Gary Oldman Names His Most Memorable Screen Partner

Few actors have enjoyed a career as enduring and varied as Gary Oldman’s. With a filmography stretching from gritty British dramas to major Hollywood franchises, Oldman has worked alongside a remarkable array of talent. While many might associate him with roles such as Sirius Black or Commissioner Gordon, his journey began in the world of independent British cinema, where he first made his mark in films like Sid & Nancy and Prick Up Your Ears.

Oldman’s reputation among his peers is built on both his versatility and his reliability. Unlike some leading men who are highly selective, he has embraced a wide spectrum of roles, resulting in an extensive and eclectic body of work. This openness has allowed him to collaborate with actors from different generations and backgrounds, earning him a reputation as a consummate professional who is easy to work with. Yet, even with such a broad range of colleagues, there is one co-star who stands out for Oldman above the rest.

Oldman’s Unexpected Favourite

In a rather candid admission, Oldman once revealed that his favourite collaborator was none other than Kevin Bacon. He described Bacon as

“fun”

and noted appreciatively that

“he knew his lines”

. It’s a pairing that might surprise some, but Bacon’s own career is similarly prolific, to the extent that the game “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon” was inspired by his extensive list of credits. Despite both actors launching their careers in the early 1980s and maintaining a steady presence on screen ever since, their paths have only crossed twice in feature films.

Their first joint venture, Criminal Law, arrived at a pivotal moment for both. Bacon, already known for his role in Footloose, was eager to take on more challenging material. In this legal thriller, he played a troubled member of a wealthy family facing serious accusations, while Oldman, relatively new to American audiences at the time, portrayed the hard-drinking defence barrister tasked with his case. Although the film itself received a mixed response, it marked the beginning of a professional rapport between the two actors.

Reuniting for a Grittier Challenge

Their second collaboration came with Murder in the First, a more ambitious courtroom drama loosely inspired by real events. Here, Bacon took on the role of a deeply sympathetic defendant, while Oldman delivered a memorable turn as the ruthless warden of Alcatraz. Christian Slater played the lawyer in this instance, but Oldman’s presence as the antagonist was hard to ignore. The film may not have achieved blockbuster status, but it did earn Bacon a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the SAG Awards, a testament to the strength of his performance.

It’s somewhat surprising, given the breadth of Bacon’s career and the critical acclaim he has received, that he has yet to be recognised with an Oscar nomination. Oldman himself waited many years before finally receiving his own Academy Award, so perhaps there is still time for Bacon to receive similar recognition.

Two Careers, Many Connections

Both Oldman and Bacon have built careers defined by their willingness to take risks and their commitment to their craft. Their shared screen time may be limited, but the mutual respect between them is clear. Oldman’s choice of Bacon as his favourite co-star is a nod to the value of professionalism and camaraderie on set—qualities that, in the end, leave a lasting impression long after the cameras stop rolling.