Gary Oldman biography, net worth, young photos, age, height, wife and kids 2025

Gary Oldman Biography

Gary Oldman is a multifaceted talent who's mastered acting, producing, directing, and music. His career includes standout collaborations with world-class directors like Quentin Tarantino, Luc Besson, Christopher Nolan, and Ridley Scott. He shot to international fame playing Sid in Sid and Nancy and the title role in Bram Stoker's Dracula. In 2018, he won his first Oscar for his stunning portrayal of Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour.

Early Life

Gary Oldman was born in London in March 1958. His father, Leonard Bertram Oldman, worked as a welder, while his mother, Kathleen, was a homemaker. His father struggled with alcoholism and abandoned the family when Gary was seven.

In his teens, Gary dropped out of school to work at a sports shop. Young Oldman had a strong singing voice and played piano well, but he didn't pursue music professionally—acting had captured his imagination. In 1970, he watched A Clockwork Orange starring Malcolm McDowell, and that sealed the deal: he was going to be an actor.

When Oldman couldn't get into the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art as he'd hoped, he landed at the Young People's Theatre in Greenwich instead. That experience eventually opened doors to Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance. In 1979, he graduated with honors, earning his Bachelor of Arts in Theatre.

Acting Career

After graduation, Oldman launched his career at London's major theaters. His professional stage debut came as a cat in the production of "Dick Whittington and His Cat."

In 1985, the actor won Time Out magazine's award for best debut of the season. That same year, Gary received recognition from the British Theatre Association. Oldman spent ten years working at Greenwich Young People's Theatre and toured Europe with the Glasgow theatre company.

In the early '80s, Gary was a promising television actor. His big-screen breakthrough came in 1986 when he landed the lead role in the acclaimed film Sid and Nancy.

Gary flat-out refused to play Sid Vicious, the notorious troublemaker from the Sex Pistols. Director Alex Cox only managed to convince Oldman on his third attempt by offering a substantial paycheck. The role required Gary to lose so much weight that he ended up hospitalized. But it was this performance that truly made Oldman's name and cemented his reputation as the go-to "bad guy." When Premiere Magazine compiled its ranking of the 100 Greatest Performances of All Time, Sid Vicious landed at number 62. Gary Oldman's acting chops earned rave reviews from critics and literally opened every door to Hollywood.

Sid And Nancy | Official Trailer | Starring Gary Oldman

In 1988, Oliver Stone offered Oldman the role of Lee Harvey Oswald – the alleged assassin of President John F. Kennedy – in his landmark film JFK. The picture earned top marks from critics, scoring eight Oscar nominations and winning two.

While preparing to play Kennedy's assassin, Gary felt the script provided too little information about his character. To fill in the gaps, the director gave him the necessary phone numbers, and Oldman launched his own investigation. The actor met with the alleged killer's wife and daughters.

In 1992, the actor took on the role of Vlad the Impaler in the iconic film "Bram Stoker's Dracula." To fully embody the character, Oldman attended special training sessions to lower his voice by an octave. For the grief-stricken scenes, he used a photograph of his own son Alfie to tap into genuine emotion. This role opened the floodgates—suddenly, Oldman was Hollywood's go-to guy for villains.

Two years later, Oldman transformed into Beethoven for "Immortal Beloved." Getting into character meant five-hour daily piano lessons—talk about dedication.

Oldman cemented his status as Hollywood's ultimate villain in 1997 with Luc Besson's sci-fi spectacle "The Fifth Element," starring Bruce Willis and Milla Jovovich.

Gary Oldman interview

Oldman signed on without even reading the script. Working with Besson again—after their collaboration on "Léon: The Professional"—was reason enough. To this day, Besson considers Oldman one of the five best actors working today.

Many consider "The Scarlet Letter" (1995) Gary's biggest career misstep. Playing Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, Oldman couldn't save this box office bomb from scathing reviews. The film earned seven Razzie nominations, including Worst Screen Couple for Oldman and Demi Moore.

In February 2001, Hannibal hit theaters. After that, Oldman didn't appear in any feature films for three years. During this time, the actor took part in the largely overlooked Interstate 60 and Tiptoes.

Gary himself said he was tired of playing "psycho villains," so in 2004 he jumped at the chance to play Sirius Black, the animagus godfather of the main character, in the worldwide Harry Potter franchise. "I was thrilled to be in films my kids could watch without being scared," Oldman said about the role.

Gary Oldman as Sirius Black (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban)

Gary expanded his new "good guy" persona with the role of the utterly honest cop Jim Gordon in Christopher Nolan's Batman films based on the comics (the first one came out in 2005).

In 2008, Oldman grabbed audiences' attention with The Book of Eli, which also starred Denzel Washington, and three years later, after his role in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, the actor earned his first Oscar nomination.

In the RoboCop remake that came out in 2014, Gary played the doctor who created the robot cop. That same year, the actor appeared as a surviving member of the human race in the sci-fi action film Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.

Darkest Hour Official Trailer #1 (2017)

In February 2018, Gary Oldman won his first Oscar. He received the "Best Actor" statuette for his role as Winston Churchill in Joe Wright's war drama Darkest Hour.

Gary Oldman at the 2018 Oscar ceremony

The makeup artist also won an Oscar for transforming Oldman beyond recognition – on screen he looks much older and heavier than in real life.

During the filming of Darkest Hour, Gary smoked 400 cigars in a couple of days, which gave him nicotine poisoning. The actor was given cigars that were already ¾ smoked, which he'd finish quickly. Then an assistant would bring Oldman another cigar. This went on for more than 10 takes for each scene.

In 2018, Gary Oldman teamed up with Joe Wright again. Their next project together is called The Woman in the Window. This time Gary played the head of a family who's closely watched by psychologist Anna Fox (Amy Adams). That same year, Oldman took part in Donovan Marsh's Hunter Killer. In this film, Gerard Butler and Gary Oldman have to save the Russian president.

Hunter Killer - Official Trailer

In 2019, Gary Oldman appeared in several films, including the thriller "Mary," "The Laundromat," "Killers Anonymous," and "The Courier." Surprisingly, despite featuring such a renowned actor, these films received extremely low ratings from critics and audiences. According to Kinopoisk, the average rating across these films was 4-6 out of 10.

In 2020, the actor appeared in David Fincher's "Mank" – a far more successful outing. The story follows Herman Mankiewicz as he holes up in a desert cottage in the Mojave to write a screenplay for director Orson Welles, while reminiscing about his years in Hollywood. During this same period, Oldman was also working on "A Place Among the Dead" alongside Juliette Landau.

The Many Accents of Gary Oldman

Other releases that year featuring Oldman include the thriller "Crisis," where he starred alongside Armie Hammer and Michelle Rodriguez, and the psychological mystery "The Woman in the Window."

And of course, Gary Oldman's name appeared on the list of actors invited to the special project "Return to Hogwarts" – a documentary featuring interviews with cast members from the Harry Potter saga, created to mark the 20th anniversary of the first film about the young wizards.

Other Achievements

Gary Oldman, together with his friend Douglas Urbanski, who also serves as his manager, founded the company "SE8 Group" to finance independent film productions.

In 1997, Gary directed his own film "Nil by Mouth," for which he served as both director and screenwriter. This work earned Oldman two BAFTA awards and a nomination for the Palme d'Or at Cannes.

Another directorial effort by Gary was a music video for his wife (now ex-wife) Alexandra Edenborough.

Alexandra Edenborough – 'Kiss Me Like The Woman You Loved' (directed by Gary Oldman)

Currently in production is Gary's directorial project – the feature film "Flying Horse," which will tell the life story of Eadweard Muybridge, photographer and pioneer of motion picture photography.

Gary Oldman's Personal Life

Gary Oldman's first wife was British actress Leslie Manville. They tied the knot in 1987, and a year later Leslie gave birth to their son Alfie. Just three months after the baby arrived, the actor walked out on his wife.

In 1990, while filming State of Grace, Oldman met then-little-known actress Uma Thurman. The two quickly married, but split after just two years. Tabloids pointed to Gary's drinking problem as the main reason for their divorce.

Oldman spent several years in a relationship with Italian actress Isabella Rossellini before meeting photographer Donya Fiorentino, whom he married in 1997.

Gary Oldman in a dark suit and Donya Fiorentino in an elegant dress pose together at an evening event. — Gary Oldman and Donya Fiorentino

Four years later, the marriage fell apart despite having two sons together, Gulliver (Gary's naming choice) and Charlie. Donya claimed Oldman struggled with alcohol and drug addiction, making their divorce messy and public. Gary, for his part, insisted Fiorentino also used illegal substances. After a lengthy court battle, the actor won sole custody of his sons. Donya got visitation rights. She later had harsh words about their life together:

I don't dispute he's a great actor. But was he a great husband? No. Our marriage was a giant car wreck. I was shattered. But now, hearing other women speak up without fear, I want the world to know the truth. He'd blow huge amounts on alcohol, prostitutes, and drugs. Over one weekend, he could drop more than $18,000 at a hotel. We fought constantly. He'd tell me I married him because he was rich and famous. He had moments of aggression when he couldn't control himself.

In 2008, Gary walked down the aisle for the fourth time. His bride was British jazz singer Alexandra Edenborough. The couple married in California. Oldman felt optimistic about this one. "Practice makes perfect. Isn't that what they say? I'm not proud this is my fourth marriage. But this is a good one. Hopefully, the last," he told The Independent in 2014.

Gary Oldman and Alexandra Edenborough's wedding

In January 2015, Alexandra filed for divorce – once again, Gary's alcohol issues were to blame. Among the reasons for their split, Gary cited their significant age gap (20 years) and different interests.

Gary married for the fifth time in 2017. His chosen one was writer and art historian Gisele Schmidt, whom Oldman started dating while divorcing his previous wife. Gisele and Gary tied the knot secretly in Los Angeles, inviting only family and close friends to their wedding.

Gary Oldman in a tuxedo holds an Oscar statuette and smiles next to Gisele Schmidt in a black dress and glasses — Gisele Schmidt – Gary Oldman's fifth wife

The couple lives in Palm Springs, California. The marriage looks solid – possibly because this time Gary married someone nearly his age, with Gisele being just 4 years younger. His wife accompanies Gary to all ceremonies, and the couple never tires of showing their love in front of the cameras.

Gary Oldman Now

In April 2022, Apple TV+ launched the British spy thriller Slow Horses, based on Mick Herron's book series of the same name. The plot revolves around an MI5 department known as Slough House. This is where agents who've made serious mistakes end up—those who can't be fired for various reasons but are effectively sidelined. These failed agents are called "slow horses."

Gary Oldman in glasses and a suit sits at a desk in an office with his feet on the table, wearing a thoughtful expression — Gary Oldman in Slow Horses

Gary Oldman takes on the lead role of Jackson Lamb, a cynical, disheveled, crude, yet incredibly experienced head of Slough House. Once a brilliant agent, he now leads this team of outcasts. Critics consider it one of Oldman's most compelling performances in recent years: in 2024, it earned him Emmy and Golden Globe nominations, and in 2025, a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination and another Golden Globe nod. He stars alongside Jack Lowden and Kristin Scott Thomas.

Slow Horses — Official Trailer | Apple TV+

In the biographical drama Oppenheimer, chronicling the creation of the atomic bomb, Oldman once again transformed himself beyond recognition. Here he plays U.S. President Harry Truman (1945-1953), who authorized the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and approved the development of the hydrogen bomb despite Oppenheimer's protests.

Gary Oldman in glasses and a gray suit with a bow tie sits in an office, looking at the camera with a slight smile — Still from Oppenheimer

In 2024, the actor appeared in Paolo Sorrentino's drama Parthenope, which was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Oldman portrayed melancholic American writer John Cheever. The main character, a long-haired beauty played by newcomer Celeste Dalla Porta, finds herself inexplicably drawn to him.

In spring 2025, Gary Oldman returned to the stage after nearly four decades. From April 14 to May 17, he performed in Samuel Beckett's Krapp's Last Tape at York Theatre Royal—the very theater where his acting career began in 1979.

Oldman didn't just star in the production—he also directed and designed it. He even used the same tape recorder that the late John Hurt and Michael Gambon had employed in their versions of the play, as a tribute to his colleagues.

Prince William knights Gary Oldman, collage of two photos — Sir Gary Oldman

On June 13, King Charles III awarded the actor a knighthood. In an exclusive interview with Deadline before the official announcement, Oldman admitted: "Honestly, it's just overwhelming. I'm in shock." On September 30, Prince William conducted the knighting ceremony at Windsor Castle, officially making the actor Sir Gary Oldman. During the ceremony, Prince William mentioned The Fifth Element and Churchill from Darkest Hour—two completely different characters from the actor's career.

Gary Oldman: latest news and articles

Ana Love

He played good in The Dark Knight Rises but I didn`t watch new movies with him

2021-04-20 23:49:02
Grace McCoy

Oldman somehow stop acting so much, but he is a great actor, its strange

2021-04-14 22:19:18
David Collins

My favourite Gary is always on top, I watched so many movies with him and all of them was good

2021-04-01 21:44:38
James Baker

I have only respect for Gary Oldman and admiration. He has many roles and each is a masterpiece.

2021-03-11 22:34:53
Audrey Davis

Legendary actor, with him there is a bunch of tough roles, mostly negative characters, but that`s his type.

2021-01-04 17:42:33

Gary Oldman

Photos: Gary Oldman