Career Timeline of Gary Oldman: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Gary Oldman built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Gary Oldman is a highly acclaimed English actor and filmmaker celebrated for his versatility and intense acting style. He has received numerous prestigious awards, including an Academy Award and multiple British Academy Film Awards. Oldman's films have collectively grossed over $11 billion worldwide, establishing him as one of the highest-grossing actors in cinematic history.
2 days ago : Gary Oldman discusses 'Slow Horses'; new season 5 sneak peek unveiled by Apple TV+.
Gary Oldman discusses 'Slow Horses' in a new interview. A 'Slow Horses' star teases season 5. Apple TV+ reveals a first look at the upcoming season of the espionage drama.
1988: Live piano performance in "Track 29".
In 1988, Gary Oldman showcased his musical talent by singing and playing live piano in the movie Track 29.
1993: Appearance in Annie Lennox's "Love Song for a Vampire" music video.
In 1993, Gary Oldman appeared in the music video for Annie Lennox's international hit "Love Song for a Vampire", written for the soundtrack to Bram Stoker's Dracula.
1994: Tracing Beethoven Compositions in Immortal Beloved
In 1994, Gary Oldman traced over Beethoven compositions for the film Immortal Beloved and tutored Daniel Radcliffe on bass guitar.
1995: Remarks on musical inclination.
In 1995, during an interview with Charlie Rose, Gary Oldman expressed his preference for being a musician over an actor and showcased his musical talent by singing on the Sid and Nancy soundtrack.
1997: Directed Nil by Mouth
In 1997, Gary Oldman directed, produced, and wrote Nil by Mouth, a film partially based on his recollections of a child he knew in school. Nil by Mouth went on to win the BAFTA Alexander Korda Award for Best British Film and also the BAFTA Award for Best Screenplay.
2000: Starred in The Contender
In 2000, Gary Oldman starred as Sheldon Runyon in The Contender, also acting as executive producer. He received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for his performance. However, there were claims about DreamWorks editing the film, which were refuted by Oldman's manager.
May 2001: Guest appearance on Friends
In May 2001, Gary Oldman made a guest appearance on the NBC sitcom Friends in the two-part episode "The One With Chandler and Monica's Wedding" as Richard Crosby. He also earned a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series.
2002: Role as the Devil in BMW short film.
In 2002, Gary Oldman played the Devil in the BMW short film Beat The Devil, alongside Clive Owen, James Brown, and Marilyn Manson.
2002: Starred in Interstate 60
In 2002, Gary Oldman starred in the well-received film Interstate 60 and played the Devil in the BMW short film, The Hire: Beat the Devil.
2003: Starred in Tiptoes and Sin
In 2003, Gary Oldman starred in the films Tiptoes and Sin. He garnered praise for his role in Tiptoes despite the film's overall negative reception.
2004: Returned to major roles
In 2004, Gary Oldman returned to major roles after a period where he was seemingly blacklisted, starring in Interstate 60 and The Hire: Beat the Devil.
2004: First appearance in Harry Potter
In 2004, Gary Oldman returned to prominence by appearing in the Harry Potter film series as Sirius Black, starting with The Prisoner of Azkaban.
September 2006: Directed Short Film Donut
In September 2006, Gary Oldman directed the short film Donut, with music by Tor Hyams, which was released by Nokia Nseries Studio and shot with an N93 to promote the phone.
2007: Acted in The Order of the Phoenix
In 2007, Gary Oldman reprised his role as Sirius Black in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
2008: Starred in The Dark Knight
In 2008, Gary Oldman reprised his role as James Gordon in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight. His performance was highly praised by critics.
2009: Starred in A Christmas Carol and The Unborn
In 2009, Gary Oldman co-starred in A Christmas Carol, playing three roles, and had a starring role in The Unborn.
2010: Co-starred in The Book of Eli and Red Riding Hood
In 2010, Gary Oldman co-starred in The Book of Eli with Denzel Washington and played a lead role in Red Riding Hood. He also voiced Lord Shen in Kung Fu Panda 2 and was nominated for an Annie Award.
2011: Directed Music Video
In 2011, Gary Oldman directed a music video for his then-wife Alex Eden's first single, "Kiss Me Like the Woman You Loved".
2011: Starred in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
In 2011, Gary Oldman received strong reviews and earned his first Academy Award nomination and a BAFTA Award nomination for his portrayal of George Smiley in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
2011: Appeared in The Deathly Hallows Part 2
In 2011, Gary Oldman reprised his role as Sirius Black in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.
2012: Played Floyd Banner in Lawless
In 2012, Gary Oldman played Floyd Banner in John Hillcoat's Lawless, alongside Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf, Guy Pearce and Jessica Chastain.
2012: Acted in The Dark Knight Rises
In 2012, Gary Oldman reprised his role as James Gordon in The Dark Knight Rises, the sequel to The Dark Knight.
2012: Named Hollywood's Highest-Grossing Actor.
In 2012, The Hollywood Reporter identified Gary Oldman as the highest-grossing actor in history, noting that his films had grossed over $4.1 billion in the United States and over $11 billion worldwide.
2013: Starring in David Bowie's "The Next Day" music video.
In 2013, Gary Oldman starred as a sleazy priest in the controversial religious-themed video for David Bowie's single "The Next Day".
2014: Starred in RoboCop and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
In 2014, Gary Oldman starred in RoboCop as Norton and in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes as one of the leads. He also faced criticism for comments regarding political correctness and antisemitism, later apologizing for them on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
2015: Book Deal for Blood Riders series.
In 2015, Gary Oldman and his manager, Douglas Urbanski, signed a deal with Simon & Schuster/Atria Publishing Group label Emily Bestler Books for a vampire book series called Blood Riders.
2015: Acted in Child 44 and Man Down
In 2015, Gary Oldman played the head of police in Child 44 and had a supporting role in Man Down.
2015: Voice Acting in Lego Dimensions.
In 2015, Gary Oldman voiced Lord Vortech, the main antagonist in the Lego Dimensions video game.
2016: Played a CIA chief in Criminal
In 2016, Gary Oldman played a CIA chief in the film Criminal, directed by Ariel Vromen.
2017: Portrayed Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour
In 2017, Gary Oldman played multiple film roles, including Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour, for which he received critical acclaim. His transformation involved significant makeup and the use of many Cuban cigars.
2017: Interview on Acting Immersion.
In a 2017 interview, Gary Oldman discussed his acting process, differentiating between immersion and impression and highlighting his dedication to thoroughly researching his roles.
2018: Voiced AI in Tau and starred in Hunter Killer
In 2018, Gary Oldman voiced an evil artificial intelligence in Netflix's Tau and starred in Hunter Killer alongside Gerard Butler.
2018: Won Academy Award for Darkest Hour
In 2018, Gary Oldman won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour. He also won a Golden Globe Award, Critics' Choice Movie Award, Screen Actors Guild Award, and BAFTA Award.
2019: Starred in Mary, The Courier, and The Laundromat
In 2019, Gary Oldman starred in Mary, The Courier, and appeared in The Laundromat as Jürgen Mossack.
2020: Starred as Herman J. Mankiewicz in Mank
In 2020, Gary Oldman starred as Herman J. Mankiewicz in David Fincher's Mank, a biographical drama about the writing of the script for Citizen Kane.
2021: Starred in Crisis and The Woman in the Window
In 2021, Gary Oldman starred opposite Armie Hammer in Crisis and in Joe Wright's The Woman in the Window, alongside Amy Adams.
November 2022: Hinted at Retirement
In November 2022, Gary Oldman hinted that he intended to retire from acting once the Apple TV+ series Slow Horses ended, marking his first lead role in a television series.
August 2023: Confirmed to Star in Parthenope
In August 2023, it was confirmed that Gary Oldman would star in Paolo Sorrentino's then-untitled film Parthenope, described as a "love letter to the city of Naples".
May 2024: Parthenope World Premiere at Cannes
In May 2024, the film Parthenope, in which Gary Oldman plays writer John Cheever, had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, earning a standing ovation but receiving overall negative critical reviews.
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