Gary Oldman Returns to Theater with Samuel Beckett
According to CinamaDrame News Agency, Gary Oldman, the veteran British actor, has returned to the stage of the Royal York Theatre after 46 years since his debut there. This time, he is starring in Samuel Beckett’s one-man play, “Krapp’s Last Tape.”
The 67-year-old actor is now a far cry from the young newcomer who was once told to give up acting and find another job.
A Career of Acclaim and Achievement
Over the past four decades, Oldman has steadily become one of the greatest actors of his generation. He is an artist with a remarkably versatile and energetic acting style, having garnered countless accolades, including an Oscar, three BAFTAs, and a Golden Globe.
Today, he is one of the highest-grossing actors in cinematic history (with over $11 billion in global box office sales). In Britain, he has also gained widespread popularity for his captivating portrayal of Jackson Lamb in the Apple TV+ spy series, “Slow Horses.”
Jackson Lamb, the surly and depressed head of a group of discarded agents, is a flawed, corrupt, cynical, and foul-mouthed character. This is precisely the kind of unconventional role that Oldman has masterfully cultivated throughout his career.
Will Smith, the creator and showrunner of the series, said about Oldman: “He’s an extraordinary actor. He can reveal a complex past just by narrowing his eyes or making a slight change in his posture. His portrayal of Lamb is an exploration of inner darkness.”
From Working-Class Hero to Hollywood Star
Often described as a “working-class hero,” Oldman was born in 1958 in the New Cross neighborhood of London. His father, a welder and former sailor, left the family when Gary was seven. Young Oldman initially was interested in music, but after seeing Malcolm McDowell on stage, he was drawn to acting.
While working odd jobs like porter and shoe salesman, he trained at the Greenwich Young People’s Theatre. After being rejected by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, he attended Rose Bruford College. He then performed in venues such as the Royal York Theatre, the Royal Court, and the Royal Shakespeare Company.
In cinema, he played his first role in the film “Remembrance” (1982) and gained recognition the following year with his portrayal of a neo-Nazi in Mike Leigh‘s television film “Meantime.” However, it was his role in the film “Sid and Nancy” (1986) that truly launched his fame. For this role, he lost a significant amount of weight and was hospitalized due to weakness.
Subsequently, his roles in films such as “The Firm” (1989) and “Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead” (1990) established him as a leading figure among the new generation of British actors.
In 1991, he entered Hollywood cinema with his role as Lee Harvey Oswald in the film “JFK,” earning him the moniker “Hollywood’s professional psychopath.” From Count Dracula in “Dracula” (1992) to the drug lord godfather in “True Romance” (1993) and the corrupt police officer in “Léon: The Professional” (1994), which features one of cinema’s most memorable anti-heroes.
Iconic Roles and Oscar Triumph
According to The Guardian, Gary Oldman once again came into the spotlight with his roles as Sirius Black in “Harry Potter” and Commissioner Jim Gordon in Christopher Nolan‘s “Batman” trilogy. His portrayal of retired spy George Smiley in the film “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” (2011) earned him his first Oscar nomination.
However, he finally won the award in 2018 for his performance as Winston Churchill in “Darkest Hour” – a role he had initially rejected several times until his wife persuaded him. For this role, he spent 200 hours in makeup, wore 14 pounds of silicone, and smoked $20,000 worth of Cuban cigars, which led to nicotine poisoning.
Oldman‘s lead role in the film “Mank” (2020) earned him his third Oscar nomination, but he confessed that in this role, without makeup, he confronted his true self and felt vulnerable.
Now, much like the character Krapp in Samuel Beckett‘s “Krapp’s Last Tape,” Gary Oldman confronts his past on stage every night, as if an old man is conversing with his younger self. And although his retirement may be near, he undoubtedly continues to shine.
