As a drama student I got into Thirties and Forties suits. Gary Oldman More Quotes by Gary Oldman More Quotes From Gary Oldman It's becoming increasingly harder and harder; there's no such thing as independent film anymore. There aren't any, they don't exist. In the old days you could go and get a certain amount of the budget with foreign sales, now everybody wants a marketable angle. Gary Oldman independent becoming want On set I keep myself to myself; I'd rather the director speak up. I'm not gonna direct a younger actor. I think the power of example works best, actually. Gary Oldman example directors thinking I grew up in Deptford in south London, and at that time I used to wear toppers, loon pants and tonic suits from shops like Take 6 and Topman. I was a bit of a soul boy, but I had a very eclectic taste in music - I was into James Brown and Bowie; and I was the only kid in the neighbourhood who would also be listening to Chopin. Gary Oldman soul boys kids I don't go to premieres. I don't go to parties. I don't covet the Oscar. I don't want any of that. I don't go out. I just have dinner at home every night with my kids. Being famous, that's a whole other career. And I haven't got any energy for it. Gary Oldman party home kids By the way, the Harry Potter series is literature, in spite of what some people might say. The way J.K. Rowling worked that world out is quite something. Gary Oldman might people way I know I'm pretty, but I ain't as pretty as a couple of titties. Gary Oldman true-romance romance couple The building of America has had its fair share of mistakes, but it's a constitution that's the jewel of democracy, the envy of many, and it's the most generous nation in the world. Gary Oldman jewels mistake america The great thing about having been in a lot of make-up, and stuff like that, is that when you're working with someone who's in it, and you've been there and done it, but you're not in it anymore, you feel so good. Gary Oldman great-things done stuff There are roles that you chase sometimes. Gary Oldman sometimes I didn't do drugs. It wasn't my thing. But the drink was terrible. Today when I look back, it's like I was another person. You could call it a coping mechanism, but that would be an excuse. I just drank too much. Gary Oldman coping-mechanisms drug would-be I drank for about 25 years getting over the loss of my father and I took the anger out on myself. I did a good job at beating myself up at sometimes. I don't drink anymore but my alcoholic head occasionally says different. 'Nil By Mouth' was a love letter to my father because I needed to resolve some issues in order to be able to forgive him. Gary Oldman anger jobs father If one could have a wish, or an alternative life, I would've liked to have been John Lennon. Gary Oldman lennon alternatives wish And costume is so important for an actor. It absolutely helps to get into character; it's the closest thing to you, it touches you. Some actors like to go into make-up and then put their clothes on, but I like to dress first; that's my routine. Gary Oldman clothes important character I'm almost incapable of lying. I'd be a terrible spy. Gary Oldman spy terrible lying You always hope that the cloak of inspiration will fall, and you'll be O.K. Gary Oldman cloaks inspiration fall Growing up in a particular neighborhood, growing up in a working-class family, not having much money, all of those things fire you and can give you an edge, can give you an anger. Gary Oldman growing-up anger fire I wasn't ever a huge fan of comics. Just not one of those kids, you know? Gary Oldman comic fans kids It's a shame about California, and particularly about L.A., where they've demolished so many landmarks. It's a bit of a disease there, where if anything is over 30 years old, they sort of knock it down and replace it. It's a strange town, it's this sprawling suburb, and then there's a city, the old town. Gary Oldman california cities years Rather like Batman, I embody the themes of the movie which are the values of family, courage and compassion and a sense of right and wrong, good and bad and justice. Gary Oldman compassion courage justice Well, I needed the work - that's the honest answer. I haven't worked for a while, a couple of years. So I thought it would be nice to get back to work and earn some money. Gary Oldman nice couple years