Full Monty actor Tom Wilkinson dies 'suddenly', aged 75

Two-time Oscar-nominated actor Tom Wilkinson has died aged 75, his family has announced.

Well known for his role in The Full Monty as former steel mill foreman Gerald Cooper, Wilkinson died “suddenly” on Saturday.

In a statement shared by his agent, his family said: “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.”

Wilkinson married actress Diana Hardcastle in 1988 and they have two children. Hardcastle has starred alongside her husband in 2011 ensemble comedy The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, History channel TV show The Kennedys, 2014 action movie Good People and most recently in the 2020 period drama series Belgravia. In an Instagram post, Snape wrote: “I’m no good at this but feel like I need to say it. Today we lost a brother. What we all went through nearly 30 years ago changed so much about our lives but one thing remained. Us. “Our full Monty family. And today we said good bye to one of them. Tom Wilkinson was hilarious, gentle, kind and generous with his time and talent. Rest in peace Tom. You will be sorely missed my friend.”

Wilkinson was nominated for Academy Awards for actor in a leading role for In The Bedroom in 2001, and actor in a supporting role for Michael Clayton in 2007.

The Leeds-born actor 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 Sheffield men 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.

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, and the 2014 Wes Anderson comedy drama The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Other noteworthy films he starred in include 1998 action-comedy hit Rush Hour, 1998's Shakespeare in Love and Christopher Nolan's 2005 Batman Begins.

Among those who paid tribute has been singer Will Young, who recalled Wilkinson coming to his aid when he was going for acting auditions. Young, who has appeared in Mrs Henderson Presents, Marple and Highland Park, wrote on Instagram: “Goodbye friend. Funny, bloody smart, helped me with auditions along with (Diana Hardcastle) and what a terrific actor. British acting royalty I salute you dear Tom xxx.”

American filmmaker Scott Derrickson , known for directing horror films such as Sinister and The Black Phone, recalled a time when the actor gave him a surprise kiss on the lips whilst on the set of The Exorcism Of Emily Rose. On X, formerly Twitter, the film director wrote: “When we wrapped The Exorcism of Emily Rose, I went to him to say goodbye. “As I went in for a hug, he turned sideways and put one arm around my shoulder. I said, ‘Well that’s a British hug if I’ve ever had one…’

“He frowned at me, then grabbed my face and kissed me right on the lips for a good five seconds, then declared loudly, ‘Don’t ever insult British affection or sense of romance! We invented the stuff!'”

He described Wilkinson, who became an OBE for services to drama in 2005, as “an amazing talent and wonderful human being”. Actor Aneurin Barnard, who starred opposite Wilkinson in Dead In A Week (Or Your Money Back), said he was “very sad” to hear of his death. On X, Barnard wrote: “I had a very great time getting to know him and working with him. One of our wonderful legends that we say goodbye to. Bye for now Tom x.”

In a statement, Robert Carlyle said: “So sad to hear of Tom’s passing. He’ll be sorely missed by everyone who had the pleasure of working with him. “Such a huge performer, a real titan of an actor, one of the greats of not only his, but of any generation.”

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