "Gilding the Lily" |
Resnick: Rough Treatment | Detective Inspector Charlie Resnick | Television film | |
1994 | The Inspector Alleyn Mysteries | Gerald Lacklander | Episode: "Scales of Justice" |
Shakespeare: The Animated Tales | Buckingham (voice) | Episode: "King Richard II" | |
Performance | Duke Vincentio | Episode: "Measure for Measure" | |
Martin Chuzzlewit | Seth Pecksniff | 6-episode miniseries | |
1996 | Eskimo Day | Hugh Lloyd | Television film |
1997 | Cold Enough for Snow | Hugh Lloyd | Television film |
1999 | David Copperfield | Narrator (Old David Copperfield) | Television film |
2002 | The Gathering Storm | Sir Robert Vansittart | Television film |
An Angel for May | Sam Wheeler | Television film | |
2003 | Normal | Roy Applewood | Television film |
2008 | John Adams | Benjamin Franklin | Miniseries |
Recount | James Baker | Television film | |
A Number | Salter | Television film | |
2010 | The Gruffalo | Fox (voice) | Television film |
2011 | The Kennedys | Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. | Miniseries |
The Gruffalo's Child | Fox (voice) | Television film | |
2017 | Watership Down | Threarah (voice) | Miniseries |
Video games
Year | Film | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2005 | Batman Begins | Carmine Falcone (voice) | |
2012 | Sleeping Dogs | Superintendent Pendrew (voice) |
Awards and nominations
Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1994 | British Academy Award | Best Actor | Nominated | |
1997 | British Academy Award | Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Won | |
Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture | Won | ||
MTV Movie Award | Best Dance Sequence | Nominated | ||
British Academy Television Award | Best Actor | Nominated | ||
1998 | British Academy Film Awards | Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Nominated | |
Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture' | Won | ||
2001 | Academy Award | Best Actor | Nominated | |
American Film Institute Award | Actor of the Year | Nominated | ||
British Academy Film Award | Best Actor in a Leading Role | Nominated | ||
Chicago Film Critics Association Award | Best Actor | Nominated | ||
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award | Best Actor | Nominated | ||
Independent Spirit Award | Best Male Lead | Won | ||
Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award | Best Actor | Nominated | ||
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award | Best Actor | Nominated | ||
National Society of Film Critics Award | Best Actor | Nominated | ||
New York Film Critics Circle Award | Best Actor | Won | ||
New York Film Critics Online Award | Best Actor | Won | ||
Online Film Critics Society Award | Best Actor | Nominated | ||
Southeastern Film Critics Association Award | Best Actor | Nominated | ||
Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture | Nominated | ||
Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role | Nominated | ||
Sundance Film Festival Award | Special Jury Prize for Dramatic Acting (shared with Sissy Spacek) | Won | ||
Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award | Best Actor | Nominated | ||
2003 | Golden Globe Award | Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film | Nominated | |
Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie | Nominated | ||
Satellite Award | Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film | Nominated | ||
2005 | London Film Critics' Circle Award | British Actor of the Year | Nominated | |
2007 | Academy Award | Best Supporting Actor | Nominated | |
British Academy Film Award | Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Nominated | ||
Chicago Film Critics Association Award | Best Supporting Actor | Nominated | ||
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award | Best Supporting Actor | Nominated | ||
Golden Globe Award | Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture | Nominated | ||
London Film Critics' Circle Award | British Supporting Actor of the Year | Won | ||
London Film Critics' Circle Award | British Actor of the Year | Nominated | ||
Online Film Critics Society Award | Best Supporting Actor | Nominated | ||
Prism Award | Performance in a Feature Film | Nominated | ||
San Diego Film Critics Society Award | Best Supporting Actor | Nominated | ||
San Diego Film Critics Society Award | Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture | Won | ||
Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role | Nominated | ||
St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association Award | Best Supporting Actor | Nominated | ||
Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award | Best Supporting Actor | Nominated | ||
2008 | Golden Globe Award | Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film | Won | |
Monte-Carlo Television Festival Award | Outstanding Actor – Mini Series | Nominated | ||
Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie | Nominated | ||
Golden Globe Award | Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film | Nominated | ||
Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie | Nominated | ||
Satellite Award | Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film | Nominated | ||
Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie | Nominated | ||
2009 | San Diego Film Critics Society Award | Best Cast | Won | |
2011 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie | Nominated | |
Monte-Carlo Television Festival Award | Mini-Series – Best Performance by an Actor | Nominated | ||
2012 | British Independent Film Award | Best Supporting Actor | Nominated | |
Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture | Nominated |