The Surprising Movie That Gary Oldman Calls His Best Film Role

While on the press circuit for his critically acclaimed appearance in the 2011 film "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," a fan asked Gary Oldman at the AFI European Union Film Showcase what his personal favorite role from his career was. Oldman hesitated at first but had an answer in mind replying, "I would have to say Oswald," before adding as an aside, "He didn't do it." As the crowd laughed, Oldman elaborated as to why he enjoyed playing Lee Harvey Oswald in Oliver Stone's 1991 film "JFK," explaining, "That was an exceptional experience because there was very little of Oswald on the page." Instead of adapting the role to what was in the script, the famed director instead asked Oldman to come up with his own interpretation of who Oswald really was, and then portray that in the film.

"Oliver Stone, he gave me some money, and some airline tickets and said, 'You know, just go off and find out who this guy was,'" Oldman said. "And that's a personal favorite." While Oldman's portrayal of Oswald may not be his most famous, it seems that the actor found something to enjoy in crafting the character and in bringing the historic figure to life in Stone's controversial epic.