George honours British actor Tom Wilkinson, who died today

This was a painful shock. One of the best. Always a good performance, but I especially loved him in 'Michael Clayton.'

[size=34]'The epitome of elegance': George Clooney leads tributes to co-star Tom Wilkinson after his death aged 75 - as showbiz world mourns 'British acting royalty'[/size]

• Tom Wilkinson played former steel mill foreman Gerald Cooper in The Full Monty 
  
  

By IWAN STONE and ARTHUR PARASHAR 
PUBLISHED: 16:22 EST, 30 December 2023 | UPDATED: 18:25 EST, 30 December 2023






George Clooney has led tributes to two-time Oscar-nominated actor Tom Wilkinson after he died aged 75, calling him 'the epitome of elegance'.
The British film star, best known for playing Gerald Arthur Cooper in the 1997 comedy The Full Monty, died 'suddenly' on Saturday, his family announced today.
Mr Clooney, who starred opposite Mr Wilkinson in the intense 2007 drama Michael Clayton, joined the ranks of his The Full Monty cast mates in showing their affection for the late star.
'Tom made every project better. Made every actor better,' the Oceans 11 actor told Variety.
'He was the epitome of elegance and he will be dearly missed by all of us.'
Mr Wilkinson is survived by his actress wife Diana Hardcastle, 74, and their two daughters, Alice and Mollie. 
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Wilkinson was nominated for Academy Awards for actor in a supporting role for Michael Clayton in 2007. He starred alongside George Clooney (pictured together)
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Mr Clooney joined the ranks of his The Full Monty cast mates in showing their affection for the late star, calling him 'the epitome of elegance'
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Tom Wilkinson was best known for his role in The Full Monty as former steel mill foreman Gerald Cooper (pictured)
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(L-R) Tom Wilkinson, Robert Carlyle, Steve Huison, Hugo Speer, Paul Barber and Mark Addy appear in a scene from The Full Monty
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The actor was awarded a Bafta for best supporting actor in The Full Monty which followed a group of redundant steelworkers from Sheffield who decide to set up an all-male striptease act to earn a living.
His co-star on the feel-good film, Robert Carlyle, praised Mr Wilkinson ws one of the greatest actors of 'any generation'. 

READ MORE: Oscar-nominated star Tom Wilkinson who starred in The Full Monty, Batman Begins and Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol dies aged 75

He said: '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. 
'A brilliant actor, truly one of the greats of not only his but of any generation. RIP Tom Wilkinson.'
Fellow co-star William Snape, who plays Gaz's (Robert Carlyle) son in the film, said Wilkinson's death felt like losing a 'brother'.
In an Instagram posthe 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.'
Singer Will Young, who recalled Wilkinson coming to his aid when he was going for acting auditions, also paid tribute to his 'bloody smart' friend.
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.'
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, formerly Twitter, 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.' 

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Wilkinson is pictured with his actress wife Diana Hardcastle at The Park Theatre in London on July 17, 2017
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Actor Tom Wilkinson holds his award at the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills in 2009. He won the Golden Globe for best supporting actor in a series, mini-series, or motion picture made for television for his role in 'John Adams'
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In The Full Monty, 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
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 American filmmaker wrote: '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 as 'an amazing talent and wonderful human being'.
Across a glittering career spanning nearly 50 years, Wilkinson also starred in the 1998 romcom Shakespeare in Love, Christopher Nolan's 2005 blockbuster Batman Begins and 2011 action thriller Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol. 
His tragic 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.' 
Wilkinson and his wife tied the knot in 1988 and would go on to play husband and wife in The Kennedys in 2011 and the 2014 film Good People. They had most recently starred alongside one another in the 2020 period drama series Belgravia.
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Wilkinson was nominated for an Academy Award for actor in a leading role for In The Bedroom in 2001
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Tom Wilkinson is pictured after he collected an OBE from Queen Elizabeth II in 2005
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He most recently reunited with his The Full Monty co-stars, Robert Carlyle and Mark Addy, in a Disney+ series of the same name (pictured)
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Tom Wilkinson and his wife Diana arriving for the Orange British Academy Film Awards at the Odeon cinema in London's Leicester Square in 2002
Wilkinson was nominated for six Baftas in total as well as two Oscars for the 2001 drama In The Bedroom, where he played a bereaved father, and Michael Clayton, a 2007 legal thriller starring George Clooney. 
The actor, who had more than 130 film and TV credits, 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 later featured in a star-studded cast alongside his wife, Dame Judi Dench, Dame Penelope Walton and Bill Nighy in the 2011 film, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. 
And he most recently reunited with his The Full Monty co-stars, Robert Carlyle and Mark Addy, in a Disney+ series of the same name. 
In the original film, Wilkinson played a former steel mill foreman who 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.
The film won an Oscar for best original musical or comedy score and was nominated for three others, including best picture and best director. 
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.
Wilkinson was born to farmers in the Yorkshire valley of Wharfedale in 1948, and grew up in Canada and Cornwall before attending the University of Kent, where he studied English and American literature and developed a passion for acting and directing.
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Across a glittering career spanning nearly 50 years, Wilkinson also starred in Christopher Nolan's 2005 blockbuster Batman Begins (pictured)
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Christian Bale and Tom Wilkinson at the European Premiere of 'Batman Begins' at the Odeon Leicester Square in 2005
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Tom Wilkinson, Tony Revolori and Owen Wilson star in the 2014 film, The Grand Budapest Hotel
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Tom Wilkinson and Judi Dench arriving for the UK premiere of their film 'The Importance of Being Earnest' in 2002
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Dame Helen Mirren and actor Tom Wilkinson arrives at the UK premiere of The Debt at The Curzon Mayfair in 2011
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He 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
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The cast of 'The Full Monty' strikes a pose during their arrival for the 55th Annual Golden Globe Awards
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Actor Tom Wilkinson and his wife Diana Hardcastle attend the screening of the new film 'Separate Lies' on September 15, 2005 in New York City
He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (Rada) in the 1970s and got his first major screen role in the 1986 political drama First Among Equals, where he starred alongside his future wife.
But it was his unforgettable role in The Full Monty that saw Wilkinson shoot to fame in 1997. 
He said 'pure chance' helped him to land the role. 'I was offered the lead in a TV series and the part in a low budget movie,' he said. 'I remember phoning a friend and he said, 'Take the TV, take the TV'.
'But I didn't follow his advice and the TV show turned out to be crap. The Full Monty changed my life.'
He would later feature in a string of Hollywood films and dramas that further cemented his status as an acting great.
His credits included The Patriot, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Gathering Storm, Black Knight, Valkyrie, The Lone Ranger and Denial. 
Wilkinson was recognised for his versatility, showcasing his talent across period dramas such as Sense and Sensibility to starring alongside Jackie Chan in Rush Hour.
But off the screen he enjoyed keeping a low profile, previously admitting: 'I like to go to Waitrose and not be recognised.' 
In 2005, the late Queen Elizabeth II awarded Wilkinson with an OBE for services to drama.
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, formerly Twitter, 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.' 
Will Young also paid tribute to Wilkinson, describing him as 'British acting royalty'.
The singer said The Full Monty star Wilkinson came 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.'
Actor Michael Warburton said it was 'very sad news that one of our finest has left us.'
The Strays star added: 'My first sight of Tom Wilkinson was in 1993 when he played the title role in King Lear at the Royal Court. He was of course magnificent. 
'I also worked on Stage Door there & he'd often sit down & chat with me & then went on to help me raise funds to go to Drama School. RIP Tom.'
American filmmaker Scott Derrickson also paid tribute to Wilkinson.
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.
The film director tweeted: '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 as 'an amazing talent and wonderful human being'.