Old Thomas Nickerson — In the Heart of the Sea Character Profile

About Old Thomas Nickerson

The elderly innkeeper and sole survivor of the Essex in 1850. He narrates the harrowing survival story to author Herman Melville, initially refusing but eventually sharing his traumatic experiences after his wife's encouragement and reassurance regarding his wartime actions.

Character Facts

Played by

Brendan Gleeson

Appears in

In the Heart of the Sea (2015)

Role

Supporting

Relationships (4)

• Old Thomas Nickerson — related — Owen Coffin (Frank Dillane)
• Old Thomas Nickerson — Professional Captain And Cabin Boy — Owen Chase (Chris Hemsworth)

  Senior officer and junior crew member relationship during the whaling voyage.

• Old Thomas Nickerson — Professional Captain And Cabin Boy — George Pollard (Benjamin Walker)

  Direct reporting line from the youngest crew member to the ship's captain.

• Old Thomas Nickerson — Narrative Author And Source — Herman Melville (Ben Whishaw)

  Interviewer and interviewee dynamic where Melville seeks firsthand accounts.

Explore the full interactive character relationship map of In the Heart of the Sea

More characters from In the Heart of the Sea

• Owen Chase (Chris Hemsworth)
• George Pollard (Benjamin Walker)
• Matthew Joy (Cillian Murphy)
• Barzallai Ray (Edward Ashley)
• Herman Melville (Ben Whishaw)
• Thomas Chappel (Paul Anderson)
• Sheppard (Morgan Chetcuti)
• Richard Peterson (Osy Ikhile)
• Ramsdell (Sam Keeley)
• Young Thomas Nickerson (Tom Holland)
• Isaac Cole (Jamie Sives)
• Paul Macy (Donald Sumpter)