- Pulled out of STAR WARS: REVENGE OF THE SITH because it was made outside the Screen Actor's Guild rules. (September 2004)
- Is facing a massive tax bill in his adopted home of America, after court papers were filed in Los Angeles claiming he owes $288,000. (May 22, 2004)
- Oldman has emerged victorious from a custody battle with ex-wife Donya Fiorentino over their two sons Gulliver, 5, and Charlie, 4. (July 29, 2003)
- As if Hogwarts wasn't stuffed to its magical rafters with the cream of British acting talent already, it looks mighty like English rent-a-baddie par excellence Gary Oldman will be joining HARRY POTTER 3 in the shape-shifting form of wizard Sirius Black -- confirmed to be in talks to play the canny animagus himself, Gary Oldman is certainly the perfect adversary for those pesky Dementors, fully capable of giving them the slip and escaping the rather limiting environs of Azkaban with just a few of his well-honed psychotic twitches. (January 9, 2003)
- Whether playing a punk rocker, an assassin, a war vet, or a ghoul, Oldman has consistently amazed viewers with his ability to completely disappear into his roles.
- In AIR FORCE ONE (1997) when Valera gives his thumbprint for a background check near the beginning of the film, the date of birth that comes up among his info (3/21/58) is his real birthday.
- In DRACULA (1992) Prince Vlad's scream after he drives his sword into the cross is not the voice of Oldman. Lux Interior, lead singer of punk band The Cramps, recorded the scream and it was dubbed in.
- In most of his shots in THE FIFTH ELEMENT (1997), there is a circle around his head. In fact, a circle in the middle of the frame is a near-constant motif in this film. Bruce Willis, on the other hand, is more often framed by a rectangle or doorway behind him.
- At one point in LOST IN SPACE (1998), he is told, You *are* a monster. His characters have been told similar things in THE FIFTH ELEMENT (1997) and AIR FORCE ONE (1997).
- Had to lose weight to play Sid Vicious in in SID AND NANCY (1986), but he lost so much that he ended up in a hospital.
- He asks Mathilda's Father if he like Beethoven before he goes on his killing spree in LÉON (1994). Gary Oldman himself ends up portraying Ludwig van Beethoven in Immortal Beloved the same year.
- Playing Mason Verger in HANNIBAL (2001), he originally wanted to share star billing alongside Anthony Hopkins and Julianne Moore. When the producers denied him this, he declined to have any billing at all and, in the original theatrical release, remained uncredited at the film's opening and closing credits. In the VHS & DVD releases, however, his name has been added to the credits.
- (IMMORTAL BELOVED (1994): Starring as Beethoven, he had just that year starred in LÉON (1994), a film in which his character presents a monologue on the power of Beethoven's music.
- Various Stanley Kubrick references: Milk, as in A CLOCKWORK ORANGE (1971). His line I don't have time for this Mickey Mouse shit! is similar to Sgt. Hartman's line and the many references to Mickey Mouse in FULL METAL JACKET (1987). The shot which follows the movement of the axe when Leon is smashing in the wall is similar to the same type of shot in THE SHINING (1981) Leon dresses as John Wayne, who is mentioned many times by Private Joker in FULL METAL JACKET (1987)
- Was nominated for Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1999 for LOST IN SPACE.
- Sometimes Credited As: Maurice Escargot
- Trade mark: characters are usually borderline psychotics.
- Known for playing a wide variety of roles that often requires a variety of different accents.
- Considered a career in music.
- Was arrested for drunk driving in L.A. and released on bail the next morning. His passenger in the car was pal, Kiefer Sutherland. (8 August 1991)
- His library includes essays on Bertold Brecht, poetry by Roger McGough, a biography of Montgomery Clift, The Elizabethan World Picture, all things Shakespeare, and Jane Austen.
- Has used a different speaking voice (i.e. accent) in practically every movie he's ever been in.
- He and HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN co-star Timothy Spall have both played the character of Rosencrantz; Spall in Kenneth Branagh's HAMLET, Oldman in ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD.
- Was paid $1,000,000 for JESUS (1999) (TV)
- Was paid $5,000,000 for LOST IN SPACE (1998)
- Has appeared in a Guns-N-Roses music video.
- Sang I Wanna Be Your Dog and Frank Sinatra's My Way on the sountrack to SID AND NANCY.
- His singing voice can also be heard in the songs You've Been Around and Stamford Hill on guitarist Reeves Gabrels' release The Sacred Squall of Now.
- Artist Julian Schnabel (the director of Basquiat) has a CD out entitled Every Silver Lining Has A Cloud. Gary sings on this CD and there is also a track called Gary's Song.
- Met Donya Fiorentino at alcoholic rehabilitation.
- Nil By Mouth, which marked his writing and directing debut, is semi-authobiographical
- Early in the film THE FIFTH ELEMENT, Oldman's character quotes Nietzsche: What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. Oldman's costar, Bruce Willis, released a record album with that title in the 80's.
- Nominated for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series at Emmy Awards for Friends (2001)
- Nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role at Screen Actors Guild Awards for THE CONTENDER (2001)
- Nominated for Best Fight at MTV Movie Awards for AIR FORCE ONE (1998) - shared with Harrison Ford
- Nominated for Best Villain at MTV Movie Awards for AIR FORCE ONE (1998)
- Nominated for Best Kiss at MTV Movie Awards for DRACULA (1993) - shared with Winona Ryder
- Nominated for Best Actor at BAFTA Awards for PRICK UP YOUR EARS (1988)
Quotes- On acting: "This is what acting is for Gary. It takes time and requires solitude. There is a certain process he can do only in private. Things work themselves out just as he's falling asleep. Or in his car. He talks to himself as he drives along, going over stuff. What he is waiting for he calls The Cloak; the cloak of inspiration. It's when the process kicks in. One moment you are looking for the character, the next you ARE the character. You know what they're thinking because you know what YOU'RE thinking. The Cloak. Sometimes it can fall early, sometimes it can fall late. You always wonder if the next time it'll fall at all."
- "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."
- "We're given a code to live our lives by: we don't always follow it but it's still there."
- "When I cry in a movie, they're my tears ... If you're stirring up emotions inside of you all day, it affects your mood. You come home and it's not easy to have a beer, put your feet up and watch TV. It can wear you out. It's a nightmare on relationships."
Awards- Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards: Alan J. Pakula Award, THE CONTENDER (2001)
- BAFTA Awards: Alexander Korda Award for Best British Film, NIL BY MOUTH (1998)
- BAFTA Awards: Best Screenplay - Original, NIL BY MOUTH (1998)
- Empire Awards: Best Debut, NIL BY MOUTH (1998)
- Edinburgh International Film Festival: Channel 4 Director's Award, NIL BY MOUTH (1997)
- CableACE Award: Actor in a Dramatic Series, FALLEN ANGELS: DEAD END FOR DELIA (1993)
- Saturn Award: Best Actor, DRACULA (1993)
- London Critics Circle Film Awards: Actor of the Year, PRICK UP YOUR EARS (1988)
- Evening Standard British Film Awards: Most Promising Newcomer, SID AND NANCY (1987)
- London Evening Standard Award: Most Promising Film Newcomer, SID AND NANCY (1986)
- London Critics Circle Film Award: Best Actor, THE POPE'S WEDDING (1985)
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