Harry Potter Revives Gary Oldman's Fading Career

Gary Oldman credits Harry Potter and another blockbuster film for reviving his career in Hollywood, which he felt was on the decline. The Harry Potter film franchise has featured many acclaimed actors in iconic roles over the years.

British actors such as Maggie Smith as Minerva McGonagall and Alan Rickman as Severus Snape eagerly joined the magical world. Gary Oldman, who portrayed Harry’s godfather Sirius Black, is particularly notable and greatly valued his role in the franchise, crediting it with revitalizing his acting career.

Oldman sees Harry Potter and Batman franchises as career saviors

Appearing on The Drew Barrymore Show, the English actor delved into his extensive career spanning decades and shared insights about balancing single fatherhood with his roles in two of the largest movie franchises.

“At 42 years old, I woke up to find myself divorced and with custody of my boys,” Oldman reflected. “That, in itself, was difficult because there was a shift in the industry with many productions being filmed in Hungary, Budapest, Prague, and Australia. As a result, I had to turn down a lot of work.”

“Thank goodness for ‘Harry Potter.’ Thank goodness for ‘Harry Potter.’ I tell you, those two - ‘Batman’ and ‘Harry Potter’ - really saved me, because it meant that I could do the least amount of work for the most amount of money and then be home with the kids.”

Oldman not only portrayed Sirius Black in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, but he also took on the role of Gotham City Commissioner Jim Gordon in Batman Begins. Both films were shot consecutively in 2004 and 2005.

During the filming of Batman Begins, Oldman had to travel back and forth between LA and London, where London served as the backdrop for Gotham City. Despite the demanding schedule, director Chris Nolan managed to keep everything on track. Oldman expressed that he made sure to take quick breaks to be with his family, as he did not want to miss out on being present in his children's lives.

Oldman initially faced challenges juggling his involvement in two major franchises, but he successfully managed his schedule to participate in both the Harry Potter and Batman series until their conclusion in 2011 and 2012, respectively.

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Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I find Gary Oldman's story to be both inspiring and relatable. It's inspiring to see how he was able to overcome the challenges he faced in his personal life and career, and it's relatable to hear about the struggles of balancing work and family. Oldman's dedication to his children and his commitment to his craft are truly admirable.

I also appreciate Oldman's candor about the impact that the Harry Potter and Batman franchises had on his career. It's clear that these roles were a turning point for him, and I'm glad that he was able to find success and fulfillment through them. Overall, I think Oldman's story is a great reminder that it's never too late to turn things around, and that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.