Oscar-nominated actor Tom Wilkinson, known for The Full Monty, dies at 75
- The British actor, who was nominated for 2 Academy Awards – for In The Bedroom in 2001 and Michael Clayton in 2007 – died ‘suddenly’ on Saturday
- Wilkinson won a Golden Globe and Emmy for his role as Benjamin Franklin in HBO’s John Adams. He also appeared in the Rush Hour franchise
Two-time Oscar-nominated actor Tom Wilkinson has died aged 75, his family has announced.
The British actor, well known for his role in The Full Monty as former steel mill foreman Gerald Cooper, died “suddenly” on Saturday.
His death was confirmed in a statement shared by his agent on behalf of his family.
The statement read: “It is with great sadness that the family of Tom Wilkinson announce that he died suddenly at home on December 30. His wife and family were with him.
“The family asks for privacy at this time.”
He most recently reunited with his The Full Monty co-stars, Robert Carlyle and Mark Addy, in a Disney+ series of the same name.
The original 1997 comedy about an unlikely group of men stripping won an Oscar for best original musical or comedy score and was nominated for three others, including best picture and best director.
Wilkinson’s character played a critical role in the film as he was recruited to help the unemployed men in Sheffield, England dance ahead of them performing to a Tom Jones version of You Can Leave Your Hat On.
He would also take home best supporting actor during the 1998 BAFTA ceremony for his role in the film.
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Wilkinson also won a 2009 Golden Globe and 2008 Emmy for his role as American political figure Benjamin Franklin in HBO series John Adams opposite Paul Giamatti.
He was also known for his roles in a BBC adaptation of Charles Dickens novel Martin Chuzzlewit, the 1995 adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sense And Sensibility, the 2014 Wes Anderson comedy-drama The Grand Budapest Hotel and 2011 ensemble comedy The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Other film appearances include Batman Begins, the Rush Hour franchise, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Valkyrie.
