Patrick Wilson is a born entertainer. Before emerging in such films as “Hard Candy” and “Little Children,” Patrick came to dominate American theatre on both Broadway and the West Coast. He was born in Virginia and trained in theatre at Carnegie Mellon, graduating in 1995 with an Undergraduate Excellence in Music Theatre award. Following school he joined a couple of national acting troupes, touring and performing in shows like “Carousel.” Later, Patrick expanded into dramatic work on the stage, particularly the epic “The Cider House Rules,” and in 2000, a musical version of “The Full Monty.”
It was in 2003 in which Patrick, at age 30, had the opportunity to showcase his talents in both television and film. He bit into the meaty role on the HBO miniseries “Angels in America” opposite Al Pacino, and the following year joined the long-awaited but mediocre film adaptation of “The Phantom of the Opera.” In 2006, with roles in “Hard Candy” and “Little Children,” Patrick established his range and openness in inhabiting psychologically complex characters.
Patrick has really emerged into his own lately. Following his emergence onto the big screen, Patrick has graduated into lead roles such as the titular character “Barry Munday” and the much-anticipated big screen adaptation of the graphic novel, Watchmen. Depending on the success of these larger scale projects, Patrick is in prime position to assume a powerful position in Hollywood in the next decade, as the reigning kings Brad Pitt and George Clooney move into their 50s, passing on projects that could be filled by Patrick Wilson and those waiting in the ranks.
Patrick on the Screen
Patrick is Joe Pitt in the HBO miniseries “Angels in America” in 2003, followed by the role of William Travis in “The Alamo,” Raoul in “Phantom of the Opera,” and opposite Ellen Page in “Hard Candy.” He’s Michael Shephard in “Running with Scissors,” Brad in “Little Children,” and teamed with Neal McDonough on the low-grade indie “Brothers Three: An American Gothic” in 2007. Patrick’s more recent films include “Watchmen,” “The A-Team, “The Switch” and “Morning Glory.”
Patrick Says
On his 2003 resolution:
“To be in a movie or a play which doesn’t require me to take off my clothes. Unless, of course, I don’t get another job. In which case I’ll be half-naked and whole-heartedly depressed for the rest of my career.”