George Clooney, Michael McKean, Richard Roeper Remember Tom Wilkinson, Who “Made Every Actor Better”

Directors Scott Derrickson and J.A. Bayona also paid tribute to the BAFTA- and Emmy-winner and two-time Oscar nominee who died “suddenly” on Saturday.

Tom Wilkinson at the ‘Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’ premiere in New York in 2012

Jason Kempin/Getty Images

George Clooney, Michael McKean and Richard Roeper are among the stars remembering acclaimed British actor Tom Wilkinson, who died “suddenly” on Saturday at the age of 75.

Wilkinson, known for his BAFTA-winning role in The Full Monty and Oscar-nominated turns in Michael Clayton and In the Bedroom, died at home, according to a statement from the actor’s family, who were with him when he died as was his wife.

For his role in Tony Gilroy’s Michael Clayton, the 2007 drama that starred George Clooney and Tilda Swinton, who won the best supporting actress Oscar for her performance, Wilkinson received a best supporting actor nod.

“Tom made every project better, made every actor better,” Clooney said of Wilkinson in a statement. “He was the epitome of elegance, and he will be dearly missed by all of us.”

McKean posted to X (formerly known as Twitter) that Wilkinson was a “great actor,” while Roeper praised the versatile actor’s performances over the course of his career.

“There was never a Tom Wilkinson moment onscreen that didn’t feel authentic,” Roeper wrote on X. “He wasn’t a supporting player; he was an actor who elevated the material, regardless of genre. I’ll never forget his heartbreakingly great work as a father overcome with grief in ‘In the Bedroom.’ RIP.”

Filmmaker Scott Derrickson, who worked with Wilkinson on The Exorcism of Emily Rose, shared an anecdote from when they wrapped the film, calling it his “favorite … memory” of the actor.

“I went to [Wilkinson] to say goodbye,” Derrickson 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!’”

In addition to the accolades he received for his film roles, Wilkinson won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for his role as Benjamin Franklin in HBO’s 2008 John Adams miniseries, starring Paul Giamatti as the titular second president of the United States. At both awards shows, he was also nominated for his role as James Baker in another HBO project, the Jay Roach-directed film Recount, about the contentious weeks after the 2000 presidential election between George W. Bush and Al Gore and the Florida recount.

Read on to see what the stars are saying about Wilkinson on social media.

There was never a Tom Wilkinson moment onscreen that didn’t feel authentic. He wasn’t a supporting player; he was an actor who elevated the material, regardless of genre. I’ll never forget his heartbreakingly great work as a father overcome with grief in “In the Bedroom.” RIP. pic.twitter.com/CzAGLpHGw9

— Richard Roeper (@RichardERoeper) December 30, 2023

Goodbye Tom Wilkinson, an amazing talent and wonderful human being. Very proud to have worked with him on The Exorcism of Emily Rose. pic.twitter.com/fBLwFdncE1

— N O S ⋊ Ɔ I ᴚ ᴚ Ǝ ᗡ ⊥ ⊥ O Ɔ S (@scottderrickson) December 30, 2023

1/2

My favorite Tom Wilkinson memory…

When we wrapped The Exorcism of Emily Rose, I went to him to say goodbye. 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…”

— N O S ⋊ Ɔ I ᴚ ᴚ Ǝ ᗡ ⊥ ⊥ O Ɔ S (@scottderrickson) December 30, 2023

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!”

— N O S ⋊ Ɔ I ᴚ ᴚ Ǝ ᗡ ⊥ ⊥ O Ɔ S (@scottderrickson) December 30, 2023

Very saddened by the news of Tom Wilkinson passing. I greatly admired his work in In the Bedroom and Michael Clayton, among many other movies. A class act. RIP. pic.twitter.com/Ko61FHf0XJ

— JA Bayona (@FilmBayona) December 30, 2023

So sad that Tom Wilkinson has died. Such a great actor, and a lovely man. Love to Diana and family

— Nigella Lawson (@Nigella_Lawson) December 30, 2023

The bottom line with me for an Actor is do I believe what they’re saying, and I never heard a word come out of TOM WILKINSON’s mouth that I didn’t 100% believe.

He was a superlative Actor.

THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL (2011)

RIP Sir, legacy assured. pic.twitter.com/mOVNbTs0q4

— Michael Warburton (@MichaelWarbur17) December 30, 2023

We’re saddened to hear of the passing of film and television actor Tom Wilkinson. Tom received six BAFTA nominations throughout his memorable career, winning Actor in a Supporting Role in 1998 for his role in The Full Monty. pic.twitter.com/Sc3cAHhL40

— BAFTA (@BAFTA) December 30, 2023

From The Full Monty to The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and so many more, Tom Wilkinson has had a tremendous impact on both Searchlight and cinematic history. We’ll miss you, Tom. pic.twitter.com/sUlTNbWXja

— Searchlight Pictures (@searchlightpics) December 30, 2023

Immensely privileged to have worked with Tom Wilkinson on ‘Denial’. A fantastically intelligent, gloriously grumpy presence. Once, on the tarmac at Krakow airport he turned and quoted a film at length to me. ‘The Wild Bunch’ I replied. He smiled. And I knew I was ok with him. RIP

— Mark Gatiss 💙 (@Markgatiss) December 31, 2023

Tom Wilkinson. What a career..what an actor.
Gerald in Monty encapsulates his brilliance – fantastic comic timing.. And then make you completely empathise for a seemingly arrogant curmudgeon pic.twitter.com/JRa4G7XNSp

— THOMAS COOMBES (@ThommyCoombes) December 30, 2023

So sad to hear of the passing of Tom. A wonderful man, he will be sorely missed by everyone who had the pleasure of working with him. A brilliant actor, truly one of the greats of not only his but of any generation.. RIP Tom Wilkinson https://t.co/pWDDEeToF3

— Robert Carlyle (@robertcarlyle_) December 30, 2023