Gary Oldman

{{Infobox person

| name = Gary Oldman

| image = Gary Oldman (13948780853) (cropped).jpg

| caption = Oldman in 2014

| birth_name = Gary Leonard Oldman

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1958|3|21}}

| birth_place = London, England

| education = Rose Bruford College (BA)

| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|filmmaker}}

| spouse = {{unbulleted list|{{marriage|Lesley Manville|1987|1990|end=divorced}}|{{marriage|Uma Thurman|1990|1992|end=divorced}}|{{marriage|Donya Fiorentino|1997|2001|end=divorced}}|{{marriage|Alexandra Edenborough|2008|2015|end=divorced}}|{{marriage|Gisele Schmidt|2017}}}}

| children = 3

| partner = Isabella Rossellini (1994–1996)

| relatives = Laila Morse (sister)

| years_active = 1979–present

| works = Full list

| awards = Full list

| signature = File:Gary Oldman signature.png

}}

Gary Leonard Oldman (born 21 March 1958) is an English actor and filmmaker. Known for his versatility and intense acting style, he has received various accolades, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, three British Academy Film Awards, and nominations for two Primetime Emmy Awards. His films have grossed over $11 billion worldwide, making him one of the highest-grossing actors of all time.{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/galleries/most-profitable-highest-grossing-actors/#:~:text=And%20while%20fans%20can%20debate,in%20a%20dishonest%20Gotham%20City|title=The 30 Highest-Grossing Actors of All Time, Ranked|website=Collider|date=3 July 2019 |access-date=2 November 2020}}

Oldman began acting in theatre in 1979 and made his film debut in Remembrance (1982). He appeared in London's Royal Court and was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, with credits including Cabaret, Romeo and Juliet, Entertaining Mr Sloane, Saved, The Country Wife, and Hamlet. He rose to prominence in British film with his portrayals of Sid Vicious in Sid and Nancy (1986), Joe Orton in Prick Up Your Ears (1987) and Rosencrantz in Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead (1990). Regarded as a member of the "Brit Pack",{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OXRBBAAAQBAJ&dq=bruce+payne+brit+pack&pg=PA198 |first=Alan |last=Kistler |title=Doctor Who: A History |publisher=Lyons Press |year=2013 |access-date=20 November 2021 |page=198 |isbn=9781493000166}} he achieved greater recognition as a New York gangster in State of Grace (1990), Lee Harvey Oswald in JFK (1991), and Count Dracula in Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992).

Oldman portrayed villainous roles in True Romance (1993), Léon: The Professional (1994), The Fifth Element (1997), Air Force One (1997), and The Contender (2000). He has also played franchise roles such as Sirius Black in the Harry Potter series (2004–2011), James "Jim" Gordon in The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005–2012), Lord Shen in Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011), and Dreyfus in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014). He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Winston Churchill in the historical drama Darkest Hour (2017). He was Oscar-nominated for his portrayals of George Smiley in the thriller Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011), and Herman J. Mankiewicz in drama Mank (2020).

Oldman also wrote and directed the film Nil by Mouth (1997). On television, he starred in the BBC film The Firm (1989). Since 2022, he has starred as Jackson Lamb, a British spy in the Apple TV+ thriller series Slow Horses for which he was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. He also earned an Emmy-nomination for his guest role as a serious actor on the NBC sitcom Friends in 2001. He has also acted in music videos for David Bowie, Guns N' Roses, and Annie Lennox.

Early life and education

Gary Leonard OldmanBirths, Marriages & Deaths Index of England & Wales, 1916–2005. was born in New Cross, London, on 21 March 1958,{{cite web |title=Gary Oldman: 10 essential films |url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/lists/gary-oldman-10-essential-films |website=British Film Institute |date=21 March 2018 |access-date=9 June 2020}}{{Who's Who | title=Oldman, Gary | id = U28834 | volume = 2015 | edition = online Oxford University Press}} the son of Leonard Bertram Oldman (1921–1985), a former sailor who also worked as a welder, and Kathleen (née Cheriton; 1919–2018).[https://web.archive.org/web/20150920122502/http://www.talktalk.co.uk/entertainment/film/biography/artist/gary-oldman/biography/136 Gary Oldman – Biography]. TalkTalk. Wayback Machine. Retrieved 20 September 2015. He said his father was an alcoholic who left the family when Oldman was seven years old.{{cite web |url= http://www.zakka.dk/euroscreenwriters/interviews/gary_oldman_525.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060510060800/http://www.zakka.dk/euroscreenwriters/interviews/gary_oldman_525.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 May 2006 |title=EuroScreenwriters – Interviews with European Film Directors – Gary Oldman |publisher=Zakka.dk |access-date=11 January 2010}} His older sister, Maureen, is an actress better known as Laila Morse; she performed in Oldman's directorial debut Nil by Mouth (1997), before taking on her most famous role of Mo Harris in the BBC soap opera EastEnders.

Oldman attended West Greenwich School in Deptford, leaving at the age of 16 to work in a sports shop. He played piano as a child, but he gave up his musical aspirations to pursue an acting career after seeing Malcolm McDowell's performance in the film The Raging Moon (1971).{{cite web| first= Gary | last= Oldman| url= https://charlierose.com/videos/7374 |title= Videos | interviewer= Charlie Rose |work=charlierose.com |access-date=12 August 2014}}{{cite web| url= http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/03/17/malcolm-mcdowell-honoured_n_1355299.html |title=Malcolm McDowell Honoured With Walk of Fame Star, Gary Oldman Pays Tribute |work=Huffington Post |date=17 March 2012}}{{cite web |url= http://www.cinecon.com/news.php?id=0506142|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051201192720/http://www.cinecon.com/news.php?id=0506142|archive-date=1 December 2005|author=Aames, Ethan|work=Cinema Confidential News|date=14 June 2005 |title=Interview: Morgan Freeman & Gary Oldman on 'Batman Begins' | via= cinecon.com}} In a 1995 interview with Charlie Rose, he said, "Something about Malcolm just arrested me, and I connected, and I said, 'I wanna do that.'"

Growing up in south London, Oldman supported his local football club, Millwall, but also followed Manchester United because he idolised George Best.{{cite news |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/gary-oldman-the-spy-who-came-in-and-brought-the-cold-with-him-2356597.html |title=Gary Oldman: The spy who came in, and brought the cold with him|newspaper= The Independent|date=18 September 2011 |first=Demetrios |last= Matheou| access-date=22 June 2015|archive-date=14 February 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190214174449/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/gary-oldman-the-spy-who-came-in-and-brought-the-cold-with-him-2356597.html|url-status=live|quote=...Gulliver Flynn (1997) and Charlie John (1999)}} In 2011, he learned from his mother that his father had played for Millwall just after World War II: "Just after the war, [my mother] ran a boarding house for football players{{emdash}}Millwall players. And I knew that my dad was involved somehow with the reserve team. But two weeks ago my mum said, 'Oh yeah, your dad played for Millwall. When he was young he had a couple of first team games.'"

Oldman studied with the Young People's Theatre in Greenwich during the mid-1970s,{{cite web|url=https://movies.yahoo.com/person/gary-oldman/biography.html |title=Gary Oldman – Biography |access-date=25 February 2012 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709022540/http://movies.yahoo.com/person/gary-oldman/biography.html |archive-date=9 July 2012}} Yahoo! Movies. Retrieved 9 July 2012. while working jobs on assembly lines, as a porter in an operating theatre, selling shoes and beheading pigs in an abattoir. He applied unsuccessfully to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), which welcomed him to try again the following year, but advised him to find something else to do for a living. When asked by Charlie Rose if he had reminded RADA of this, Oldman joked that "the work speaks for itself".

He won a scholarship to attend the Rose Bruford College in Sidcup, south-east London, from which he graduated with a BA in Acting in 1979. Oldman described himself as a "shy" but diligent worker during his time there, performing roles such as Puck in William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/TkEARuoJ9iE Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20150809085407/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkEARuoJ9iE&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkEARuoJ9iE&t=8m2s|title=Conversations... with Gary Oldman (3 November 2011)|date=7 February 2014|publisher=SAG-AFTRA Foundation|access-date=17 November 2019}}{{cbignore}}

Career

= 1979–1985: Early roles and theatre work =

After leaving drama school, Oldman was the first in his year to receive professional work; he stated that this was not a result of being the most talented actor, but rather diligence and application. In 1979, he starred in Thark, opposite Annette Kerr, at York's Theatre Royal.{{cite web|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/13130118.annette-kerr/|title=Annette Kerr|last=Beacom|first=Brian|date=4 November 2013|website=The Herald|access-date=23 January 2019}} Subsequent plays included Cabaret, Privates on Parade and Romeo and Juliet.{{cite web|url=https://www.iam.film/press/garyoldmanmasterclass|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930171118/https://www.iam.film/press/garyoldmanmasterclass|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 September 2020|title=Masterclass: I Am Gary Oldman|date=29 June 2018|website=I Am Film|access-date=23 January 2019}} In December 1979, Oldman appeared as Puss in Dick Whittington and His Cat, staged at York.{{cite web|url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/17304069.ooh-yes-it-is-the-early-years-of-dame-berwick/|title=Ooh yes it is: The early years of Dame Berwick|last=Lewis|first=Stephen|date=24 December 2018|website=The Press|access-date=23 January 2019}} He also acted in Colchester, then with Glasgow's Citizens Theatre; Oldman's work ethic and trademark intensity would make him a favourite with audiences in Glasgow during the 1980s. He also toured Europe and South America with the Citizens Theatre company.

From 1980 to 1981, Oldman appeared in The Massacre at Paris (Christopher Marlowe), Desperado Corner (Shaun Lawton) and Robert David MacDonald's plays Chinchilla and A Waste of Time. He performed in a 6-month West End run of MacDonald's Summit Conference, opposite Glenda Jackson, in 1982. Also that year, Oldman made his film debut in Colin Gregg's Remembrance, and would have starred in Don Boyd's Gossip if that film had not collapsed. The following year, he landed a starring role as a skinhead in Mike Leigh's film Meantime, and moved on to Chesterfield to assume the lead role in Entertaining Mr Sloane (Joe Orton). He then went to Westcliffe to star in Saved (Edward Bond).

Saved proved to be a major breakthrough for Oldman. Max Stafford-Clark, artistic director of the Royal Court Theatre, had seen Oldman's performance and cast him as Scopey, the lead role of Bond's The Pope's Wedding, in 1984. For his acclaimed performance, he won two of British theatre's top honours: the Time Out Fringe Award for Best Newcomer, and the Drama Theatre Award for Best Actor—the latter of which was shared with future film co-star Anthony Hopkins for his performance in Pravda.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/artist/gary-oldman-53946/bio |title=Gary Oldman All Movie Guide biography |publisher=Allmovie.com |date=21 March 1958 |access-date=23 March 2010}} Oldman's turn in The Pope's Wedding led to a run of work with the Royal Court, and from 1984 to 1986 he appeared in Rat in the Skull (Ron Hutchinson), The Desert Air (Nicholas Wright), Cain and Abel, The Danton Affair (Pam Gems), Women Beware Women (Thomas Middleton), Real Dreams (Trevor Griffiths) and all three of Bond's The War Plays: Red Black and Ignorant, The Tin Can People and Great Peace. Oldman was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company from 1985 to 1986.{{cite book|last=Trowbridge|first=Simon|title=Stratfordians|publisher=Editions Albert Creed|location=Oxford, England|year=2008|page=381|chapter=Gary Oldman|isbn=978-0-9559830-1-6}}

= 1986–1993: Rise to prominence and breakthrough =

The 1984 production of The Pope's Wedding had been seen by director Alex Cox, who offered Oldman the part of musician Sid Vicious in the 1986 film Sid and Nancy. He twice turned down the role before accepting it, because, in his own words: "I wasn't really that interested in Sid Vicious and the punk movement. I'd never followed it. It wasn't something that interested me. The script I felt was banal and 'who cares' and 'why bother' and all of that. And I was a little bit sort-of with my nose in the air and sort-of thinking 'well the theatre—so much more superior' and all of that." He reconsidered based on the salary and the urging of his agent.

In 1987, Oldman gained his third starring film role as Joe Orton in Prick Up Your Ears, for which he received a BAFTA nomination for Best Actor. That same year, he appeared in the plays The Country Wife (William Wycherley) and Serious Money (Caryl Churchill). Film director Luc Besson told how, on the set of The Fifth Element (1997), Oldman could recite any scene from Hamlet (William Shakespeare), in which he had starred a decade earlier.{{cite web|url=http://www.industrycentral.net/director_interviews/LB01.HTM|title=Filmmaker Luc Besson explains how a childhood fantasy became a hit sci-fi epic|last=Schaefer|first=Stephen|date=1997|publisher=IndustryCentral|access-date=27 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119012610/http://www.industrycentral.net/director_interviews/LB01.HTM|archive-date=19 November 2012|url-status=dead}}

Oldman's performances in Sid and Nancy and Prick Up Your Ears paved the way for work in Hollywood, garnering acclaim from United States film critic Roger Ebert. Ebert wrote, "There is no point of similarity between the two performances; like a few gifted actors, [Oldman] is able to re-invent himself for every role. On the basis of these two movies, he is the best young British actor around."{{cite news |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/prick-up-your-ears-1987 |title=Prick Up Your Ears |author=Roger Ebert |date=8 May 1987 |work=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=21 May 2009}} Vicious's former Sex Pistols bandmate, John Lydon, despite criticising Sid and Nancy, described Oldman as a "bloody good actor".{{cite web|url=http://slashback.multiply.com/video/item/9/Sid_Nancy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071127033520/http://slashback.multiply.com/video/item/9/Sid_Nancy |archive-date=27 November 2007 |title=Clash Back – Sid & Nancy |website=Multiply |date=7 November 1986 |access-date=11 January 2010}} The performance would go on to be ranked No. 62 in Premiere magazine's "100 Greatest Performances of All Time"{{cite web|url=https://www.filmsite.org/100greatperformances2.html|title=Premiere: 100 Greatest Movie Performances of All Time (part 2)|publisher=Filmsite.org|access-date=1 January 2020}} and No. 8 in Uncut magazine's "10 Best actors in rockin' roles", the latter describing Oldman's portrayal as a "hugely sympathetic reading of the punk figurehead as a lost and bewildered manchild.""10 Best actors in rockin' roles". Uncut magazine. Issue No. 117. February 2007.

In late 1988, he starred opposite "hero" Alan Bates in We Think the World of You, and in 1989 alongside Dennis Hopper and Frances McDormand in the Chattahoochee. Also in 1989, Oldman also starred as football hooligan Clive "Bex" Bissel in controversial British television drama The Firm,{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/critic-s-picks-gary-oldman-s-10-best-performances-1058864/item/tinker-tailor-soldier-spy-gary-oldman-roles-1058863|title=Critic's Picks: Gary Oldman's 10 Best Performances|last=Dalton|first=Stephen|date=16 November 2017|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=21 February 2018}} giving a performance that Total Film numbered as his best and called "stunning" and "fearless" in 2011.Winning, Josh. [https://web.archive.org/web/20120124014716/http://www.totalfilm.com/features/gary-oldman-best-movies/the-firm-1988 The film chameleon's greatest moments: The Firm]. Total Film. 11 April 2011. Retrieved 24 January 2012. Oldman and other young British actors of the 1980s who were becoming established Hollywood film actors, such as Tim Roth, Bruce Payne, Colin Firth, Daniel Day-Lewis and Paul McGann, were dubbed the "Brit Pack",{{cite magazine|last=Van Poznak|first=Elissa|date=January 1987|title=The Brit Pack|url=http://www.agwlbp.com/facejan.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007181058/http://www.agwlbp.com/facejan.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=7 October 2011|magazine=The Face|access-date=1 August 2019}} of which Oldman was de facto leader.Stern, Marlow. [http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/12/07/gary-oldman-talks-tinker-tailor-soldier-spy-batman-retirement.html "Gary Oldman Talks 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy,' 'Batman' Retirement"]. The Daily Beast. 8 December 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2012.

In 1990, Oldman costarred with Tim Roth in Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead, Tom Stoppard's film adaptation of his own play of the same name. Total Film praised the movie, calling Oldman's character "a blitz of brilliant comedy timing and pitch perfect line delivery."Winning, Josh. [https://web.archive.org/web/20110414105548/http://www.totalfilm.com/features/gary-oldman-best-movies/rosencrantz-guildenstern-are-dead-1990 The film chameleon's greatest moments: Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead]. Total Film. 11 April 2011. Retrieved 14 April 2011. He then starred opposite Sean Penn and Ed Harris in State of Grace (1990); Roger Ebert described Oldman's turn as the highlight,[https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/state-of-grace-1990 Ebert, Roger]. The Chicago Sun-Times, film review, 14 September 1990. Retrieved 10 July 2012. and Janet Maslin referred to his work as "phenomenal".{{cite news |url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9C0CE4DE1238F937A2575AC0A966958260 |title=Movie Review – State of Grace |author=Maslin, Janet |work=The New York Times |date=14 September 1990 |access-date=21 May 2009}} He was offered, but turned down, the lead role in that year's Edward Scissorhands.{{cite web|url=http://metro.co.uk/2015/12/06/edward-scissorhands-is-25-here-are-25-cutting-facts-about-tim-burtons-classic-5529399/|title=Edward Scissorhands is 25|last=McG|first=Ross|date=6 December 2015|website=Metro|access-date=1 January 2020}} Oldman moved to the United States in the early 1990s, where he has resided since.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/3666071/More-Mr-Nice-Guy.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/3666071/More-Mr-Nice-Guy.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=More Mr Nice Guy |author=Craig McLean |date=28 June 2007 |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=21 May 2009 | location=London}}{{cbignore}}

In 1991, he began filming Dylan Thomas, a biopic on Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, with his then-wife Uma Thurman as Caitlin Thomas; production shut down shortly after filming began.{{cite news|last=Dworkin|first=Susan|date=8 November 1992|title=A Vicious Undertaking|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/11/08/magazine/a-vicious-undertaking.html|url-status=bot: unknown|work=The New York Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405001010/https://www.nytimes.com/1992/11/08/magazine/a-vicious-undertaking.html|archive-date=5 April 2022|url-access=registration|access-date=17 April 2022}} Later in 1991, Oldman starred in his first US blockbuster, playing Lee Harvey Oswald in Oliver Stone's JFK. According to Oldman, very little was written about Oswald in the script. Stone gave him several plane tickets, a list of contacts and told him to do his own research.{{cite news | last = Lawrence | first = Will | title = In Conversation with Gary Oldman | work = Empire | page = 130 | date = August 2007 }} Oldman met with Oswald's wife, Marina, and her two daughters to prepare for the role.{{cite book |last=Salewicz|first=Chris|author-link=Chris Salewicz|date=February 1998|title=Oliver Stone: Close Up: The Making of His Movies|publisher=Thunder's Mouth Press|isbn=0-7528-1820-1|page=83}} He filmed scenes for the 1992 neo-noir thriller Final Analysis, which were cut.{{cite magazine|last=Hemphill|first=Jim|date=14 July 2015|title="We Lost U2. What About Ennio Morricone?": Phil Joanou on State of Grace, Making Heaven's Prisoners and Working for Blumhouse|url=https://filmmakermagazine.com/94831-we-lost-u2-what-about-ennio-morricone-phil-joanou-on-state-of-grace-making-heavens-prisoners-and-working-for-blumhouse/#.XtB_RJ5KjDE|magazine=Filmmaker|publisher=Independent Filmmaker Project|access-date=29 May 2020}}

In 1992, he starred as Count Dracula in Francis Ford Coppola's romance-horror Bram Stoker's Dracula. A commercially successful film adaptation of Bram Stoker's 1897 novel,{{cite web|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movies/1992/0BRMS.php |title=Movie Dracula – Box Office Data, News, Cast Information – The Numbers |publisher=The Numbers |access-date=11 January 2010}} it was a box office success worldwide. Oldman's performance was recognised as the best male performance of 1992 by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, which awarded Oldman its Best Actor award.{{cite web|url=http://www.saturnawards.org/past.html#filmactor |title=Past Saturn Awards |publisher=The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films |access-date=21 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209012608/http://www.saturnawards.org/past.html |archive-date=9 February 2010 }} He served as a member of the Jury at the 1993 Cannes Film Festival.{{cite web|url=https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/69-editions/retrospective/1993/juries/feature-films|title=Festival de Cannes|website=Festival de Cannes 2018|language=en|access-date=21 November 2018}} Oldman became a popular portrayer of villains: he played violent pimp Drexl Spivey in the Tony Scott-directed, Quentin Tarantino-written True Romance (1993), a role which MSN Movies described as "one of cinema's most memorable villains";[https://web.archive.org/web/20130610003302/http://movies.msn.com/movies/gallery.aspx?gallery=26177&photo=c07ff50e-8326-4d4d-bff2-acb16b7702c9 True Romance (1993) – Drexl Spivey]. MSN Movies. 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2012. a sadistic prison warden in Murder in the First (1995); futuristic corporate tyrant Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg in The Fifth Element (1997); and Dr. Zachary Smith/Spider Smith in the commercially successful but critically panned Lost in Space (1998). He was considered for two roles in Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction (1994), but neither were realised. Tarantino contemplated Oldman as gangster Jules Winnfield (played by Samuel L. Jackson),{{cite book|last=Bailey|first=Jason|date=11 November 2013|title=Pulp Fiction: The Complete Story of Quentin Tarantino's Masterpiece|publisher=Voyageur Press|page=84|isbn=978-0760344798}} while TriStar executives recommended him for drug dealer Lance (portrayed by Eric Stoltz).{{cite journal|last=Roberts|first=Chris|date=August 1999|title=Gary Oldman: A sheep in wolf's clothing|journal=Uncut|publisher=IPC Media|issue=27}}{{cite web|url=http://www.shortlist.com/entertainment/films/50-things-you-(probably)-didnt-know-about-pulp-fiction|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031051829/http://www.shortlist.com/entertainment/films/50-things-you-(probably)-didnt-know-about-pulp-fiction|title=50 Things You (Probably) Didn't Know About Pulp Fiction (#34)|website=ShortList|date=28 October 2013|archive-date=31 October 2013}}

= 1994–2003: Established actor =

File:Gary Oldman 2000 (cropped).jpg

In 1994's Léon: The Professional, he played corrupt DEA officer Norman Stansfield, which has since been named by multiple publications as one of the best villains,{{cite magazine | last = Wales | first = George | url = http://www.totalfilm.com/features/100-greatest-movie-villains/norman-stansfield | title = 100 Greatest Movie Villains: Norman Stansfield | magazine = Total Film | date = 23 May 2011 | access-date = 22 December 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120106231652/http://www.totalfilm.com/features/100-greatest-movie-villains/norman-stansfield | archive-date = 6 January 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.virginmedia.com/movies/features/top-20-villains-we-love-to-hate.php?page=8 |work=Top 20 Villains We Love to Hate |title=Norman Stansfield – Leon (1994) |publisher=Virgin Media |access-date=4 October 2013 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004231221/http://www.virginmedia.com/movies/features/top-20-villains-we-love-to-hate.php?page=8 |archive-date=4 October 2013 }}{{cite web | last = Mackay | first = Mairi | url = http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/07/24/top10psychos.tsr/index.html | title = The Screening Room's top 10 movie psychos | publisher = CNN | date = 29 July 2008 | access-date = 22 December 2011}}{{cite web | url = http://www.ofcs.org/2010/09/ofcs-top-100-top-100-villains-of-all.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110722174845/http://www.ofcs.org/2010/09/ofcs-top-100-top-100-villains-of-all.html | title = OFCS Top 100: Top 100 Villains of All Time | publisher = Online Film Critics Society | date = 27 September 2010 | archive-date = 22 July 2011}}{{cite news | url = http://www.hollywood.com/content/feature_detail.aspx?id=5280993&p=3 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100103000926/http://www.hollywood.com/content/feature_detail.aspx?id=5280993&p=3 | title = Top 10 All-Time Best Villains | work = Hollywood.com | first = Kit | last = Bowen | date = 25 July 2008 | archive-date=3 January 2010| access-date = 10 August 2012}}{{cite web|last=Bettridge |first=Daniel |url=http://entertainment.ca.msn.com/movies/galleries/best-british-villains?page=2 |work=Best British villains |title=Gary Oldman as Norman Stansfield – Leon: The Professional (1994) |publisher=MSN Movies |date=13 May 2013 |archive-date=28 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228224312/http://entertainment.ca.msn.com/movies/galleries/best-british-villains?page=2 }}{{cite web | last = Waller | first = Georgine | url = http://home.bt.com/film/filmfeatures/movie-villains-we-love-to-hate-11363802873744 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160427233234/http://home.bt.com/film/filmfeatures/movie-villains-we-love-to-hate-11363802873744 | url-status=dead | archive-date = 27 April 2016 | work = Movie villains we love to hate | title = Norman Stansfield (5/6) | publisher = BT Group | date = 22 April 2014 | access-date = 26 October 2014}} and most corrupt cops,{{cite web|url=http://www.virginmedia.com/movies/features/top-10-bent-movie-cops.php?page=8 |work=Top 10 Bent Movie Cops |title=3. Agent Stansfield – Leon (1994) |publisher=Virgin Media |access-date=28 July 2014 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728181014/http://www.virginmedia.com/movies/features/top-10-bent-movie-cops.php?page=8 |archive-date=28 July 2014 }}{{cite web | last = Vizcarrondo | first = Sara Maria | url = https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/Total-Recall-The-10-Most-Corrupt-Cops-in-Movies/ | title = The 10 Most Corrupt Cops in Movies | website = Rotten Tomatoes | date = 9 April 2008 | access-date = 3 July 2012 }}{{cite news | url = https://www.indiewire.com/article/here-are-13-corrupt-cops-you-love-to-hate-in-honor-of-james-mcavoys-filth-y-new-comedy | title = 13 Corrupt Cops On Film We Love to Hate | first1 = Eric | last1 = Eidelstein | first2 = Brandon | last2 = Latham | work = Indiewire | date = 31 May 2014 | access-date = 26 October 2014}} in cinema. He starred as Arthur Dimmesdale in The Scarlet Letter (1995). Oldman also portrayed various accents; along with the Transylvanian Count Dracula, he gave a critically acclaimed reading of German-born Viennese composer Ludwig van Beethoven in Immortal Beloved,{{Cite episode|title=Gary Oldman, Toni Collette, Nick Frost and London Grammar|series=The Graham Norton Show|series-link=The Graham Norton Show|network=BBC One|station=British Broadcasting Corporation|date=7 February 2014|season=14|number=17|minutes=1|quote=[Oldman] won critical acclaim for his portrayal of Beethoven.}} and played Russian terrorist Egor Korshunov in the 1997 blockbuster Air Force One. In 1998, MTV's Celebrity Deathmatch aired a match between claymation representations of Oldman and Christopher Walken to determine the greatest cinematic villain. The following year, Oldman served as executive producer of Plunkett & Macleane,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2004/06/01/gary_oldman_michael_gambon_azkaban_interview.shtml|title=Gary Oldman and Michael Gambon|date=28 October 2014|publisher=BBC|access-date=13 December 2019}} and portrayed another historical figure, Pontius Pilate, in television film Jesus. He was also considered for the role of Morpheus in The Matrix.{{cite web|url=https://screencrush.com/the-matrix-then-and-now/|title=See the Cast of 'The Matrix' Then and Now|last=Hayes|first=Britt|date=21 February 2014|publisher=ScreenCrush|access-date=22 May 2016}}

Oldman appeared opposite Jeff Bridges as zealous Republican congressman Sheldon Runyon in The Contender (2000), of which he was also executive producer.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/the-contender-248499/|title=The Contender|last=Travers|first=Peter|author-link=Peter Travers|date=13 October 2000|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=13 December 2019}} Oldman received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for his performance, although some claimed he was dissatisfied with DreamWorks' supposed editing of the film to reflect pro-Democratic leanings. These reports were declared "sloppy sensationalism" by his manager, Douglas Urbanski, who said that Oldman was "the least political person I know". He stressed that neither he nor Oldman had made the statements attributed to them, that they had "produced this film, every last cut and frame", and that DreamWorks "did not influence the final cut or have anything to do with it." Urbanski asserted that Oldman received "creepy phone calls advising him that he was ruining his chances of an Oscar nomination". The notion of Oldman criticising DreamWorks was dispelled as a "myth" by critic Roger Ebert.{{cite web|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/roger-ebert/making-of-a-myth|title=Making of a myth|last=Ebert|first=Roger|author-link=Roger Ebert|date=2 November 2000|publisher=Rogerebert.com|access-date=30 September 2008}}

In 2001, he appeared opposite Anthony Hopkins in Hannibal, as Mason Verger, the only surviving victim of Hannibal Lecter. He spent six hours per day in the make-up room to achieve the character's disfigured appearance, and went uncredited in the film."The Making Of" (Hannibal DVD extra). 2001. It marked the second time that Oldman had appeared opposite Hopkins, who was part of the supporting cast of Bram Stoker's Dracula. Oldman then returned to television making two guest appearances in the popular NBC sitcom Friends in May 2001, appearing in the two-part episode "The One With Chandler and Monica's Wedding" as Richard Crosby, a pedantic actor who insists that "real" actors spit on one another when they enunciate, leading to tension, then friendship, with Joey Tribbiani (Matt LeBlanc). Oldman had previously worked with LeBlanc on Lost in Space.{{cite news |last=Spelling |first=Ian |date=19 March 1998 |title='FRIENDS' MATT LEBLANC GETS 'LOST' |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-03-19-9803190351-story.html |work=Chicago Tribune |access-date=11 January 2010}} For his performance he earned a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series, losing to Derek Jacobi for his role on Frasier (2001).{{cite web|url= https://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2001|title= 53rd Primetime Emmy Awards|website= Emmy Awards|accessdate= 30 August 2023}}

Following his Friends appearance, Oldman did not appear in any major roles until 2004; it was suggested that he was blacklisted in Hollywood during this time,Mendelson, Scott (7 November 2008). [https://www.huffingtonpost.com/scott-mendelson/oh-my-god-they-killed-gar_b_142300.html Oh My God, They Killed Gary (Oldman)!] Huffington Post. Retrieved 6 August 2012. following the controversy that had surrounded the release of The Contender. In 2002, he starred in the generally well-received Interstate 60, and played the Devil in the BMW short film, The Hire: Beat the Devil. Guardian writer Xan Brooks described the early 2000s as Oldman's "low point", recalling "barrel-scraping roles" in the 2003 films Tiptoes and Sin. Although the film failed to impress reviewers, Oldman did garner some praise for his portrayal of a man with dwarfism in Tiptoes: Lisa Nesselson in Variety described his work as "astonishingly fine",Nesselson, Lisa (24 September 2003). {{cite web|url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117921945?refcatid=31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516162336/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117921945?refcatid=31 |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 May 2012 |title=Tiptoes review |access-date=5 November 2011}} Variety. Retrieved 5 November 2011. and the performance was later mentioned in Mark Kermode's "Great Acting in Bad Films".Kermode, Mark. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markkermode/2012/01/great_acting_in_bad_films.html Great Acting in Bad Films]. BBC. 27 January 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2012.

= 2004–2012: Franchise roles and acclaim =

File:GaryOldman-1.jpg]]

In 2004, Oldman returned to prominence when he landed a starring role in the Harry Potter film series, playing Harry Potter's godfather Sirius Black. He made his first appearance in The Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) to positive reviews with Kenneth Turan of The Chicago Tribune writing, "Doing especially good work are the key people new to the series. Oldman exhibits a delicacy he hasn't always shown with the character of Sirius Black."{{cite web|url= https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-archives-harry-potter-prisoner-of-azkaban-review-20170626-story.html|title= 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban' film comes close to capturing the essence of the books|website= The Chicago Tribune|date= 3 June 2004|accessdate= 30 August 2023}} He continued to portray him in the films The Goblet of Fire (2005), The Order of the Phoenix (2007), The Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011). The following year, he starred as James "Jim" Gordon in Christopher Nolan's commercially and critically successful Batman Begins (2005), a role that he reprised in the sequels The Dark Knight (2008) and The Dark Knight Rises (2012). Film critic Mark Kermode, in reviewing The Dark Knight, downplayed claims that Heath Ledger's Joker was the highlight of the film, saying, "the best performance in the film, by a mile, is [by] Gary Oldman... it would be lovely to see him get a{{Not a typo|[n Oscar]}} nomination because actually, he's the guy who gets kind of overlooked in all of this".{{YouTube|id=VAjcFZlbu78&t=3m24s|title=Mark Kermode reviews 'The Dark Knight'}}. BBC Radio 5 Live. 25 July 2008. Retrieved 29 August 2012.

Oldman co-starred with Jim Carrey in the 2009 version of A Christmas Carol in which Oldman played three roles.{{cite web |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/2008/06/30/gary-oldman-confirms-roles-in-robert-zemeckis%E2%80%99-a-christmas-carol/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100125232610/http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/06/30/gary-oldman-confirms-roles-in-robert-zemeckis%E2%80%99-a-christmas-carol/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 January 2010 |title=Gary Oldman Confirms Roles in Robert Zemeckis' A Christmas Carol | |publisher=Slashfilm.com |date=30 June 2008 |access-date=11 January 2010 }}Morris, Clint (30 November 2007). {{cite web|url=http://www.moviehole.net/news/20071130_gary_oldman_joins_a_christmas.html |title=Gary Oldman joins A Christmas Carol |access-date=4 December 2007 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213200138/http://www.moviehole.net/news/20071130_gary_oldman_joins_a_christmas.html |archive-date=13 December 2007}}. Moviehole.net{{cite web|url=http://www.movieweb.com/news/58/24758.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071201041816/http://www.movieweb.com/news/58/24758.php |archive-date=1 December 2007 |title=Gary Oldman Joins A Christmas Carol |publisher=Movieweb.com |date=7 January 2010 |access-date=11 January 2010}} He had a starring role in David Goyer's supernatural thriller The Unborn, released in 2009.{{cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/11270 |title=BD Horror News – David Goyer Project Now Titled 'The Unborn' |publisher=Bloody-disgusting.com |access-date=11 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100123042655/http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/11270 |archive-date=23 January 2010}} In 2010, Oldman co-starred with Denzel Washington in The Book of Eli.{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2008/film/markets-festivals/gary-oldman-joins-book-of-eli-1117994890/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026103546/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117994890 |url-status=live |archive-date=26 October 2012 |title=Gary Oldman joins 'Book of Eli' |author=Dave McNary |date=29 October 2008 |work=Variety |access-date=21 May 2009 }} He also played a lead role in Catherine Hardwicke's Red Riding Hood.{{cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/19940|title=Gary Oldman, Max Irons Round Out 'Red Riding Hood'|date=23 April 2010 |publisher=BloodyDisgusting}} Oldman voiced the role of villain Lord Shen and was nominated for an Annie Award for his performance in Kung Fu Panda 2.

Oldman received strong reviews{{cite web|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2012/01/screenings-films-listings-movies-los-angeles-weekend.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110014238/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2012/01/screenings-films-listings-movies-los-angeles-weekend.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 January 2012|title=Around Town: Films, screenings and more in L.A. this week|last=King|first=Susan|date=4 January 2012|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=20 December 2017}} and earned his first Academy Award nomination and a BAFTA Award nomination for his portrayal of British spy George Smiley in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011),{{cite web|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2012/02/oscar-senti-meter-a-bafta-bounce-for-dujardin-oldman-streep.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223032333/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2012/02/oscar-senti-meter-a-bafta-bounce-for-dujardin-oldman-streep.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 February 2012|title=Oscar Senti-meter: A BAFTA bounce for Dujardin, Oldman, Streep|last=Gettell|first=Oliver|date=20 February 2012|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=20 December 2017}} an adaptation of the John le Carré novel, directed by Tomas Alfredson. To prepare for the role of George Smiley, Oldman gained 15 pounds, watched Alec Guinness's performance in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and paid a visit to Smiley's creator John le Carré to perfect the character's voice. In 2012, Oldman played Floyd Banner, a big-hitting mobster, in John Hillcoat's Lawless, alongside Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf, Guy Pearce and Jessica Chastain. The following year, he portrayed Nicholas Wyatt, a ruthless CEO, in Robert Luketic's Paranoia, along with Harrison Ford and Liam Hemsworth.

= 2013–present: Awards success =

File:Gary Oldman at the London premiere of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (cropped).png in 2011]]

In 2014, Oldman starred alongside Joel Kinnaman, Abbie Cornish, Michael Keaton and Samuel L. Jackson in the remake of RoboCop, as Norton, the scientist who creates the title character. Also that year, Oldman starred in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes as one of the leads alongside Jason Clarke and Keri Russell. In a promotional interview published in the July/August issue of Playboy magazine, Oldman slammed what he saw as excessive political correctness in American media, alleged discriminating hypocrisy by entertainers who hide "behind comedy and satire to say things we can't ordinarily say", and downplayed the convictions behind offensive slurs said by actors Alec Baldwin and Mel Gibson, attributing their statements to anger and inebriation, respectively. He went on to say that Gibson—who had faced censure for antisemitic remarks—had "bitten the hand that [feeds]", being in "a town that's run by Jews" (referring to Hollywood). Oldman stressed that he is not "a fascist or a racist",{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/gary-oldman-blasts-liberal-hollywood-714358 |title=Gary Oldman Blasts Liberal Hollywood, Defends Mel Gibson and Alec Baldwin |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=23 June 2014 |access-date=26 June 2014}} but was nevertheless criticised for his comments.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/la-en-mn-gary-oldman-darkest-hour-oscars-20180214-story.html|title=Gary Oldman: 'One should never take for granted the sound of applause'|last=Whipp|first=Glenn|date=14 February 2018|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=29 March 2019}} He issued multiple apologies, including on 25 June edition of the late-night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live!, where he described the remarks as "offensive, insensitive, pernicious and ill-informed".{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/26/showbiz/celebrity-news-gossip/gary-oldman-rant-playboy-apology-kimmel/index.html|title=Gary Oldman: Still apologizing, this time on Kimmel|last=Hare|first=Breeanna|date=26 June 2014|publisher=CNN|access-date=20 March 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dmgofficialstatements.com/statements/gary-and-rabbi-hier|title=Gary and Rabbi Hier|date=1 December 2017|publisher=DMG|access-date=6 January 2020|archive-date=28 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228234201/https://www.dmgofficialstatements.com/statements/gary-and-rabbi-hier|url-status=dead}} Both the Anti-Defamation League and the Simon Wiesenthal Center welcomed Oldman's contrition (the latter inviting him to its Museum of Tolerance to screen 2017's Darkest Hour).{{cite web|url=https://www.adl.org/news/press-releases/adl-condemns-anti-semitic-remark-by-actor-gary-oldman|title=ADL Condemns Anti-Semitic Remark by Actor Gary Oldman|publisher=Anti-Defamation League|access-date=20 March 2020}} Director David Fincher told Playboy, "I know him very well... Gary's not cruel. He's an incredibly thoughtful guy."{{cite magazine|last=Rebello|first=Stephen|author-link=Stephen Rebello|date=October 2014|title=Interview: David Fincher|magazine=Playboy|publisher=Playboy Enterprises}}

In 2015, Oldman played the head of police that investigates Tom Hardy's character in Child 44, alongside Noomi Rapace and Joel Kinnaman, and had a supporting role in the post-apocalyptic American thriller Man Down, directed by Dito Montiel, and starring alongside Shia LaBeouf and Kate Mara. In 2016, Oldman played a CIA chief in Criminal, directed by Ariel Vromen, and starring Kevin Costner, Tommy Lee Jones, Ryan Reynolds, Alice Eve, and Gal Gadot.

In 2017, Oldman played three film roles: a billionaire entrepreneur in The Space Between Us, a dictatorial President in The Hitman's Bodyguard, and former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in Joe Wright's war drama Darkest Hour—his portrayal of Churchill garnered critical acclaim.{{cite web|url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2017/11/20/darkest-hour-gary-oldman-spurs-oscar-talk-playing-winston-churchill/878579001/|title=V for victory? Gary Oldman spurs Oscar talk with his 'refreshing' Winston Churchill|last=Truitt|first=Brian|date=20 November 2017|website=USA Today|access-date=7 July 2018}} Oldman's transformation into the wartime Prime Minister took 200 hours in the makeup chair, 14 pounds of silicone rubber, and $20,000 worth of Cuban cigars, which gave him nicotine poisoning.{{cite web |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/gary-oldman-smoked-30000-of-cigars-while-playing-winston-churchill-darkest-hour-2018-1utmmediumreferralutmsourcebusinessinsidercomutmcampaignsyndication |title=Gary Oldman smoked $30,000 of cigars and had a 'bad stomach for three months' while playing Winston Churchill |last=Darp |first=Justin |date=10 January 2018 |access-date=2 July 2018 |work=Business Insider}}{{cite journal |url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/how-darkest-hours-grand-transformation-gary-oldman-winston-churchill-took-20000-worth-cigars-1064336 |title=How 'Darkest Hour's' Grand Transformation of Gary Oldman Into Winston Churchill Took $20,000 Worth of Cigars |last=Ritman |first=Alex |date=12 December 2017 |access-date=2 July 2018 |journal=The Hollywood Reporter}} In 2018, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor,{{Cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/gary-oldman-frontrunner-for-best-actor-at-academy-awards-a3747166.html |title=Oscar nominations 2018: The Shape of Water leads the pack as Brits Gary Oldman and Daniel Kaluuya go head-to-head for Best Actor |newspaper=Evening Standard |access-date=30 January 2018 |last1=Powell |first1=Emma |last2=Ruby |first2=Jennifer}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/oscars-2018-gary-oldman-best-actor-winner-award-winston-churchill-darkest-hour-a8239741.html |title=Oscars 2018: Gary Oldman wins Best Actor award for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour |newspaper=The Independent |access-date=5 March 2018 |first=Clarisse |last=Loughrey}} Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama,{{cite journal |last=Naas |first=Roberta |title=Gary Oldman Wins Golden Globe For Winston Churchill Portrayal In 'Darkest Hour,' Wears Breguet |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertanaas/2018/01/08/actor-gary-oldman-portrays-winston-churchill-in-darkest-hour-movie-wearing-breguet-watch/#5c7c62b613e2 |access-date=10 January 2018 |journal=Forbes |date=8 January 2018}} Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actor,{{cite news |title=Critics' Choice Awards: Gary Oldman receives another best actor prize |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-42661082 |access-date=13 January 2018 |publisher=BBC |date=12 January 2018 |work=BBC News}} Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actor,{{cite news |last=Vulpo |first=Mike |title=Darkest Hour's Gary Oldman Wins Best Male Actor at 2018 SAG Awards |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/907390/darkest-hour-s-gary-oldman-wins-best-male-actor-at-2018-sag-awards |access-date=25 January 2018 |work=E! Online |date=21 January 2018 |publisher=E!News}} and BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.{{cite news |title=Gary Oldman Named Best Leading Actor at BAFTAs, 'Three Billboards' Wins Five Awards |url=http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2018/02/gary-oldman-named-best-leading-actor-at-baftas-three-billboards-wins-five-awards |access-date=5 March 2018 |work=BBC America |publisher=BBC |last=Sommers |first=Kat}} His Golden Globe win came despite Oldman having once been a critic of that award;{{cite web|url=https://www.gq.com/story/gary-oldman-interview-chris-heath-oscar-nomination|title=The Gary Oldman Story That Almost Wasn't: The 2009 Article|last=Heath|first=Chris|author-link=Chris Heath|date=24 February 2012|website=GQ|access-date=2 January 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/mar/28/gary-oldman-golden-globes-bent|title=Gary Oldman claims Golden Globes are 'bent'|last=Child|first=Ben|date=28 March 2012|website=The Guardian|access-date=29 December 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.playboy.com/articles/gary-oldman-playboy-interview|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821034539/http://www.playboy.com/articles/gary-oldman-playboy-interview|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 August 2014|title=Interview: Gary Oldman|last=Hochman|first=David|date=25 June 2014|website=Playboy|publisher=Playboy Enterprises|access-date=29 December 2015}} he noted that he was "amazed, flattered and very proud" to be nominated.{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/stars-react-golden-globes-nominations-article-1.3691351|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211192656/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/stars-react-golden-globes-nominations-article-1.3691351|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 December 2017|title=Stars react to their Golden Globes nominations|last=Sblendorio|first=Peter|date=11 December 2017|website=New York Daily News|access-date=20 December 2017}}

In 2018, in his first post-Oscar role, Oldman voiced an evil artificial intelligence in Netflix's independent film Tau and starred in Hunter Killer alongside Gerard Butler. In 2019, Oldman starred in horror-thriller Mary, directed by Michael Goi, and the thriller The Courier, opposite Olga Kurylenko,{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/gary-oldman-joins-action-thriller-film-courier-1176200|title=Gary Oldman Joins Action-Thriller 'The Courier'|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=15 January 2019 }} and appeared in Steven Soderbergh's The Laundromat as Jürgen Mossack, opposite Meryl Streep and Antonio Banderas.{{cite news |url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2018/05/16/panama-papers-movie-the-laundromat-connects-with-streep-banderas-oldman-.html |title=Panama Papers movie 'The Laundromat' connects with Streep, Banderas, Oldman |date=17 May 2018 |access-date=2 July 2018 |newspaper=The Jakarta Post |publisher=PT. Niskala Media Tenggara}}

In 2020, Oldman starred as Citizen Kane co-writer Herman J. Mankiewicz in David Fincher's biographical drama black-and-white Netflix movie Mank, which follows Mankiewicz's tumultuous development of the script for Citizen Kane alongside director Orson Welles.{{cite news|last=Sneider|first=Jeff|date=10 July 2019|title=David Fincher, Gary Oldman Team with Netflix for 'Citizen Kane' Screenwriter Biopic|url=https://collider.com/david-fincher-gary-oldman-netflix-citizen-kane-biopic/#mank-movie|work=Collider|access-date=27 July 2019}} The film co-stars Amanda Seyfried, Lily Collins, and Charles Dance. Mank had a limited theatrical release on 13 November, and began streaming on Netflix on 4 December. It received positive reviews, earning 88% on Rotten Tomatoes with the critics' consensus being, "Sharply written and brilliantly performed, Mank peers behind the scenes of Citizen Kane to tell an old Hollywood story that could end up being a classic in its own right."{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mank|title= Mank (2020)|website= Rotten Tomatoes|access-date= 2 November 2020}} In 2021, Oldman starred opposite Armie Hammer in Crisis{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/gary-oldman-armie-hammer-evangeline-lilly-star-dreamland-1183293|title=Gary Oldman, Armie Hammer, Evangeline Lilly Team for Opioid Thriller 'Dreamland'|website=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Alex|last=Ritman|date=6 February 2019|access-date=6 February 2019}} and in Joe Wright's The Woman in the Window, alongside Amy Adams.{{cite journal |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/gary-oldman-joins-amy-adams-film-woman-window-1119023 |title=Gary Oldman Joins Amy Adams in 'The Woman in the Window' |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=24 July 2018 |access-date=28 July 2018 |journal=The Hollywood Reporter}}

Oldman was also slated to direct a biopic about Eadweard Muybridge entitled Flying Horse.{{cite web |url=https://www.thewrap.com/awards/column-post/gary-oldman-direct-eadweard-muybridge-biopic-flying-horse-exclusive-97496 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140219043327/http://www.thewrap.com/awards/column-post/gary-oldman-direct-eadweard-muybridge-biopic-flying-horse-exclusive-97496 |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 February 2014 |title=Gary Oldman to Direct Eadweard Muybridge Biopic 'Flying Horse' (Exclusive) |work=TheWrap |date=14 June 2013 |access-date=12 August 2014 |last=Sneider |first=Jeff }} In 2022, Oldman starred as a cantankerous manager of intelligence agents in the Apple TV+ spy drama television series Slow Horses, based on the book of the same name. Slow Horses marked the first time Oldman played a lead role in a television series.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/gary-oldman-slow-horses-series-apple-1203405839/|title=Gary Oldman to Star in Drama Series 'Slow Horses' at Apple|last1=Otterson|first1=Joe|date=15 November 2019|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=19 November 2019}} On 20 November 2022, he stated that the series would likely be his last role as he intended to retire from acting once the series ended.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/22/gary-oldman-talks-retirement.html|title=Academy Award winner Gary Oldman teases the end of his movie career: 'I don't want to be active when I'm 80'|last=Vega|first=Nicolas|date=22 November 2022|publisher=CNC|access-date=25 November 2022}}

In 2023 he participated in the HBO Max special Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts.{{cite news|url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2021/12/30/harry-potter-reunion-hbo/|title= Takeaways from HBO Max's Harry Potter reunion: tears, nostalgia and a curious lack of J.K. Rowling|newspaper= The Washington Post|accessdate= 30 August 2023}} That same year he reunited with Christopher Nolan taking a minor role portraying President of the United States Harry Truman in the biographical epic thriller Oppenheimer.{{cite magazine|url= https://ew.com/movies/oppenheimer-gary-oldman-president-truman/|title= Yes, that's Gary Oldman playing President Truman in Oppenheimer|magazine= Entertainment Weekly|accessdate= 30 August 2023}} The film is based on the Pulitzer Prize winning biography American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer and was a critical and financial success.{{Cite web |last=Chang |first=Justin |date=11 August 2023 |title='Oppenheimer' doesn't show us Hiroshima and Nagasaki. That's an act of rigor, not erasure |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2023-08-11/oppenheimer-atomic-bomb-hiroshima-nagasaki-christopher-nolan |access-date=25 June 2024 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}} In August 2023, it was confirmed that Oldman would star in Paolo Sorrentino's then-untitled film Parthenope, described as a "love letter to the city of Naples".{{cite web|url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/gary-oldman-paulo-sorrentino-naples-film-1235577918/|title= Gary Oldman Joins Paolo Sorrentino's Next Feature (and Another Love Letter to Naples)|website= The Hollywood Reporter|date= 30 August 2023|accessdate= 30 August 2023}} The film, in which Oldman plays writer John Cheever, was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, where it had its world premiere on 21 May 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/2024/the-screenings-guide-of-the-77th-festival-de-cannes/|title=The Screenings Guide of the 77th Festival de Cannes|date=8 May 2024|website=Festival de Cannes|access-date=8 May 2024}}{{cite magazine|title=Cannes Film Festival Unveils 2024 Lineup (Updating Live)|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/global/cannes-film-festival-2024-lineup-1235966528/|magazine=Variety}} While it earned a nine-and-a-half-minute standing ovation at the end of its screening,{{cite magazine|last1=Vivarelli|first1=Nick|last2=Shafer|first2=Ellise|date=21 May 2024|title=Gary Oldman and Paolo Sorrentino Embrace as 'Parthenope' Gets 9.5-Minute Standing Ovation at Cannes Film Festival|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/festivals/gary-oldman-parthenope-cannes-standing-ovation-1236011926/|magazine=Variety|access-date=22 May 2024}} the film received overall negative critical reviews.{{cite Rotten Tomatoes|title=Parthenope|type=m|id=parthenope|access-date=22 May 2024}}{{cite Metacritic|id=parthenope|type=movie|title=Parthenope|access-date=22 May 2024}}

Other work

=Filmmaking=

In 1997, Oldman directed, produced, and wrote the award-winning Nil by Mouth, a film partially based on his recollections of a child he knew in school.{{cite web|url=http://www.playboy.com/articles/gary-oldman-playboy-interview|title=Playboy Interview: Gary Oldman|last=Hochman|first=David|date=25 June 2014|website=Playboy|access-date=26 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123231957/http://www.playboy.com/articles/gary-oldman-playboy-interview|archive-date=23 January 2015}} Nil by Mouth went on to win the BAFTA Alexander Korda Award for Best British Film (shared with Douglas Urbanski and Luc Besson) and also the BAFTA Award for Best Screenplay, the Channel 4 Director's Award, and an Empire Award. In 1999, it was adjudged by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts as one of the hundred best British films of the 20th century.{{cite web|url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/features/bfi100/91-100.html |title=The bfi 100: Nil By Mouth (1997) |access-date=31 January 2012 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215070017/http://www.bfi.org.uk/features/bfi100/91-100.html |archive-date=15 February 2012}}. bfi.org. Retrieved 31 January 2012 Nil By Mouth was listed by Time Out as number twenty-one of the top 100 best British films.{{cite news|title=The 100 Best British Films Ever|url=https://www.timeout.com/london/film/100-best-british-films-the-full-list|agency=Time Out|date=22 June 2015}}

Oldman and producing partner Douglas Urbanski formed the SE8 GROUP to produce Nil by Mouth. The company also produced The Contender, which also starred Oldman. He completed a screenplay, Chang & Eng, co-written with Darin Strauss, based on the author's book of the same name. In September 2006, Nokia Nseries Studio{{cite web|url=http://www.nseries.com/nseries/v2/index_studio.html |title=Nokia Nseries |publisher=Nseries.com |access-date=11 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113152513/http://www.nseries.com/nseries/v2/index_studio.html |archive-date=13 January 2009}} released the Oldman-directed short film Donut, with music by Tor Hyams. The film was shot with an N93 to promote the phone. Juliet Landau made a 25-minute documentary about the making of the video. In 2011, he directed a music video for then-wife Alex Eden's first single, "Kiss Me Like the Woman You Loved".

=Music=

Oldman has had a keen interest in music from an early age. He is a proficient pianist and stated in a 1995 interview with Charlie Rose that he would rather be a musician than an actor. Oldman sang several tracks on the Sid and Nancy soundtrack, on which he performed alongside original Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock, and sang and played live piano in the 1988 movie Track 29. He traced over Beethoven compositions in 1994's Immortal Beloved, and tutored Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe on bass guitar.{{cite magazine|last=Jensen |first=Jeff |url=https://ew.com/article/2011/07/01/story-daniel-radcliffe/ |title=The Story of Daniel Radcliffe | 'Harry Potter' Central |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=1 July 2011 |access-date=28 September 2013}} Oldman appeared on Reeves Gabrels's album The Sacred Squall of Now, performing a vocal duet with David Bowie on the track "You've Been Around".{{cite web|url=http://www.buy.com/prod/sacred-squall-of-now/q/loc/109/60194381.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080117143506/http://www.buy.com/prod/sacred-squall-of-now/q/loc/109/60194381.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 January 2008 |title=Sacred Squall of Now – Reeves Gabrels – CD |publisher=Buy.com |date=29 August 1995 |access-date=11 January 2010}} He produced a live performance by former White Stripes member Jack White in conjunction with Vevo and YouTube.{{cite magazine|title=Backbeat: Behind the Scenes at Jack White's 'American Express: Unstaged' With Gary Oldman|url=https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1097356/backbeat-behind-the-scenes-at-jack-whites-american-express-unstaged-with|magazine=Billboard|date=1 December 2015}} At the 2016 Brit Awards in London, Oldman paid tribute to Bowie, before receiving the Brits "Icon Award" on behalf of the singer and his family.{{cite news|title=Brit Awards 2016: Adele dominates with four awards|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35656227|agency=BBC|date=25 February 2016}}

=Voice acting=

Oldman participated in the creation of The Legend of Spyro games, produced by Sierra Entertainment. He provided the voice of the Fire Guardian, Ignitus. He voices Sergeant Viktor Reznov and scientist Daniel Clarke in the Call of Duty games. He also provides the narration of Sergeant Jack Barnes in the Spearhead expansion for Medal of Honor: Allied Assault. In 2015 he voiced Lord Vortech, the evil mastermind who seeks to control the LEGO Multiverse, in the Lego Dimensions video game.[https://www.forbes.com/sites/andyrobertson/2015/09/14/lego-dimensions-voice-talent/ "Lego Dimensions Voice Talent Includes Michael J.Fox, Chris Pratt and Gary Oldman"]. Forbes. Retrieved 5 September 2015 He will play Admiral Ernst Bishop in the upcoming single-player campaign of the Chris Roberts-designed crowdfunded video game, Squadron 42.{{cite web|title = Squadron 42 features Gary Oldman, Gillian Anderson, Mark Hamill, Andy Serkis – My God, it's full of stars|url = http://www.pcgamesn.com/star-citizen/star-citizen-features-gary-oldman-gillian-anderson-mark-hamill-andy-serkis-my-god-its-full-of-stars|website = PCGamesN| date=11 October 2015 |access-date = 11 October 2015}}

=Writing=

In 2015, Oldman and his manager Douglas Urbanski signed a deal with the Simon & Schuster/Atria Publishing Group label Emily Bestler Books for Blood Riders, a vampire book series.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/10/gary-oldman-douglas-urbanski-blood-riders-emily-bestler-books-vampire-novel-1201596347/|title='Blood Riders' Book Deal: Gary Oldman & Douglas Urbanski Pen Vampire Saga|date=28 October 2015|author=Mike Fleming Jr|website=Deadline Hollywood}}

Acting style

Oldman studied the teachings of Konstantin Stanislavski and Stella Adler while at drama school but went "off-book", drawing much of his inspiration from American cinema. As a screen actor, Oldman was almost typecast as an anti-social personality early in his career.Sexton, Timothy. {{cite web |url=https://movies.yahoo.com/news/gary-oldman-avoided-typecasting-weirdo-villain-225700644.html |title=How Gary Oldman Avoided Typecasting as a Weirdo, Villain |access-date=4 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111121252/http://movies.yahoo.com/news/gary-oldman-avoided-typecasting-weirdo-villain-225700644.html |archive-date=11 January 2012 |website=Yahoo! Movies}} 6 December 2011. The necessity to express villainous characters in an overtly physical manner led to the cultivation of a "big" acting style that incorporated projection skills acquired during his stage training.Popcorn With Peter Travers. Season 5. Episode 15. 9 December 2011. "People who know you ... we remember the big Gary Oldman." He further sought to develop a distinctive approach that would distance him from his "stuffy" and "often interchangeable" British peers.

Oldman has conceded that his performances often involve an element of overacting: "It's my influence on those roles that probably [makes them] feel bigger than life and a little over-the-top. I mean, I do go for it a bit as an actor, I must admit."Gary Oldman interview by Terry Gross. Fresh Air. National Public Radio. 12 February 1998. In another interview, he stated, "If it's coming from a sincere place, then I think the screen can hold the epic and it can hold the very, very small."Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/OmGxbxCS7Kc Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20200110100959/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmGxbxCS7Kc&feature=youtu.be Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmGxbxCS7Kc&t=29m59s|title=Conversations... with Gary Oldman|date=12 January 2018|publisher=SAG-AFTRA Foundation|access-date=17 November 2019}}{{cbignore}} Stuart Heritage of The Guardian wrote, "Finding the definitive Gary Oldman ham performance is like trying to choose which of your children you prefer. The man is a long-term devotee of the art of ham."{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/may/01/hammy-baddies-film-kiefer-sutherland-pompeii|title=Hammy baddies on film: the joys of overacting|last=Heritage|first=Stuart|date=1 May 2014|website=The Guardian|access-date=16 August 2015}} Conversely, Oldman noted that he enjoys "playing characters where the silence is loud" such as George Smiley in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011).

Oldman has adopted various accents for roles and portrayed a wide range of characters. He is known for his in-depth research of his roles,The One Show. BBC One. 14 September 2011. "You're known for the in-depth research you do before going into any role." as well as his devotion to them, at one point being hospitalised after losing significant weight for Sid and Nancy,Zap, Claudine. [https://movies.yahoo.com/photos/actors-dramatic-weight-loss-for-roles-slideshow/stars-dramatic-weight-loss-gary-oldman-photo-1346374118.html Actors' dramatic weight loss for roles]. Yahoo! Movies. Retrieved 11 December 2012. and another time had to hire a dialect coach to relearn his English accent after nearly adopting an "American twang" due to his children being raised American.{{cite web|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13144530.gary-oldman-hire-voice-coach-relearn-english-accent/|title=Gary Oldman: I had to hire voice coach to relearn English accent|website=The Herald|date=7 February 2014|access-date=3 June 2022}} In a 2017 interview, he differentiated between immersion and impression:

{{cquote|I have a relatively good ear and can do a few impressions of people. I don't study them, but I think what happens with an impressionist is that they're looking at one particular source. Impressionists have to paint with a very broad stroke because you've got to see it within a couple of seconds. As an actor, though, you look at different aspects of a character. I try to completely surround myself with the assignment. It's like being in a big cloud and then some of it rains through—for instance, looking at not only [Winston] Churchill's way of walking and mannerisms and the way he sounds, but also looking into the psychology.{{cite web |url=https://www.dailyactor.com/actors-on-acting/gary-oldman-darkest-hour-performance-acting-heroes/ |title=Gary Oldman on His 'The Darkest Hour' Performance and His Acting Heroes |last=McKittrick |date=28 November 2017 |access-date=2 July 2018 |work=Daily Actor}}}}

Reception and legacy

File:Oldman 2007.JPG

Oldman has established a cult following among film fans.{{cite web|url=http://www.ugo.com/movies/gary-oldman-spotlight/?cur=gary-oldman-biography |title=Gary Oldman Spotlight |publisher=UGO |date=21 March 1958 |access-date=11 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100123111415/http://www.ugo.com/movies/gary-oldman-spotlight/?cur=gary-oldman-biography |archive-date=23 January 2010}} He is known for playing the primary antagonist in a number of popular motion pictures, which has seen him referenced in popular culture. At the peak of his popularity in the 1990s, Oldman was dubbed by Empire magazine Hollywood's "psycho deluxe",Grant, Kieran (12 July 2011). {{cite web|url=http://www.culturedeluxe.com/2011/07/smiley-face-gary-oldman/ |title=Smiley Face: Gary Oldman |access-date=10 October 2011 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717172947/http://www.culturedeluxe.com/2011/07/smiley-face-gary-oldman/ |archive-date=17 July 2011}} Culturedeluxe. and was spoofed on popular television shows such as Fox comedy series In Living Color{{cite episode |title= Bram Stoker's Wanda|series= In Living Color |network= FOX|airdate= 13 December 1992}} and MTV's Celebrity Deathmatch,{{cite episode |title= Nick Returns|series= Celebrity Deathmatch|network= MTV|airdate= 30 July 1998|season= 1}} as well as drafted in to appear on the first ever cover of Loaded magazine.Cochrane, Kira (23 August 2007) {{cite web|url=http://newstatesman.com/200708230020 |title=The dark world of lads' mags |access-date=27 May 2013 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013172546/http://newstatesman.com/200708230020 |archive-date=13 October 2007}}. New Statesman. In 1993, he appeared in the music video for Annie Lennox's international hit "Love Song for a Vampire", written for the soundtrack to Bram Stoker's Dracula, and had a cameo role as the Devil in the video for Guns N' Roses single "Since I Don't Have You"{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/guns-n-roses-videos-ranked-worst-to-best-20160104/since-i-dont-have-you-20151203|title=Guns N' Roses' Videos, Ranked Worst to Best|last=Edwards|first=Gavin|date=4 January 2016|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=20 December 2017}}—Oldman also played the Devil in the 2002 BMW short Beat The Devil, alongside Clive Owen, James Brown and Marilyn Manson.{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/BMWFilms-com-Presents-The-Hire/dp/B000GV1VRE |title=BMWFilms.com Presents The Hire: Movies & TV |website=Amazon |access-date=11 January 2010}} He starred as a sleazy priest in the controversial religious-themed video for David Bowie's 2013 single "The Next Day".{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/david-bowie/70189|title=David Bowie's 'The Next Day' video criticised by Catholic church| work=NME|date=9 May 2013|access-date=11 May 2013}}{{cite news|last=Savage|first=Lesley|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/david-bowies-new-religious-themed-video-causing-controversy/|title=David Bowie's new religious-themed video causing controversy|work=CBS News|date=9 May 2013|access-date=5 May 2013}} In contrast to his often dark on-screen roles, Oldman's affable real-life demeanour has been noted, and he was named as one of Empire{{'}}s "100 Sexiest Stars in Film History" in 2007.{{cite web|date=8 December 2007 |url=http://www.moviesandlife.net/empire-magazines-100-sexiest-stars/ |title=Empire Magazine's 100 Sexiest Stars |publisher=Moviesandlife.net |access-date=11 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080810085649/http://www.moviesandlife.net/empire-magazines-100-sexiest-stars/ |archive-date=10 August 2008 }} In 2011, Empire readers voted him the recipient of the Empire Icon Award, which was presented by Colin Firth.Masters, Tim. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12876944 Empire awards: Gary Oldman named film icon]. BBC News. 27 March 2011. Retrieved 17 May 2011.

Washington Post and Independent writers noted that Oldman is regarded as one of the greatest actors of his generation.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/darkest-hour-is-a-soaring-portrayal-of-winston-churchill-on-the-eve-of-dunkirk/2017/12/05/5495179c-d477-11e7-a986-d0a9770d9a3e_story.html|title='Darkest Hour' is a soaring portrayal of Winston Churchill on the eve of Dunkirk|last=Hornaday|first=Ann|date=5 December 2017|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=5 March 2018}} In 2012, Globe and Mail journalist Lynn Crosbie wrote, "Critics never fail to single Oldman out... he is one of a few truly great living actors—arguably, even, the best".{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/overlooked-possibly-the-greatest-actor-of-them-all/article4171807/|title=Overlooked: possibly the greatest actor of them all|last=Crosbie|first=Lynn|author-link=Lynn Crosbie|date=28 February 2012|website=The Globe and Mail|access-date=3 January 2019}} Of his diversity, Yahoo! Movies noted that he had "gained a well-earned reputation as a brilliant chameleon"; the Houston Chronicle dubbed Oldman "the face of versatility".{{cite news|title=Gary Oldman is the face of versatility|url=https://www.chron.com/entertainment/movies/article/Gary-Oldman-is-the-face-of-versatility-5609095.php|agency=Houston Chronicle|date=22 June 2015}} He is noted for his avoidance of the Hollywood celebrity scene,{{cite news|url=http://blog.washingtonpost.com/celebritology/2007/06/moring_mix_pariss_interview_no.html |title=Morning Mix: Paris's Interview – Not So 'Hot' – Celebritology |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=28 June 2007 |access-date=11 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011025716/http://blog.washingtonpost.com/celebritology/2007/06/moring_mix_pariss_interview_no.html |archive-date=11 October 2008}} often being referred to as an "actor's actor". His work has been acclaimed by Hollywood figures: Tom Hardy has described Oldman as his "absolute complete and utter hero"{{cite magazine|last=Dickens|first=Andrew|title=Meet Tom Hardy|url=http://www.shortlist.com/entertainment/films/meet-tom-hardy|magazine=ShortList|access-date=22 May 2016}} and "hands down, the greatest actor that's ever lived"; Brad Pitt,{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/news/brad-pitt/91085-brad-pitt-on-oscars |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225044342/http://www.mtv.co.uk/news/brad-pitt/91085-brad-pitt-on-oscars |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 February 2012 |title=Brad Pitt on Oscars |publisher=MTV |date=23 January 2009 |access-date=8 October 2011}} Daniel Radcliffe{{cite web |url=http://www.indielondon.co.uk/Film-Review/harry-potter-the-order-of-the-phoenix-daniel-radcliffe-interview |title=Daniel Radcliffe interview at |publisher=Indielondon.co.uk |access-date=11 January 2010 |archive-date=18 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118154804/http://www.indielondon.co.uk/Film-Review/harry-potter-the-order-of-the-phoenix-daniel-radcliffe-interview |url-status=dead }} and Ryan Gosling have also cited Oldman as their favourite actor.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/ryan-gosling-the-childrens-champion-445685.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091125000636/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/ryan-gosling-the-childrens-champion-445685.html |archive-date=25 November 2009 |title=Ryan Gosling: The children's champion |author=Norman, Neil |date=22 April 2007 |work=The Independent on Sunday |access-date=21 May 2009 | location=London}} Hardy recalled Oldman's influence on students at drama school, stating that "everybody used to quote him in all of his films".Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/Ii7b3vwW9zI Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20150719215304/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ii7b3vwW9zI&t=2m35s Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|title='Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' Tom Hardy: "Gary Oldman is my hero"|url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ii7b3vwW9zI|website=Digital Spy|date=7 October 2015}}{{cbignore}} Jessica Chastain,{{cite journal |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jennifer-lawrence-jessica-chastain-reveal-cinematic-crush-1058647 |title=Jennifer Lawrence and Jessica Chastain Reveal Their 'Cinematic Crush' |last=Chuba |first=Kirsten |date=16 November 2017 |access-date=2 July 2018 |journal=The Hollywood Reporter}} Jennifer Lawrence, Joseph Gordon-Levitt,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8214816.stm |title=Talking Shop: Joseph Gordon-Levitt |work=BBC News |date=22 August 2009 |access-date=11 January 2010}} Tom Hiddleston{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2013/08/05/tom-hiddleston-loki-avengers-new-hollywood/ |title='The Avengers' star Tom Hiddleston on being Loki and meeting unexpected fans |last=Markovitz |first=Adam |date=5 August 2013 |access-date=3 July 2018 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |location=New York City}} and Chris Pine{{cite news|date=20 June 2009 |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2009/06/star-treks-chris-pine-boldly-goes-in-search-of-challenging-roles-.html |title='Star Trek's' Chris Pine boldly goes in search of challenging roles |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=11 January 2010}} have also named Oldman as one of their favourite actors.

Other actors such as Christian Bale,Acceptance speech for Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role. 17th Screen Actors Guild Awards. 30 January 2011. "There's so many different performances that inspire me, from different people... Gary Oldman, a friend of mine, who I think is one of the finest." Hugh Jackman,{{Cite episode|title=Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Zendaya, Suranne Jones, Gary Oldman, Leading Ladies|series=The Graham Norton Show|series-link=The Graham Norton Show|network=BBC One|station=British Broadcasting Corporation|date=31 December 2017|series-no=22|number=13|quote=You are one of the greatest actors to have ever lived, you are one of my inspirations.}} Benedict Cumberbatch,{{cite web|url=https://uk.tv.yahoo.com/gary-oldman-praises-dawn-planet-apes-co-star-092400900.html |title=Gary Oldman praises Dawn of the Planet of the Apes co-star |last=MacGregor |first=Rachel |date=16 July 2014 |publisher=Yahoo! |access-date=29 July 2014 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812193023/https://uk.tv.yahoo.com/gary-oldman-praises-dawn-planet-apes-co-star-092400900.html |archive-date=12 August 2014 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.bigissue.com/features/3483/gary-oldman-interview-it-blows-my-mind-when-i-meet-people-and-they-revere-me|title=Gary Oldman interview|last=Graham|first=Jane|date=3 February 2014|website=The Big Issue|access-date=16 July 2014|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310014004/http://www.bigissue.com/features/3483/gary-oldman-interview-it-blows-my-mind-when-i-meet-people-and-they-revere-me|archive-date=10 March 2014}} Shia LaBeouf,{{cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com:80/content/interview/shia_labeouf/2 |title=Shia LaBeouf |author=Robinson, Tasha |date=11 April 2007 |website=The A.V. Club |access-date=21 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081009044020/http://www.avclub.com/content/interview/shia_labeouf/2 |archive-date=9 October 2008 }} Ben Mendelsohn,{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/ben-mendelsohn-interview-darkest-hour/#captain-marvel |title=Ben Mendelsohn on 'Darkest Hour' and Gary Oldman's Amazing Transformation |last=Weintraub |first=Steve Frosty |date=8 December 2017 |access-date=2 July 2018 |work=Collider |publisher=Complex Media, Inc.}} Johnny Depp, Jason Isaacs,{{cite web|first=Eric|last=Goldman|url=https://uk.ign.com/articles/2007/02/16/ign-interview-jason-isaacs?page=4|title=The Harry Potter villain on his new miniseries, The State Within|website=IGN|publisher=j2 Global|location=Los Angeles, California|date=15 February 2007|access-date=24 October 2016}} and Michael Fassbender have cited Oldman as an influence; Bale called him "the reason I'm acting".{{cite web|url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/cinema/christian-bale-interview-mowgli-bagheera-netflix-performance-capture-technology-physical-transformation|title=Christian Bale Says He's Almost Done With Physical Transformations|last=Mathew|first=Suresh|date=26 November 2018|website=The Quint|access-date=30 November 2018}} Anthony Hopkins,The South Bank Show: Gary Oldman. Season 21, Episode 15. ITV. 15 March 1998. Ralph Fiennes,{{cite news|first=Oliver|last=Gettell|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2011/11/ralph-fiennes-most-anticipated-movie-tinker-tailor.html|title=Ralph Fiennes on which movie he can't wait to see next|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|location=Los Angeles, California|date=22 November 2011|access-date=30 November 2011}} Keanu Reeves{{cite web|url=http://news.moviefone.com/2014/10/21/keanu-reeves-john-wick/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022175741/http://news.moviefone.com/2014/10/21/keanu-reeves-john-wick/|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 October 2014|title=Keanu Reeves on 'John Wick,' 'Bill & Ted 3,' and That 'Point Break' Remake|last=Taylor|first=Drew|date=21 October 2014|website=Moviefone|access-date=8 June 2015}} and Ray Winstone have used the term "genius" in reference to Oldman. John Hurt called him "the best of the bunch";{{cite news|first=Xan|last=Brooks|url=http://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/feb/09/gary-oldman-profile-actor|title=Gary Oldman: from Sid to Smiley: the rollercoaster story of a true British great|newspaper=The Guardian|location=London, England|date=9 February 2012|access-date=2 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002165200/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/feb/09/gary-oldman-profile-actor|archive-date=2 October 2013}} Colin Firth hailed him as "a very strong candidate for the world's best living actor"{{cite web|url=http://www.flickeringmyth.com/2011/03/gary-oldman-presented-with-empire-icon.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130123104210/http://www.flickeringmyth.com/2011/03/gary-oldman-presented-with-empire-icon.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 January 2013|title=Gary Oldman presented with Empire Icon Award|website=Flickering Myth|date=28 March 2011|access-date=5 May 2012}} and a "hero" of his;Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/3iQqXwEJVoI Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20120119153242/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iQqXwEJVoI&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{Cite episode|title=Colin Firth|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iQqXwEJVoI&t=36|series=The Ellen DeGeneres Show|date=18 January 2012|quote=Gary [Oldman] was the only one I can think of who was my age, when I was about 22, where he was already a hero of mine.}}{{cbignore}} and Alec Baldwin described him as "preternaturally gifted" and "the greatest film actor of his generation".{{cite web|url=https://www.criterion.com/explore/167-alec-baldwin-s-top-10|title=Alec Baldwin's Top 10|publisher=The Criterion Collection|access-date=7 August 2016}} Kristin Scott Thomas referred to Oldman as "the most amazing, generous actor".{{cite journal |url=https://variety.com/2017/film/markets-festivals/kristin-scott-thomas-darkest-hour-gary-oldman-1202556681/ |title=Kristin Scott Thomas on 'Darkest Hour' and Rediscovering Her Love of Film |last=Lang |first=Brent |date=13 September 2017 |access-date=2 July 2018 |journal=Variety }} Christopher Eccleston hailed Oldman's Academy Award win for Darkest Hour as "massive" to people from working-class backgrounds. He remarked, "Oldman is as fine an actor as Daniel Day-Lewis, but Gary is not double-barrelled."{{cite magazine |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-12-04/christopher-eccleston-on-accent-class-and-difficult-days-on-doctor-who/ |title=Christopher Eccleston on accent, class and difficult days on Doctor Who |magazine=Radio Times |first=Michael |last=Hodges |date=24–30 March 2018}} Collaborating directors Luc Besson, Tony Scott and Christopher Nolan{{cite news|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/dark_knight_review_nolan_talks_sequel_inflation|title=Dark Knight Review: Nolan Talks Sequel Inflation|last=Thompson|first=Anne|date=6 July 2008|work=Indiewire|access-date=3 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129094415/http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/dark_knight_review_nolan_talks_sequel_inflation|archive-date=29 January 2016|url-status=dead}} have lauded his work; Besson in 1997 called him "one of the top five actors in the world", while Scott labelled him a "genius". David Cronenberg said that Oldman "really is a fabulous actor" who gave "the best version" of Jim Gordon (in Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy).{{cite web|url=http://www.film.com/movies/david-cronenberg-hates-dark-knight|title=David Cronenberg Hates On Superhero Movies|last=Tarnoff|first=Brooke|date=15 August 2012|website=Film.com|access-date=3 September 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924033531/http://www.film.com/movies/david-cronenberg-hates-dark-knight|archive-date=24 September 2015}}

Film critics have also been vocal in their appreciation of Oldman. Roger Ebert hailed him as "one of the great actors, able to play high, low, crass, noble";{{cite news |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-contender-2000 |title=The Contender |first=Roger|last=Ebert |author-link=Roger Ebert|date=13 October 2000 |work=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=21 May 2009}} while Gene Siskel called him "wonderful"{{cite episode |title= Week of 10 May 1997: The Fifth Element review|series= At the Movies|airdate= 10 May 1997|season= 11|number= 35}} "...the wonderful Gary Oldman." and one of his favourite actors.{{cite episode |title= State of Grace review|series= At the Movies|airdate= September 1990}} "...one of my favourite actors." Peter Travers described Oldman as "one of the best actors on the planet".{{cite magazine|first=Peter|last=Travers|author-link=Peter Travers|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/tinker-tailor-soldier-spy-20111208|title=Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy review|magazine=Rolling Stone Ltd.|location=New York City|date=8 December 2011|access-date=29 February 2012}} Prior to his first Academy Award nomination for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Oldman was regarded as one of the greatest actors never nominated for the award;{{cite news|first=Rick|last=Fulton|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-interviews/2011/03/18/gary-oldman-my-career-has-been-good-but-my-kids-are-my-biggest-accomplishment-86908-22998109/|title=Gary Oldman: My career has been good but my kids are my biggest accomplishment|newspaper=Daily Record|publisher=Media Scotland|location=Glasgow, Scotland|date=18 March 2011|access-date=18 March 2011}}Larnick, Eric. [https://web.archive.org/web/20110228174638/http://blog.moviefone.com/oscars-academy-awards/actors-never-been-nominated/ "Actors Who've Never Been Nominated for Oscars"]. Moviefone. 24 February 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2011.[http://uproxx.com/hitfix/will-gary-oldman-finally-land-an-oscar-nod-for-tinker-tailor-soldier-spy/ "Will Gary Oldman finally land an Oscar nod for 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy'?"]. HitFix. 4 July 2011. In 2009, Leigh Singer of the Guardian called him "arguably the best actor never Oscar-nominated."Singer, Leigh. [https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2009/feb/19/best-actors-never-nominated-for-oscars "Oscars: the best actors never to have been nominated"]. The Guardian. 19 February 2009. Retrieved 11 January 2010. Before winning for Darkest Hour, he also carried the label of the greatest actor never to win an Oscar.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/sep/11/gary-oldman-smiley-tinker-tailor|title=Gary Oldman: 'The secret of playing George Smiley was in finding the silhouette of a spy'|last=Lewis|first=Tim|date=11 September 2011|website=The Observer|access-date=8 June 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/london/film/gary-oldman-on-playing-the-anti-bond|title=Gary Oldman on playing 'the anti-Bond'|last=Clarke|first=Cath|date=2011|website=Time Out|access-date=8 June 2015|archive-date=26 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026095724/http://www.timeout.com/london/film/gary-oldman-on-playing-the-anti-bond|url-status=dead}} In 2018, Stuart McGurk of GQ described Oldman as "the master of being brilliant in bad movies".{{cite web | url= https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/gary-oldman-darkest-hour-oscar | title=Oscar-winning Gary Oldman is the master of being brilliant in bad movies | work=GQ | first=Stuart | last=McGurk | date=5 February 2018 | access-date=13 August 2021}}

File:Gary Oldman in 2017 (36334517524).jpg]]

In 1998, Oldman was honoured at the Camerimage Film Festival, where he was awarded the Krzysztof Kieślowski Award for Acting, the first recipient of the award.{{Cite web|url=https://camerimage.pl/en/goscie/o/|title=Guests – EnergaCAMERIMAGE 2021|website=camerimage.pl}} In 2011, Oldman received a Tribute Award from the Gotham Awards.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2011/09/gotham-awards-career-tributes-to-charlize-theron-david-cronenberg-gary-oldman-174938/ |title=Gotham Awards Career Tributes To Charlize Theron, David Cronenberg, Gary Oldman |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=22 September 2011 |access-date=2 July 2018 |website=Deadline Hollywood }} In that same year, the Palm Springs International Film Festival announced that Oldman would be receiving its International Star Award, which honours "an actor or actress who has achieved both critical and commercial international recognition throughout their body of work". The PSIFF chairman called Oldman "a performer whose ability to portray the most extreme of characters is a testament to the enormity of his talent".Pond, Steve (16 December 2011). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-garyoldman-award-idUSTRE7BF1HQ20111216 "Gary Oldman to be honored by Palm Springs film fest"]. Reuters. Retrieved 19 December 2011. In 2012, The Hollywood Reporter named Oldman the highest-grossing actor in history, based on lead and supporting roles.Kit, Borys (23 May 2012). [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/gary-oldman-robocop-328774 Gary Oldman Joining MGM's 'Robocop' Remake]. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 29 May 2012. Films in which he has appeared have grossed over $4.1 billion in the United States, and over $11 billion worldwide.{{cite web|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/person/1330401-Gary-Oldman#tab=acting|title=Gary Oldman – Box Office Data Movie Star|publisher=The-numbers.com|access-date=18 February 2018}}

In 2012, Oldman was among the British cultural icons selected by artist Sir Peter Blake to appear in a new version of his most famous artwork—the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover—to celebrate the British cultural figures of his life that he most admires to mark his 80th birthday.{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/tv-radio-web/the-new-faces-that-made-the-cut-for-sgt-peppers-2012-1.496087|title=The new faces that made the cut for Sgt Peppers 2012|last=Boyd|first=Brian|date=6 April 2012|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=20 December 2017}} In 2014, he received the Dilys Powell Award For Excellence in Film by the London Film Critics.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/entertainment-arts-26012202/london-critics-circle-film-awards-gary-oldman-on-role-of-critics |title=London Critics' Circle Film Awards: Gary Oldman on role of critics |date=3 February 2015 |access-date=2 July 2018 |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}

In 2018, Oldman received the Variety Award at the British Independent Film Awards, which recognises a director, actor, writer or producer who has made a global impact and helped to focus the international spotlight on the UK Variety's vice-president, Steven Gaydos, remarked that Oldman "has blazed a path as one of international cinema's most versatile and valued actors."{{cite journal |url=https://variety.com/2017/film/global/gary-oldman-variety-award-british-independent-film-awards-1202599287/ |title=Gary Oldman to Receive Variety Award at British Independent Film Awards |last=Barraclough |first=Leo |date=26 October 2017 |access-date=2 July 2018 |journal=Variety }} In the same year, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival awarded Oldman the Maltin Modern Master Award, the highest accolade awarded by SPIFF that honours an individual who has enriched our culture through accomplishments in the motion picture industry. Leonard Maltin claimed Oldman has "once again proven that he is a force to be reckoned with, and a true master of his craft".{{cite journal |url=https://variety.com/2017/film/awards/gary-oldman-maltin-modern-master-award-sbiff-1202615302/ |title=Gary Oldman to Receive Maltin Modern Master Award at Santa Barbara Fest |last=Nyren |first=Erin |date=15 November 2017 |access-date=2 July 2018 |journal=Variety }} Oldman was also awarded his first Career Achievement Award by the Hollywood Film Awards.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2017/10/gary-oldman-career-achievement-hollywood-film-awards-1202198316/ |title=Gary Oldman To Be Honored For Career Achievement At Hollywood Film Awards |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=31 October 2017 |access-date=2 July 2017 |website=Deadline Hollywood |publisher=Penske Business Media}} The Make-up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards as well honoured him with the Distinguished Artisan Award, which IATSE President Susan Cabral-Ebert proclaimed him as "a chameleon, an actor who changes his appearance, his voice, everything about himself from film to film".{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2017/11/gary-oldman-set-for-career-honor-from-make-up-artists-and-hair-stylists-guild-1202215623/ |title=Gary Oldman Set For Career Honor From Make-Up Artists And Hair Stylists Guild |last=Pedersen |first=Erik |date=28 November 2017 |access-date=2 July 2017 |website=Deadline Hollywood |publisher=Penske Business Media}}

Acting credits and accolades

{{See also|Gary Oldman filmography|List of awards and nominations received by Gary Oldman}}

Throughout his career, Oldman has received numerous accolades including an Academy Award, three British Academy Film Awards, two Critics' Choice Movie Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award as well as nominations for two Primetime Emmy Awards, and two Independent Spirit Awards.

Over his distinguished career he has been recognised by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the following performances:

84th Academy Awards: Best Actor in a Leading Role, nomination for George Smiley in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)
90th Academy Awards: Best Actor in a Leading Role, win for Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour (2017)
93rd Academy Awards: Best Actor in a Leading Role, nomination for Herman J. Mankiewicz in Mank (2020)

Personal life

=Views and lifestyle=

After establishing himself as an actor, Oldman moved to Los Angeles in the early 1990s. He employs no publicist and does not go to parties, telling an interviewer in 2007 that he has "dinner at home every night with my kids." In 2014, he described himself as a libertarian.{{cite web|author=Nick Gillespie |url=http://reason.com/blog/2014/06/24/legendary-actor-gary-oldman-outs-himself |title=Legendary Actor Gary Oldman Outs Himself as a 'Libertarian'; Also Upset That He Can't Call Nancy Pelosi the C-Word – Hit & Run |publisher=Reason.com |date=24 June 2014 |access-date=12 August 2014}}

Oldman's alcoholism was well known during the early 1990s; he was arrested for drunk driving in 1991 and checked himself into rehab in 1994.{{cite news |last=Werner |first=Laurie |date=28 January 1995 |title=In Search of Gary Oldman : The Actor's Onscreen Intensity Belies His Lighter Side |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-01-28-ca-25244-story.html |access-date=26 August 2020 |work=Los Angeles Times}} In subsequent interviews, he acknowledged his problems with alcohol and called himself a recovering alcoholic in a 2001 interview with Charlie Rose.{{cite web|url=https://charlierose.com/videos/810 |title=Charlie Rose |publisher=charlierose.com |access-date=12 August 2014}} He no longer drinks alcohol and has been sober since 1997{{cite news |last=Whipp |first=Glenn |date=2 March 2021 |title=Gary Oldman knows Mank and those drinking issues: 'I used to sweat vodka' |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/awards/story/2021-03-02/gary-oldman-mank-david-fincher |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106114802/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/awards/story/2021-03-02/gary-oldman-mank-david-fincher |archive-date=6 January 2022 |access-date=6 January 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times}} and attributes his success in beating his addiction to attending meetings with Alcoholics Anonymous, which he has publicly praised.{{cite web |url=http://www.bollywoodsargam.com/bollywood_news.php?newsstory=295421776--0-latest-Gary_Oldman_Sells_What_He_Cant_Have_bollywood_news.html |title=Gary Oldman Sells What He Can't Have |publisher=BollywoodSARGAM |date=19 July 2000 |access-date=11 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100122231019/http://www.bollywoodsargam.com/bollywood_news.php?newsstory=295421776--0-latest-Gary_Oldman_Sells_What_He_Cant_Have_bollywood_news.html |archive-date=22 January 2010}}

=Marriages and family=

Oldman has been married five times. He wed English actress Lesley Manville in 1987, and their son, Alfie, was born the following year. Oldman and Manville separated in 1989, three months after Alfie's birth, and divorced a year later.{{cite web|last=Cleary|first=Olivia-Anne|date=18 July 2022|title=At 28, Lesley Manville Was Acting, Picketing, & Singing Kate Bush Songs|url=https://www.bustle.com/entertainment/lesley-manville-young-dating-life-husband-the-crown-princess-margaret|website=Bustle|access-date=9 January 2025}}

Manville stated in 2018 that she and Oldman are on good terms, saying, "[H]e's got a new wife, and we all get on... Gary and I are friends."{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/hollywood/both-lesley-manville-and-ex-husband-gary-oldman-were-nominated-for-oscars-he-s-got-a-new-wife-we-get-on/story-cNgHb2cFGivDda8SZRz0kK.html|title=Both Lesley Manville and ex-husband Gary Oldman were nominated for Oscars: He's got a new wife, we get on|date=7 March 2018|website=Hindustan Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404203358/https://www.hindustantimes.com/hollywood/both-lesley-manville-and-ex-husband-gary-oldman-were-nominated-for-oscars-he-s-got-a-new-wife-we-get-on/story-cNgHb2cFGivDda8SZRz0kK.html|archive-date=4 April 2022|url-status=bot: unknown|access-date=17 April 2022}} They have two grandchildren, Matilda and Ozzy Oldman, through Alfie.{{cite news |last=Steafel |first=Eleanor |date=27 January 2018 |title=Daniel Day-Lewis really wanted us to be absolutely comfortable together... many gins were had |url=https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/movies/daniel-day-lewis-really-wanted-us-to-be-absolutely-comfortable-together-many-gins-were-had-36531366.html |url-status=bot: unknown |newspaper=Irish Independent |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207103950/https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/movies/daniel-day-lewis-really-wanted-us-to-be-absolutely-comfortable-together-many-gins-were-had-36531366.html |archive-date=7 December 2021 |access-date=17 April 2022 }}

Oldman married American actress Uma Thurman in 1990; they divorced in 1992.{{cite newspaper| last=Green| first=Tom| date=7 November 1992| title='Jennifer 8' role brings Thurman down to earth| url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/748989133/| agency=Gannett| newspaper=The Desert Sun| page=G7| via=Newspapers.com}}

From 1994 to 1996 Oldman was engaged to Italian actress and model Isabella Rossellini, his co-star in Immortal Beloved; they never wed.

In 1997, Oldman married American model Donya Fiorentino (sister of actress Linda Fiorentino),{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YF0EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22the+sister+of+actress+Linda+Fiorentino+and+ex-wife%22&pg=PA22|title=Regrets Only|magazine=Los Angeles|date=May 1997|page=22|access-date=27 January 2023|archive-date=14 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114150134/https://books.google.com/books?id=YF0EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22the+sister+of+actress+Linda+Fiorentino+and+ex-wife%22&pg=PA22|url-status=live}} with whom he had two sons: Gulliver (born 1997) and Charlie (born 1999). In 2001, Fiorentino filed for divorce, claiming that Oldman had hit her in the face with a telephone receiver while choking her.{{Cite web |last=ABC News |date=19 April 2001 |title=Gary Oldman's Wife Wants Divorce |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=106498&page=1 |access-date=26 July 2024 |website=ABC News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Ahmed |first=Tufayel |date=5 March 2018 |title=Gary Oldman's Oscar Win Clouded By Ex-Wife Abuse Claims |url=https://www.newsweek.com/who-donya-fiorentino-gary-oldmans-oscar-win-clouded-domestic-abuse-claims-ex-830465 |access-date=26 July 2024 |website=Newsweek |language=en}} Oldman was investigated and cleared, receiving sole legal and physical child custody;{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/brutally-honest-oscar-ballot-call-me-by-your-name-is-wrong-post-got-spielberg-ized-1088406/item/honest-oscar-ballot-best-picture-1088401|title=Brutally Honest Oscar Ballot|last=Feinberg|first=Scott|date=27 February 2018|website=The Hollywood Reporter|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304190812/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/brutally-honest-oscar-ballot-call-me-by-your-name-is-wrong-post-got-spielberg-ized-1088406/item/honest-oscar-ballot-best-picture-1088401|archive-date=4 March 2021|url-status=bot: unknown|access-date=17 April 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2018/03/07/gary-oldmans-son-alleged-assault-against-ex-wife-didnt-happen/403303002/|title=Gary Oldman's son: Alleged assault against ex-wife 'didn't happen'|last=Deerwester|first=Jayme|date=7 March 2018|website=USA Today|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410132630/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2018/03/07/gary-oldmans-son-alleged-assault-against-ex-wife-didnt-happen/403303002/|archive-date=10 April 2022|url-status=bot: unknown|access-date=17 April 2022}} Fiorentino was granted limited, state-supervised contact dependent on her passing drug and alcohol tests. In 2003, a judge reduced her access to the children after dismissing claims that Oldman had drugged and physically abused them.{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/hp/front/oldman-wins-custody-of-sons-6978087.html|title=Oldman wins custody of sons|date=29 July 2003|website=Evening Standard|access-date=6 January 2022|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106141135/https://www.standard.co.uk/hp/front/oldman-wins-custody-of-sons-6978087.html|archive-date=6 January 2022}}{{cite journal|last=Picture|first=Bill|date=30 July 2003|title=Father knows best|journal=San Francisco Examiner|pages=2|quote=Donya alleges that a drunken Gary hit 4-year-old Charlie recently and burned him with a cigarette. But the judge saw through her bogus accusations.}} In 2018, Gulliver, whom Fiorentino claimed had witnessed the alleged 2001 assault, lamented the "pain and hardship" caused by his mother's "lies" over the years, while specifically condemning the media's "disgusting" perpetuation of the assault allegation.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/gary-oldmans-son-pens-open-letter-defending-father-domestic-abuse-claims-1092566|title=Gary Oldman's Son Pens Open Letter Defending Father From Domestic Abuse Claims|last1=Kilkenny|first1=Katie|last2=Galuppo|first2=Mia|date=6 March 2018|website=The Hollywood Reporter|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206012224/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/gary-oldmans-son-pens-open-letter-defending-father-domestic-abuse-claims-1092566|archive-date=6 December 2020|url-status=bot: unknown|access-date=17 April 2022}}

On 31 December 2008, Oldman married English singer and actress Alexandra Edenborough in Santa Barbara, California.{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/4124701/Gary-Oldman-marries-fourth-wife-Alexandra-Edenborough.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/4124701/Gary-Oldman-marries-fourth-wife-Alexandra-Edenborough.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Gary Oldman marries fourth wife Alexandra Edenborough |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=5 January 2009 |access-date=28 September 2013}}{{cbignore}} Edenborough filed for divorce on 9 January 2015; the divorce was finalised in September 2015.{{cite magazine| last=Steiner| first=Amanda Michelle| date=12 January 2015| title=Gary Oldman and Alexandra Edenborough to Divorce| url=https://people.com/movies/gary-oldman-divorce-alexandra-edenborough-cites-irreconcilable-differences/| magazine=People| url-status=bot: unknown| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417211356/https://people.com/movies/gary-oldman-divorce-alexandra-edenborough-cites-irreconcilable-differences/| archive-date=17 April 2022| access-date=17 April 2022}}{{cite news |date=1 October 2015 |title=Judge finalizes actor Gary Oldman's divorce from 4th wife |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/ap-judge-finalizes-actor-gary-oldmans-divorce-from-4th-wife-2015-10?r=US&IR=T |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308020402/https://www.businessinsider.com/ap-judge-finalizes-actor-gary-oldmans-divorce-from-4th-wife-2015-10?r=US&IR=T |archive-date=8 March 2021 |access-date=24 May 2020 |work=Business Insider |location=Los Angeles |publication-place=New York City |agency=Associated Press}} In August 2017, Oldman married writer and art curator Gisele Schmidt in a private ceremony at the home of his manager, Douglas Urbanski.{{cite news|last=Pearson|first=Ryan|date=10 November 2017|title=Gary Oldman marries for fifth time|url=https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-california-north-america-celebrities-gary-oldman-85982a21d39041ce9587d013d2ff60d2|work=Associated Press|location=Los Angeles|publication-place=New York City|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417205854/https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-california-north-america-celebrities-gary-oldman-85982a21d39041ce9587d013d2ff60d2|archive-date=17 April 2022|url-status=bot: unknown|access-date=17 April 2022}} As of 2021, Oldman and Schmidt live in Palm Springs, California.{{Cite web |last=Lang |first=Derrik J. |date=1 March 2021 |title="Mank" Star Gary Oldman Calls Palm Springs Home for Good |url=https://www.palmspringslife.com/gary-oldman-palm-springs/ |access-date=26 July 2024 |website=Palm Springs Life |language=en-US}}

References

External links

{{IMDb name|0000198}}
{{Screenonline name|471018}}
[https://web.archive.org/web/20060510060800/http://zakka.dk/euroscreenwriters/interviews/gary_oldman_525.htm Interview with Gary Oldman on his directorial debut – Nil by Mouth]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20140814231204/http://www.ctzine.com/wolf-in-sheeps-clothing-the-strange-career-of-gary-oldman/ Wolf in Sheep's Clothing: The Strange Career of Gary Oldman]

{{Navboxes

|title = Awards for Gary Oldman

|list =

{{Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor}}

{{Evening Standard British Film Award for Most Promising Newcomer}}

{{San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor}}

{{St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor}}

{{Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor}}

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Category:1958 births

Category:20th-century English male actors

Category:21st-century English male actors