Gary Oldman credits the Harry Potter movies with “saving” him as a single parent raising two children after his divorce. Making his debut as Sirius Black in 2004’s Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Oldman reprised the role for two more films before the character’s demise in 2007’s Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

These movies not only impacted his career but also provided stability during a challenging time in his personal life. Oldman shared on The Drew Barrymore Show how these roles allowed him to balance work and family, stating, “Thank God for Harry Potter…it meant that I could do the least amount of work for the most amount of money and then be home with the kids.”

Additionally, his involvement in the franchise introduced him to a new generation of fans and opened doors to roles in family-friendly films like A Christmas Carol and Kung Fu Panda 2. Following his success in Harry Potter, Oldman joined another major franchise, Christopher Nolan’s Batman series, where he portrayed Jim Gordon. Despite his busy schedule, Oldman prioritized spending time with his children, often flying back and forth between sets. Thanks to his roles in Harry Potter and The Dark Knight trilogy, Oldman entered a new phase of his career, marked by critical acclaim and award nominations, including an Oscar win for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in Mank.