Patrick Wilson’s Breakout Role That Changed Everything
Patrick Wilson reveals how his performance in HBO’s Angels in America became the pivotal moment that transformed his career and led to new opportunities in Hollywood.
Before he was known for his work in horror blockbusters, Patrick Wilson was already making waves on the stage. He’d built a reputation as a talented performer in musicals, impressing crowds with his take on Curly in Oklahoma! long before Hugh Jackman took over the part. Despite his success in theatre, many doubted he’d ever be seen as more than a song-and-dance bloke, with some questioning whether he could handle more complex, darker roles.
Cracking into the world of film wasn’t a walk in the park for Wilson. He struggled to find roles that let him show the same depth he’d displayed on stage. That all changed when he landed a part in a project that blurred the lines between film, theatre, and television in a way that hadn’t really been done before. When Mike Nichols, a director with a string of classics under his belt, announced he’d be adapting Angels in America for HBO, it was a big deal. Nichols pulled together a cast packed with big names, making sure the miniseries would be anything but second-rate.
Landing a Defining Role
Angels in America quickly became recognised as a powerful piece of American storytelling, shining a light on the impact of the AIDS crisis during the Reagan years. The original play had already broken new ground by focusing on the struggles of the LGBTQ community, and Nichols was determined to do it justice on screen. He brought in heavy hitters like Al Pacino, Meryl Streep, and Emma Thompson to lead the cast, but Wilson faced a tough challenge playing Joe Pitt—a conservative lawyer and Mormon wrestling with his own identity.
Wilson later told Moviemaker that this role was a game-changer for him, saying,
“the award nominations and the buzz that that show got”
made all the difference. He added,
“I wasn’t a total kid, I’d been on Broadway, but by Joe Pitt being my audition tape for Hollywood, it automatically put me in a certain position. People thought, if he can hold his own opposite Meryl Streep and Al Pacino, then let’s offer him Hard Candy, let’s offer him Phantom of the Opera. Basically they thought, okay, he is an actor.”
From Stage to Screen Success
Few would have tipped Wilson, known for his sensitivity and poise on stage, to become a leading figure in horror. Yet, after dabbling in superhero flicks—playing Owl-Man in Watchmen and Ocean Master in Aquaman—he found his niche in the Insidious and The Conjuring series. Both franchises have gone from strength to strength, with Wilson’s performances helping to draw in punters and keep the stories fresh.
His knack for bringing a relatable touch to his characters has been a big part of their success. Wilson even stepped behind the camera to direct Insidious: The Red Door, the fifth film in the series, earning praise for his efforts. Meanwhile, The Conjuring: Last Rites smashed it at the box office, with audiences keen to see the Warrens back in action for another supernatural investigation.