10 Notable Quotes by Gary Oldman
(Arranged by Carmichael Phillips)
Gary Oldman is an English actor and filmmaker who has earned widespread acclaim for his versatile performances across film, television, and stage. He was born on March 21, 1958, in London, England.
Oldman’s career spans several decades, during which he has portrayed a wide range of characters, from villains to historical figures to complex protagonists. Some of his most notable roles include:
- Sid Vicious in “Sid and Nancy” (1986) – Oldman garnered critical acclaim for his portrayal of the Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious, earning him recognition as one of Britain’s most talented actors.
- George Smiley in “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” (2011) – Oldman received widespread praise and his first Academy Award nomination for his role as the British intelligence officer George Smiley in this espionage thriller.
- Sirius Black in the “Harry Potter” film series (2004-2011) – Oldman portrayed the enigmatic and loyal godfather of Harry Potter, earning him a new generation of fans.
- Winston Churchill in “Darkest Hour” (2017) – Oldman won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his transformative performance as British Prime Minister Winston Churchill during World War II.
- Commissioner Gordon in “The Dark Knight” trilogy (2005-2012) – Oldman played the role of James Gordon, the steadfast police commissioner of Gotham City, in Christopher Nolan’s Batman films.
Here are a few notable quotes by Gary Oldman:
- “I think if you have to kiss or kill someone on screen then it’s a good idea to talk about it beforehand, just because it makes it easier to go where you need to go.”
- “I don’t think Hollywood knows what to do with me. I would imagine that when it comes to romantic comedies, my name would be pretty low down on the list.”
- “You always feel better when you’re playing someone strong, or good, or important – or even just someone who’s happy.”
- “Every villain is a hero in his own mind.”
- “The trick of screen acting is to hide the fact that you’re acting, don’t show it.”
- “People who know me, they know I have a sense of humor, I’m a bit of a joker, a bit of a clown really, and I would love someone to exploit that side of me and send me a script where I can just be silly.”
- “The thing is, playing different characters drains you in a different way. You use different muscles, different parts of your brain.”
- “I’ve always said that it’s interesting to watch devils cry when angels want to stab you in the back. I like that mixture.”
- “I don’t read reviews because by then it’s too late – whatever anyone says, the film won’t change. It’s been made.”
- “I’m not averse to playing the good guy. I’m just very good at bad guys.”