Tributes flow for British film icon
George Clooney has paid tribute to Oscar-nominated actor Tom Wilkinson after he died on Saturday aged 75, calling him “the epitome of elegance”.
Wilkinson, 75 – best known for his roles in The Full Monty, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Batman Begins – “died suddenly” at home in the company of his wife and family.
Clooney, who starred opposite the acclaimed British actor in the gripping 2007 drama Michael Clayton, led tributes to the late star.
“Tom made every project better, made every actor better,” he told Variety. “He was the epitome of elegance and he will be dearly missed by all of us.”
Scottish actor Robert Carlyle, Wilkinson’s co-star in the boxoffice smash The Full Monty, said the actor was “simply one of the greats”.
“So sad to hear of the passing of Tom. A wonderful man, he will be sorely missed by everyone who had the pleasure of working with him,” Carlyle said.
“A brilliant actor, truly one of the greats of not only his but of any generation.”
Born in Leeds in 1948, Wilkinson began acting at the age of 18. He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and landed his first television role in 1975 on the series 2nd House.
His first major role came over a decade later when, in 1986, he landed a spot on the miniseries, First Among Equals.
He met his future wife, actor Diana Hardcastle, on the series, and the pair wed in 1988, later welcoming two daughters, Alice and Molly.
The actor’s Hollywood breakthrough came with The Full Monty in 1997. He played the supporting role of Gerald, a steelworker who joins a group of men who decide to start stripping to make money.
The star reprised his role in the Disney+ miniseries of the same name this year.
Wilkinson was nominated for Oscars for Michael Clayton and 2001’s In The Bedroom.