Career
Wilson worked in a laboratory at Stobhill Hospital in Glasgow as a research assistant [5] before switching to acting, aged 27. He trained at Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, graduating in 1965 with an Acting (RADA Diploma). [6] He then appeared in repertory theatres in Edinburgh (Traverse Theatre), Glasgow and Manchester (Stables Theatre). [7]
Wilson initially turned down the role of Victor Meldrew and it was almost offered to Les Dawson before Wilson changed his mind. [8] Wilson has stated that he came to hate Meldrew's catchphrase of "I don't believe it!" to the point where he now refuses to say it except for charity. [9]
Wilson was appointed an OBE in the 1994 Birthday Honours [10] for services to Drama. In April 1996, he was elected Rector of the University of Glasgow for a term of three years. [5]
The narration of "The Man Who Called Himself Jesus", from Strawbs' 1969 eponymous first album, was performed by Wilson. [11]
Wilson's biography, One Foot on the Stage: The Biography of Richard Wilson, was written by James Roose-Evans. [12]
In March 2011, Wilson presented an edition of the Channel 4 current affairs programme Dispatches entitled Train Journeys From Hell, with transport journalist Christian Wolmar highlighting the failings of the British railway network. [13]
Personal life
Wilson has lived in London since 1959. [14]
Wilson has been a campaigner for gay rights for many years. [15] He appeared at charity events organised by gay rights campaign group Stonewall, but had not discussed his own sexuality in interviews with the media. [16] He was named in a list of influential gay people in 2013 by Time Out magazine, which he considered to have outed him. [17] [18]
Wilson is a supporter of his local football club, Greenock Morton, but he has come to lend greater support to English club Manchester United. [4] He is a patron of the Manchester United Supporters Trust. [19] Wilson is a good friend of his One Foot in the Grave co-star Angus Deayton, and is godfather to Deayton's son. [20]
Wilson is one of the patrons of Scottish Youth Theatre. [21] Wilson is also a long-time supporter of the charity Sense and in 2007 hosted their annual award ceremony. [22] He is also one of the honorary patrons of the London children's charity, Scene & Heard. [23] He has been Honorary President of the Scottish Community Drama Association (SCDA) since 1998. [24]
Wilson is a supporter of the Labour Party. He donated more than £5,000 to the party in 1997 [25] and recorded the party's manifesto on audio for the 2010 general election. [26] [27]
On 12 August 2016, it was reported that Wilson had suffered a heart attack. He had been due to reprise the role of Victor Meldrew in a one-man show at the 2016 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. [28]
In June 2021, Wilson was the guest on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs . His choices included "Hammond Song" by The Roches, Symphony No. 6 in D minor by Sibelius and "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" performed by Roberta Flack. His book choice was the poetry of Robert Burns and his luxury item was a subscription to The Guardian . [29]
Wilson had one older sister, who died in 2021, at the age of 91. [29] [30]
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