Age: 64
Birthday: 21st March
Gary Oldman 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, and three British Academy Film Awards. His films have grossed over $11 billion worldwide, making him one of the highest-grossing actors of all time.
Oldman began acting in theatre in 1979. He continued to follow a stage career 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 portrayal of Joe Orton in Prick Up Your Ears (1987) and Rosencrantz in Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead (1990).
Oldman portrayed the villain The Fifth Element (1997) and later appeared in franchise roles such as Sirius Black in the Harry Potter series, James Gordon in The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005–2012) and a human leader, 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 Darkest Hour (2017), and was nominated for his portrayals of George Smiley in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) and Herman J. Mankiewicz in Mank (2020).
Oldman was executive producer and the writer and director of Nil by Mouth (1997), the latter of which he also wrote and directed. He has featured in television shows such as Friends, voiced Ignitius and Viktor Reznov respectively in The Legend of Spyro and Call of Duty video games and appeared in music videos for David Bowie, Guns N' Roses and Annie Lennox.
2021 - Best Leading Actor - MANK
ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS: 3 WINS: 1
2021 - Best Leading Actor - MANK
2018 - WINNER: Best Leading Actor - DARKEST HOUR
2012 - Best Leading Actor - TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY
BAFTA AWARD NOMINATIONS: 4 WINS: 2
2018 - WINNER: Best Leading Actor - DARKEST HOUR
2012 - Best Leading Actor - TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY
1998 - WINNER: Best Original Screenplay - NIL BY MOUTH
1988 - Best Leading Actor - PRICK UP YOUR EARS
GOLDEN GLOBE AWARD NOMINATIONS: 5 WINS: 3
2021 - Best Leading Actor - MANK
2018 - WINNER: Best Leading Actor - DARKEST HOUR
How do you rate Gary Oldman's films?
WATCH GARY OLDMAN THIS WEEK
ON TV:
FILM: Darkest Hour (2017)
Saturday 4th June, BBC1, 10:50pm
Second World War drama with an Oscar winning turn from Oldman. Faced with the threat of Nazi invasion during the early days of the war, new British Prime Minister Winston Churchill wrestles with a history-defining decision: negotiate with Adolf Hitler, or commit the nation to fight for all it holds dear.
FILM: Batman Begins (2005)
Saturday 4th June, BBC1, 10:50pm
Oldman is fantastic amongst the ensemble cast of the gritty DC take on Batman.
FILMS: Harry Potter Film Series (from 2004 - 2011)
Sky Cinema Harry Potter
Oldman again brilliant turning up from film 3 as Harry's godfather, the enigmatic Sirius Black.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 (2011)
FILM: The Fifth Element (1997)
Sunday 5th June, Channel 5, 5:35pm
Oldman is hilarious as an OTT villain in this sci-fi comedy.
ON NETFLIX..
FILM: Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)
Oldman once again brilliant as the terrifying villain in this family animated film - even though it's a peacock!
FILM: Mank (2020)
We gave Oldman a Mix Up Theatre Movie Award nomination for his role in this love letter to classic Hollywood filmmaking.
ON AMAZON PRIME...
FILM: Red Riding Hood (2011)
Oldman stars in this Twilight-style take on the Little Red Riding Hood fable.
ON DISNEY+
FILM: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
Oldman, gives another excellent villain performance in this first sequel in the Planet of the Apes trilogy.
What's your favourite Gary Oldman performance?
Make sure you are booked in for this week's DRAMA CLASSES
Mix Up Theatre provide drama classes Online for anyone aged 12-18 (can be based anywhere!)
and in-person drama classes for ages 3-18 throughout Scotland.
