Gary Oldman was born as Gary Leonard Oldman in New Cross (South London) in England on March 21st 1958. His father left the family when Gary was only seven so he was raised by his mother and his two sisters. He rarely saw him after that. A few years ago his father past away at the age of 62 from the complications of alcoholism.
Gary dropped out of school at the age of sixteen to start working at a sports-equipmentstore. In this period Gary Oldman started to read and study literature and he thought himself to play the piano. Shortly thereafter he met Roger Williams, a drama teacher who introduced Gary to acting.
After playing in some (rather unknown) movies Gary turned to the stage until he return to the movies in 1986 when he played role of Punk-rocker Sid Vicious in the Sid & Nancy. Critics raved and Gary had established his name in the movie-business. Some of the critics claimed that Gary didn't just play the role but that he was Sid Vicious. (And I must agree)
It took until 1991 for Gary to play another role that made the world notice him again. In JFK he played the part of Lee Harvey Oswald. Another historical figure and again Gary's acting made you forget you weren't watching the man himself as he was picked up for a murder he probably never committed.
In 1992 Gary played his best part to date (at least according to me) as he was casted as Count Dracula in Bram Dracula directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Although the movie was reviewed with mixed emotions it is without a doubt that Gary's performance was brilliant.He brings a sensuality and anger to the role that none of his predecessors has ever achieved. In all his disguises Gary portraits the ultimate Dracula in all his love, sexuality and madness. The best Dracula ever!!
In the meantime Gary had been married two times. He first married Lesley Manville and in 1990 he married actress Uma Thurman. Both marriages were short, lasting only a couple of years. From his first marriage Gary has a son named Alfie.
During the making of Immortal Beloved (in which Gary again plays a historical figure, this time it's the composer Beethoven.) He had a brief relationship with co-start Isabella Rosselini.
Early 1997 Gary was wed to Donya Fiorentino, an American Photographer. On the 20th of August 1997 she gave birth to a baby-boy called Gulliver Flynn Oldman.In 2001 the couple divorced.
During his most successful period Gary struggled with the only thing he inherited from his father; his alcohol-problem. Things got so bad he decided to check into a clinic. This has seemed the right thing to do because after his treatment Gary seems to be free of his problem. Although his private life hasn't been that great his acting nevered suffered from this.
"Contrary to the dark parts he plays Gary Oldman is a charming and fun guy" according to Isabella Rosselini. Not just Rosselini but most of the directors and fellow-actors who he has worked with consider Gary Oldman as a very nice guy and above all a professional.
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*Note* Gary's film Nil By Mouth went on to win the Alexander Korda Award for Best British Film, a BAFTA Award, the Channel 4 Director's Award, and the Empire Award, and was declared by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts as one of the one hundred best films of all time despite containing the word 'f**k' 410 times, a record for any film.
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Thanks bunches to Giso (check links for the fansite) for helping on the bio.
Movie Credits
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007) - Sirius Black
Bosque de sombras (2006) - Paul
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) - Sirius Black
Batman Begins (2005) - Jim Gordon
Who's Kyle? (2004) - Scouse
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) - Sirius Black
Dead Fish (2004) - Lynch
Sin (2003/I) (V) - Charlie Strom
Tiptoes (2003) - Rolfe
The Hire: Beat the Devil (2002) - Devil
Interstate 60 (2002) - O.W. Grant
Hannibal (2001) - Mason Verger
Nobody's Baby (2001) - Buford Dill
The Contender (2000) - Rep. Sheldon Runyon
Jesus (1999) (TV) - Pontius Pilate
Quest for Camelot (1998) (voice) - Baron Ruber
Lost in Space (1998) - Dr. Zachary Smith
Air Force One (1997) - Ivan Korshunov
The Fifth Element (1997) - Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg
Basquiat (1996) - Albert Milo
The Scarlet Letter (1995) - Rev. Arthur Dimmesdale
Murder in the First (1995) - Milton Glenn
Immortal Beloved (1994) - Ludwig van Beethoven
Léon: The Professional (1994) - Stansfield
Romeo Is Bleeding (1993) - Jack Grimaldi
True Romance (1993) - Drexl Spivey
Dracula (1992) - Dracula
JFK (1991) - Lee Harvey Oswald
Heading Home (1991) (TV) - Ian Tyson
Henry & June (1990) (as Maurice Escargot) - Pop
State of Grace (1990) - Jackie Flannery
Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead (1990) - Rosencrantz
Chattahoochee (1989) - Emmett Foley
We Think the World of You (1988) .... Johnny
Criminal Law (1988) - Ben Chase
Track 29 (1988) - Martin
The Firm (1988) (TV) - Bex Bissell
Prick Up Your Ears (1987) - Joe Orton
Sid and Nancy (1986) - Sid Vicious
Honest, Decent & True (1985) (TV) - Derek Bates
Morgan's Boy (1984) (TV) - Colin
Meantime (1984) (TV) - Coxy
Remembrance (1982) - Daniel
... and many more.
[-] Hide Full Biography
Gary Oldman was born as Gary Leonard Oldman in New Cross (South London) in England on March 21st 1958. His father left the family when Gary was only seven so he was raised by his mother and his two sisters. He rarely saw him after that. A few years ago his father past away at the age of 62 from the complications of alcoholism.
Gary dropped out of school at the age of sixteen to start working at a sports-equipmentstore. In this period Gary Oldman started to read and study literature and he thought himself to play the piano. Shortly thereafter he met Roger Williams, a drama teacher who introduced Gary to acting.
After playing in some (rather unknown) movies Gary turned to the stage until he return to the movies in 1986 when he played role of Punk-rocker Sid Vicious in the Sid & Nancy. Critics raved and Gary had established his name in the movie-business. Some of the critics claimed that Gary didn't just play the role but that he was Sid Vicious. (And I must agree)
It took until 1991 for Gary
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