Tom Wilkinson, the Emmy-winning British acting legend, passed away at the age of 75. Most people remember Wilkinson as an acclaimed stage and film actor, but he also gave us several magnificent television performances, starting with these three.
John Adams
HBO’s mini-series John Adams was a tour de force for every actor involved, and Wilkinson was no exception. The role of Benjamin Franklin, one of the most prominent Founding Fathers, fit him like a glove, and it wasn’t a shocker to see him walk away with a Golden Globe and a Primetime Emmy Award for his amazing portrayal.
The Kennedys
Wilkinson shone the brightest when he was tasked with bringing important political figures to life, and his portrayal of Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. was a case in point. He scored another Emmy nod for his role in the historical mini-series The Kennedys and later reprised it in The Kennedys: After Camelot.
The Full Monty
One of Wilkinson’s final roles was a true blast from the past. He returned as Gerald Arthur Cooper in the TV sequel of The Full Monty—the ’90s British comedy that helped him become a household name and won him a BAFTA Award for the best actor in a supporting role.
