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Patrick Wilson
Patrick Wilson MFF 2016.jpg
Wilson in 2016
Born
Patrick Joseph Wilson

(1973-07-03) July 3, 1973 (age 51)
Education Carnegie Mellon University (BFA)
Occupation
  • Actor
  • director
  • producer
  • singer
Years active 1995–present
Spouse(s)
(m. 2005)
Children 2

Patrick Joseph Wilson (born July 3, 1973) is an American actor. He began his career in 1995, starring in Broadway musicals. He received nominations for two Tony Awards for his roles in The Full Monty (2000–2001) and Oklahoma! (2002). He co-starred in the acclaimed HBO miniseries Angels in America (2003), for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and a Primetime Emmy Award.

Wilson appeared in films such as The Phantom of the Opera (2004), Hard Candy (2005), Little Children (2006), Watchmen (2009), and The A-Team (2010). He gained wider recognition for his starring role in the Insidious film series (2010–2023) and as Ed Warren in The Conjuring universe (2013–present), both horror franchises. He made his directorial debut with the sequel Insidious: The Red Door (2023).

On television, Wilson starred in the CBS drama series A Gifted Man (2011–2012) and as Lou Solverson in the second season of FX's anthology series Fargo (2015), for which he received a second Golden Globe nomination. In the DC Extended Universe, he played Ocean Master in Aquaman (2018) and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023).

Early life

Patrick Joseph Wilson was born in Norfolk, Virginia, on July 3, 1973, the son of voice teacher and singer Mary Kay Wilson and WTVT news anchor John Franklin Wilson. He has two older brothers: Paul, an advertising executive, and Mark, who succeeded their father as a WTVT news anchor. Wilson grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he attended Shorecrest Preparatory School. In 1995, he graduated with a BFA in Drama from Carnegie Mellon University.

Career

Patrick Wilson 2014
Wilson at the Montclair Film Festival in May 2014

Early stage and TV work

In 1995, Wilson made his acting debut as an understudy in the role of Chris Scott in the national touring production of Miss Saigon. The following year, he portrayed Billy Bigelow in the national tour of Carousel. In 1999, he starred as Jamie Conway in the off-Broadway production of Bright Lights, Big City, and Wilson later made his Broadway theatre debut in The Full Monty (2000), portraying Jerry Lukowski. For his performance in the role, he was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical.

Circa 2000, Wilson completed work on the film My Sister's Wedding, which has never been released. He sang "On the Street Where You Live" from My Fair Lady for Julie Andrews' awards ceremony when she received the Kennedy Center Honors in 2001. In 2002, his performance as Curly McLain in the Broadway production of Oklahoma! received critical acclaim, with Wilson being nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical for the second time each. He won critical acclaim for his performance as the closeted Mormon Republican Joe Pitt in Mike Nichols' 2003 HBO drama miniseries Angels in America, receiving nominations for both the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film and the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie.

Early film work

In 2004, Wilson made his first film appearance in The Alamo, playing William B. Travis. That same year, he co-starred in the musical film The Phantom of the Opera as Viscount Raoul de Chagny. .....

In 2006, Wilson starred as Brad Adamson in Todd Field's Little Children. Also in 2006, he appeared in the Golden Globe Award-nominated Running with Scissors as Michael Shephard, which was directed by Ryan Murphy and produced by Brad Pitt. In 2007, he starred as Brian Callahan in the independent film Purple Violets, which was written and directed by Edward Burns. In 2008, he starred in Neil LaBute's Lakeview Terrace.

Wilson played Dan Dreiberg / Nite Owl II in Zack Snyder's 2009 film adaptation of the graphic novel Watchmen, gaining 25 pounds for the role after filming flashback scenes as the slimmer Nite Owl II. This film reunited Wilson with his Little Children co-star, Jackie Earle Haley. On October 19, 2010, in Yankee Stadium, he sang "God Bless America" during the seventh-inning stretch of Game 4 of the American League Championship Series between the Texas Rangers and the New York Yankees. On November 20, 2010, in Yankee Stadium, he sang the United States National Anthem before the first football game in the new stadium, played between Army and Notre Dame.

International breakthrough

Wilson played the primary antagonist Lynch in 2010's The A-Team, and co-starred with Rose Byrne in James Wan's horror film Insidious. He returned for the latter film's sequel, Insidious: Chapter 2, which was released in 2013. In 2013, Wilson portrayed the famous paranormal investigator Ed Warren, alongside Vera Farmiga starring as his wife Lorraine, in the horror film The Conjuring. The film was critically acclaimed, becoming one of the highest grossing horror films of all time. Wilson reprised the role in the film's sequel, The Conjuring 2, released on June 10, 2016.

In January 2014, Wilson was announced to portray the lead role, Lou Solverson, in the second season of FX's anthology series Fargo. He was nominated for the 2015 Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film for his performance. In March 2014, Wilson was cast in an unspecified role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Ant-Man, but later left the film due to scheduling conflicts brought upon by multiple delays with the film's production. That same year, he was cast as Arthur O'Dwyer in the Western film Bone Tomahawk, opposite Kurt Russell and Matthew Fox.

Ongoing success and directorial debut

In 2016, he co-starred in John Lee Hancock's biopic The Founder, as Rollie Smith, based on the life of McDonald's fast food restaurants' founder Ray Kroc. In August 2016, Barbra Streisand released the album Encore: Movie Partners Sing Broadway, on which she and Wilson duet the song "Loving You" from the Stephen Sondheim musical Passion.

Patrick Wilson by Gage Skidmore
Wilson at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2018

In 2018, Wilson co-starred in Jaume Collet-Serra's action thriller The Commuter, reuniting with The Conjuring co-star Farmiga, and portraying a trusted friend of Liam Neeson's character. Also that year, he portrayed Orm Marius / Ocean Master in the DC Extended Universe film Aquaman, directed by long-time collaborator James Wan. Wilson reprised his role in the 2023 sequel film Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.

On November 8, 2019, Roland Emmerich's World War II film Midway, was released, starring Wilson along with Ed Skrein, Mandy Moore, Luke Evans, Aaron Eckhart, Nick Jonas, Dennis Quaid and Woody Harrelson. In June 2020, Wilson signed on to Emmerich's Moonfall, which was released in 2022.

Announced in October 2020, Wilson made his directorial debut with Insidious: The Red Door, released July 7, 2023, in the US, serving as a direct sequel to Insidious: Chapter 2 with both Wilson and Ty Simpkins reprising their roles. Scott Teems wrote the script based on a story by Leigh Whannell. Whannell, James Wan, Jason Blum, and Oren Peli will produce the film. He also contributed vocals to the end credits song "Stay" on the film's soundtrack, collaborating with Swedish metal band Ghost, who he is a fan of.

Charity work

In May 2012, the band VanWilson (consisting of Wilson on vocals and drums and his brothers on guitar and vocals) performed a benefit concert for Southeastern Guide Dogs' Paws For Patriots program in St. Petersburg, Florida. They raised $30,000 for the program and were honored by the organization by having puppies named after them. The brothers have also performed benefit concerts for All Children's Hospital and the St. Petersburg Free Clinic.

Personal life

Wilson married Polish-American actress and fellow Carnegie Mellon alumna Dagmara Domińczyk in 2005. They have two sons, born in 2006 and 2009, and reside in Montclair, New Jersey. Patrick’s youngest son Kassian has appeared in a few films, including Prodigal Son as Young Malcolm, and a cameo in Insidious: The Red Door. His sister-in-law is actress Marika Domińczyk, who is married to actor and director Scott Foley.

In April 2012, Wilson gave the keynote address for his alma mater, Carnegie Mellon University, in which he spoke of his memories from childhood and through his career.

Filmography

Film

List of films and roles
Year Title Role Notes
2001 My Sister's Wedding Quinn Unreleased film
2004 Alamo, TheThe Alamo William B. Travis
Phantom of the Opera, TheThe Phantom of the Opera Viscount Raoul de Chagny Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion
Picture, Comedy or Musical
2005 Hard Candy Jeff Kohlver Nominated—Fangoria Chainsaw Award for Relationship from Hell
(shared with Elliot Page)
2006 Little Children Brad Adamson Young Hollywood Award for Breakthrough Performance – Male
Nominated—Awards Circuit Community Award for Best Cast Ensemble
Nominated—Satellite award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama
Running with Scissors Michael Shephard
2007 Purple Violets Brian Callahan
Evening Harris Arden
Brothers Three: An American Gothic Peter
2008 Life in Flight Will Sargent
Lakeview Terrace Chris Mattson
Passengers Eric Clark
2009 Watchmen Dan Dreiberg / Nite Owl II
2010 Barry Munday Barry Munday
A-Team, TheThe A-Team Agent Lynch / Agent Vance Burress
Switch, TheThe Switch Roland Nilson
Insidious Josh Lambert Nominated—Scream Award for Best Horror Actor
Morning Glory Adam Bennett
2011 Ledge, TheThe Ledge Joe Harris
Young Adult Buddy Slade
2012 Prometheus Mr. Shaw
2013 Conjuring, TheThe Conjuring Ed Warren Nominated—Fright Meter Award for Best Actor
Insidious: Chapter 2 Josh Lambert Nominated—Fangoria Chainsaw Award for Best Actor
Nominated—Fright Meter Award for Best Actor
2014 Jack Strong David Forden
Space Station 76 Captain Glenn Terry
Stretch Kevin "Stretch" Brzyzowski
Big Stone Gap Jack MacChesney
Let's Kill Ward's Wife David Also producer
2015 Zipper Sam Ellis
Home Sweet Hell Don Champagne
Bone Tomahawk Arthur O'Dwyer
2016 Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice President of the United States (voice) Cameo
Kind of Murder, AA Kind of Murder Walter Stackhouse
Hollow Point, TheThe Hollow Point Sheriff Wallace Skolkin
Conjuring 2, TheThe Conjuring 2 Ed Warren
Founder, TheThe Founder Rollie Smith
2018 Commuter, TheThe Commuter Alex Murphy
Nightmare Cinema Eric Sr.
Aquaman Orm Marius / Ocean Master Nominated—Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Villain
2019 Annabelle Comes Home Ed Warren
Assistant, TheThe Assistant Famous actor Uncredited cameo
In the Tall Grass Ross Humboldt
Midway Edwin T. Layton
2021 The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It Ed Warren
2022 Moonfall Brian Harper
2023 Insidious: The Red Door Josh Lambert Also director
The Nun II Ed Warren Cameo
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom Orm Marius / Ocean Master
TBA Untitled Noah Baumbach film Filming
Key
Films that have not yet been released Denotes films that have not yet been released

Television

List of television appearances and roles
Year Title Role Notes
2003 Angels in America Joe Pitt 6 episodes;
Online Film & Television Association Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film
Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film
2006 Tampa Bay: Living Legacy Narrator (voice) Documentary film
2009 American Dad! Jim (voice) Episode: "Wife Insurance"
2011–2012 Gifted Man, AA Gifted Man Dr. Michael Holt 16 episodes
2013, 2017 Girls Joshua 2 episodes;
Nominated—Critics Choice Television Award for Best Guest Performer in a Comedy Series
Nominated—Gold Derby Award for Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
2015 Fargo Lou Solverson 10 episodes;
Nominated—Critics Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Movie/Miniseries
Nominated—Gold Derby Award for Best Actor in a Television Movie/Miniseries
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film
Nominated—IGN Summer Movie Award for Best Television Actor
Nominated—Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Series
2019 Other Two, TheThe Other Two Himself Episode: "Chase Shoots a Music Video"
2022 Teen Titans Go! Himself (voice) Episode: "365!"
2022 Little Demon Everette (voice) Episode: "Everybody's Dying for the Weekend"

Video games

List of video game voice roles
Year Title Role Notes
2009 Watchmen: The End Is Nigh Nite Owl II (voice)

Stage

List of stage performances and roles
Year Title Role Category Notes
1995 The Secret Garden Lieutenant Shaw Regional
Miss Saigon Marine / Slater

u/s Chris Scott

U.S. national tour
1996 Carousel Billy Bigelow
1997 Harmony Erwin "Chopin" Bootz Regional
1999 Bright Lights, Big City Jamie Conway Off-Broadway Nominated—Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical
2000 Tenderloin Tommy Howatt Encores!
2000–2001 Full Monty, TheThe Full Monty Jerry Lukowski Broadway Nominated—Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical
Nominated—Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical
2002 Oklahoma! Curly McLain Nominated—Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical
Nominated—Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical
2006 Barefoot in the Park Paul Bratter
2008–2009 All My Sons Chris Keller
2014 Guys and Dolls Sky Masterson Concert Carnegie Hall
2017 Brigadoon Tommy Albright Off-Broadway Special Event
2023 Gutenberg! The Musical! Producer Broadway One night only

Audio work

Cast recordings

  • Allegro (2009; studio cast recording)
  • Bright Lights, Big City (2005; studio cast recording)
  • The Full Monty (2001; original Broadway cast recording)
  • Dreamgirls in Concert (as film executive; 2001 concert cast recording)
  • Tenderloin (2000; Encores! concert cast recording)
  • Lucky in the Rain (2000; studio cast recording)
  • Terrence Mann's Romeo & Juliet: The Musical from William Shakespeare (1999)
  • Brigadoon (2017; New York City Center cast recording)

Soundtracks

  • The Phantom of the Opera (2004)
  • Insidious: The Red Door (2023)

Audiobooks

Miscellaneous

  • Every Day Is a Holiday (2009 Christmas album) by Mary McBride
  • Lucky (2004 CD) by Gary Kline
  • Broadway Cares: Home for the Holidays (2001 CD)
  • The Dreams in You (2001 CD)
  • Encore: Movie Partners Sing Broadway (2016 CD) by Barbra Streisand
  • Stay - Ghost (2023 CD)

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Patrick Wilson (actor) para niños Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Patrick Wilson (actor) para niños

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