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 London's 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 didn't 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 Queen's New Years Honours List for his services to Drama.
Tom Wilkinson Detailed Biography
A 2001 Oscar nominee (and Independent Spirit Award winner) for his performance in Todd Field's IN THE BEDROOM, Tom Wilkinson became a household name around the globe after starring in Peter Cattaneo's THE FULL MONTY.
Wilkinson followed up IN THE BEDROOM with a star turn in the HBO film NORMAL, opposite Jessica Lange, receiving both Golden Globe and Emmy nominations. He recently completed A GOOD WOMAN for director Mike Barker, opposite Helen Hunt and Scarlett Johansson; John McKay's PICADILLY JIM with Sam Rockwell; WHITE ON WHITE for director Roger Spottiswoode, and Julian Fellowes' directorial debut A WAY THROUGHT THE WOODS, with Emily Watson and Rupert Everett. He will next be appearing in the BATMAN prequel with Christian Bale, Katie Holmes and Michael Caine for Warner Bros. Recent films include THE GIRL WITH THE PEARL EARING, with Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson, and the critically acclaimed ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTTED MIND, with Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet.
In recent years, Wilkinson has appeared in a wide range of films INCLUDING RUSH HOUR, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, THE PATRIOT, RIDE WITH THE DEVIL, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, OSCAR AND LUCINDA and WILDE.
Wilkinson credits director Richard Eyre with providing his break into show business at the Nottingham Playhouse. Since then, his many stage credits include John Proctor in The Crucible at the Royal National Theatre, the title role in King Lear at the Royal Court and Dr. Stockmann in An Enemy of the People, for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award. More recently, he appeared at the Royal Court in David Hare's production of My Zinc Bed.
On television, Wilkinson has appeared in (among others) the award-winning BBC mini-series Martin Chuzzlewit, in the title role of the BBC detective series Resnick, and in Measure for Measure and Cold Enough for Snow, for which he was nominated for a BAFTA TV Award.
