The Full Monty star Tom Wilkinson hailed as ‘British acting royalty’ after death

The British actor, well known for his role in The Full Monty as former steel mill foreman Gerald Cooper, suddenly died at home on Saturday, his family said.

His co-star William Snape, who plays Gaz’s (Robert Carlyle) son in the film, said Wilkinson’s death felt like losing a “brother”.

A statement released through Wilkinson’s agent 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.”

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.”

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

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 male strippers in Sheffield 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 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.

A Disney+ spokesperson said: “We are deeply saddened by the news of Tom Wilkinson’s passing. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues.”

Wilkinson, who became an OBE for services to drama in 2005, was born in Yorkshire in 1948 and grew up in Canada and Cornwall before attending the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (Rada) in the 1970s.

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.

Recalling working with Wilkinson in a long post, Slow Horses star Jack Lowden remembered the actor telling him, while they smoked cigarettes, that he last auditioned for roles in the 1970s.

Lowden, who starred opposite Wilkinson in the 2016 biographical and court room film Denial, wrote on Instagram: “Another day, he did the 1st take of a near 10 page speech in this film, sat down and waited for his next cig break. Then the assistant director came over and said ‘Great Tom, we’re gonna do that again’.

“To which Tom said ‘No we’re not, because that was perfect’.

“A gifted, beautiful actor of precision, skill and outrageous but justified belief. A titan. RIP Tom. Ps, he didn’t do that speech again. Because he was right. It was perfect first time.”

Wilkinson 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.

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.”

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”.