Gary Oldman Says He Was ‘Typecast’ as the ‘Poster Boy for Rent-a-Villain,’ Which Was ‘Fun for a While’ But Eventually ‘Got a Little Old’: ‘I Just Put a Stop to it’
VarietyWednesday, June 18, 2025 at 3:49:50 AM
Gary Oldman, the acclaimed actor known for his intense and often villainous roles, recently opened up about how he grew weary of being Hollywood's go-to bad guy. In a candid chat on Variety's "Know Their Lines," he reflected on his time playing Dr. Zachary Smith in Lost in Space and other antagonistic parts, admitting that while it was fun at first, the typecasting eventually felt limiting. He decided to step away from those roles to pursue more varied projects.
Editor’s Note: Oldman's honesty sheds light on a common struggle in Hollywood—being pigeonholed into a specific type of role. For fans, it’s a peek behind the curtain at how even A-list actors navigate career fatigue and creative reinvention. It also hints at why we’ve seen him take on more nuanced characters in recent years (hello, Slow Horses). Basically, even iconic villains need a change of scenery sometimes.
— Curated via WP Now’s
