Popular British character actor Tom Wilkinson was born in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, and comes from a long line of urban farmers. He is the son of Marjorie .
Graduated from the University of Kent at Canterbury with a degree in English and American Literature. Was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree by the University in 2001.
Attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts.
He has performed at the Oxford Playhouse, the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre and on the stage at Londons West End.
Has two children: Alice, born in 1989 and Molly, born in 1992.
He was awarded the 1986 London Critics Circle Theatre Award (Drama Theatre Award) for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Ghosts.
He was awarded the 1988 London Critics Circle Theatre Award (Drama Theatre Award) for Best Actor for his performance in An Enemy of the People.
Became an Associate Member of RADA.
Was offered a role in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but didnt like the prospect of a year long production keeping him away from his family.
He was awarded the O.B.E. (Officer of the order of the British Empire) in the 2005 Queens New Years Honours List for his services to Drama.
Has played both a villain and hero of the American Revolution: Gen. Lord Charles Cornwallis in The Patriot and Benjamin Franklin in "John Adams" .
Is the only actor nominated for two Golden Globes on the same year for portraying two American politicians: "Benjamin Franklin" ( "John Adams" ) and James Baker III ( Recount ), winning for "John Adams" . Both of these miniseries/television movie were produced by HBO.
(December 2004) Awarded the honor of "Officer of the Order of the British Empire" (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth II.
As of 2015, has appeared in eight films that were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: In the Name of the Father , Sense and Sensibility , The Full Monty , Shakespeare in Love , In the Bedroom , Michael Clayton , Selma and The Grand Budapest Hotel . Of those, Shakespeare in Love is a winner in the category.
There are no acting challenges in a good script, only in a bad script.
