Oldman candidly discusses his struggles and triumphs on his path to sobriety
Gary Oldman Turns a New Leaf: 28 Years of Sobriety Transforms Actor's Life and Career
In a candid interview with The Hollywood Reporter, award-winning actor Gary Oldman opened up about his struggle with alcohol and how his decision to quit drinking 28 years ago marked a pivotal change in both his personal life and career.
Oldman admitted that he, like many of his idols, struggled with alcohol. He looked up to heroes across literature, film, theater, sports, and music who were "all sorts of drunks and drug addicts," the stereotypical "tortured poets and artists" he wanted to emulate. One figure that stood out was Richard Burton, whose rumoured habit of drinking a whole bottle of vodka before performing Hamlet on stage, Oldman glamorized, believing it gave an "edge."
However, it wasn't the addictions of these figures that initially drew Oldman into drinking. Alcohol use was normalized socially, but it eventually spiraled out of control, becoming a severe problem for him. Oldman once didn't think he could go 28 seconds without a drink.
The actor acknowledged that without sobriety, he would likely be "dead or institutionalized." Since becoming sober in 1997, he has experienced immeasurable improvements: living "not in a fog" profoundly enhanced his personal well-being, and it also positively impacted his professional work. He credits sobriety for placing him in a "very good place" today and enabling sustained success, including recent acclaimed performances such as in the series Slow Horses.
Oldman's perspective on his drinking has changed over time, seeing it as an excuse and a self-deception. He shared that the decision to quit was not easy, but it was necessary for his survival and success. The actor's transformation represents a critical departure from a destructive cycle initially influenced by the myths surrounding his role models, leading to a healthier and more productive life and career.
Oldman's struggles with alcohol are not a new topic, but his recent interview highlights the impact sobriety has had on his life and career. His comments about his drinking were made in the interview published on August 18. The actor, who is an alum of the Harry Potter series, has been sober for nearly three decades and is grateful for the positive changes it has brought into his life.
