Tom Wilkinson, the Oscar-nominated actor best known for his role in The Full Monty, has died aged 75, his family announced.
The British star, who played former steel mill foreman Gerald Cooper in the film about an unlikely group of male strippers, died “suddenly” on Saturday.
A statement released on his death 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 was nominated as best actor at the Academy Awards for In The Bedroom in 2001, and as best supporting actor for Michael Clayton in 2007.
He most recently reunited with his Full Monty co-stars Robert Carlyle and Mark Addy in a Disney+ series of the same name.
The original 1997 comedy 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 take home the Bafta for best supporting actor in 1998 ceremony for his role in the film.
Wilkinson 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.
