Gary Oldman On How Batman And Harry Potter "Saved" Him

Oscar-winning actor Gary Oldman has said the major movie franchises he starred in--Batman and Harry Potter--"saved" him and his home life. Appearing on The Drew Barrymore Show (below), Oldman said he turned down many opportunities to star in movies because they filmed in far-away places like Prague, Australia, and Budapest because he wanted to spend more time with his sons.

Then, at age 46, he was cast as Sirius Black in the Harry Potter movie series, and then he landed another huge role a few years later as Commissioner Gordon in Christopher Nolan's Batman series. These movies required less travel and paid better, allowing Oldman the time and resources to raise his children.

"Thank God for Harry Potter," Oldman said (via Variety). "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."

Oldman said he flew back and forth between his home in Los Angeles and the set in London so he could raise his sons as much as he could.

"When we did the first Batman..London doubled for Gotham. I did 27 round trips of flying back from LA," Oldman said. "I'd fly in for a day. I'd do a shoot a day. To Chris Nolan's credit.. he stayed on schedule. I would go home for three days. Come back for two. Go home for a weekend. Come back for a day… otherwise, I just felt my kids are being brought up by a nanny."

Oldman was married to Donya Fiorentino from 1997-2001 and couple had two sons before divorce proceedings that included Fiorentino accusing Oldman of domestic assault. Oldman won custody of their sons after a judge dismissed Fiorentino's claims.