Harry Potter movies saved me as single parent raising 2 kids, says 'Sirius Black' Gary Oldman

In a candid revelation on The Drew Barrymore Show, Hollywood stalwart Gary Oldman, delved deeper into the Harry Potter films' impact on his personal life. The  actor shared the connection between his role as Harry Potter's godfather, Sirius Black, and a troubled period in his personal life. After the divorce from Donya Fiorentino in 2001, Oldman found himself oscillating from single parenthood, tackling the responsibilities of raising sons Alfie, Gulliver, and Charlie, along with stepson William. 

Gary Oldman shares about global dispersion of filming locations for tax reasons

Shedding on the challenges of maintaining a work-life balance amid the film industry's evolving dynamics, Oldman discussed the global dispersion of filming locations for tax reasons, while prioritizing his role as a parent. The Oscar-winner also starred as Gotham City Police Department Commissioner Jim Gordon in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy, a role for which he flew back and forth from Los Angeles 27 times so that he could be with his children during his off days.

Oldman shared during the interview, "At 42 years old, I woke up divorced and I had custody of these boys, and so that, in itself, was... That was hard because there was a shift in the industry where a lot of productions were being (filmed in), it was Hungary, Budapest, Prague, Australia, you know, all of these places."

Oldman expresses profound gratitude

Expressing profound gratitude for the role of Sirius Black, Oldman credited both the Harry Potter and Batman franchises for providing stability during the challenging phase  "Thank God for Harry Potter,"

He also revealed the details about striking   a equilibrium between professional commitments and family responsibilities. "I tell you, the two — Batman and Harry Potter — really they saved me because it meant that I could do the least amount of work for the most amount of money and then be home with the kids."

The Oscar-winning actor made his debut as Sirius Black in 2004's 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.' Oldman's revelations offer a sneak peak to the personal sacrifices that he willingly to prioritise his role as a dedicated parent, shedding light on the lesser known facts of the esteemed actor's journey.

(With IANS inputs)