Gary Oldman Biography



>Gary Oldman was born on March 21st 1958, in New Cross, South London, England. He attended Rose Bruford Drama College and later, the Greenwich Young People's Theatre.
Oldman began his acting career in 1979, and worked extensively in the theatre, from Shakespearean plays to contemporary works. From 1989-89, Oldman performed exclusively with the Royal Court Theatre. Oldman quickly established himself as a gifted 'actor's' actor. Working for BBC, Gary Oldman starred in Mike Leigh's "Mean Time' and Alan Clarke's "The Firm"(1988). His first big 'breakthrough' into the world of film came with "Sid and Nancy", which earned him widespread recognition. After appearing in "JFK" as Lee Harvey Oswald, and in "Bram Stoker's Dracula" as Dracula, Oldman's talent was more fully recognized in Hollywood, leading to 'big' roles, such as in "The Fifth Element", "Air Force One" to name a few. In 1995, Oldman formed a production company with Douglas Urbanski, the SEB group, which produced, along with personal friend Luc Besson, "Nil by Mouth," Oldman's directorial and writing debut.Oldman's newest release is "Air Force One", in which he stars with the internationally known movie star, Harrison Ford.

Oldman is known for his chameleon like ability to 'become' the character. His whole persona changes.


This astounding acting ability has led many to call him truly brilliant.
Unfortunately, his personal life has not held this success- two failed marriages (one to Uma Thurman, from 1990-1992). A marriage from the mid- eighties to English stage-actress, Lesley Manville, resulted in Oldman's son, Alfie, now eight and a half, with whom Oldman shares a good relationship. Oldman was also engaged to actress/model Isabella Rosselini, whom he met on the set of Immortal Beloved, but this too collapsed.

These failures are often blamed on Oldman's problems with alcohol abuse, inherited from his father. Though it never affected his acting career, in 1994, Oldman checked into an alcohol abuse program, and has since stayed sober.

Oldman married photographer Donya Fiorentino in early 1997, and his second son, Gulliver Flynn, was born in mid-August. Many hail Oldman as one of the greatest actors alive, and to watch one of his electrifying, consuming performances, one can see why.


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