A prolific actor and reluctant star, Tom Wilkinson, who has died aged 75, possessed many of the qualities of a favourite raincoat: he was unflashy, steadfast and could usually be relied upon when conditions were unfavourable.
The director Richard Eyre noted his “moral authority” and a tendency to bring “a sense of gravity and detail and intelligence.” Wilkinson said: “I see myself as a utility player, the one who can do everything. I’ve always felt that actors should have a degree of anonymity about them.” For that reason, celebrity was not his kettle of fish. “I can see it in other actors who love being famous. Me, I don’t care for it at all.”
