Gary Oldman's Gratitude for Harry Potter and Batman Roles
At 65, Gary Oldman expressed his gratitude for the roles in "Harry Potter" and "Batman" movies, which catapulted him into international fame, success, and salvation in his personal life following a tumultuous period.
In 2001, after a chaotic divorce and bitter custody battle with ex-wife Donya Fiorentino, Oldman found himself as a single father to two sons. Subsequently, the film industry underwent a shift, with numerous productions moving overseas to Hungary, Budapest, Prague, and Australia. This forced him to turn down several opportunities, adding to his struggles.
The savior came in the form of roles in the Harry Potter and Batman film series. In 2004, Oldman made his debut as Sirius Black in "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," and he played police chief James Gordon for the first time in "Batman Begins" the following year. He reprised these roles in the sequels, ultimately acknowledging their significant impact on his life.
Oldman shared, "I owe my heart to Harry Potter." He continued on Drew Barrymore’s show, recalling his marital woes and simultaneous challenges within the industry. He confessed, "I thank God for Harry Potter," expressing how these roles served as a lifeline, affording him the opportunity to provide for his children without working excessively.
A Multiple-Time Husband
Gary Oldman has been married five times. His first marriage was to Lesley Manville, the actress of "The Crown," at the end of the 1980s. They share a son. Oldman enjoyed a brief marriage with Uma Thurman from 1990 to 1992. After Thurman, he tied the knot with Donya Fiorentino, with whom he had two sons. In 2008, Oldman married singer Alexandra Edenborough, calling it quits in 2015. He currently resides with his fifth wife, author and curator Gisele Schmidt.
Oldman's roles in "Harry Potter" and "Batman" served as a turning point in his life, providing him with the means to balance fatherhood and work. These iconic franchises allowed him to navigate through a challenging personal phase, find financial stability, and strengthen his acting career.
Sources
Gary Oldman experienced a tumultuous time dealing with divorce and custody battles while the film industry was undergoing a shift, leading to limited opportunities. His roles in the Harry Potter and Batman films, specifically Sirius Black and James Gordon, became life-changing. These roles brought him financial stability, recognition, and allowed him to juggle fatherhood and career. Oldman expressed his deep gratitude for these movies, which served as a powerful and crucial turning point in his personal life and career.
