Gary Oldman is getting real about his past, and it includes an emotional apology to Demi Moore for how he behaved on the set of their 1995 film The Scarlet Letter.
Now 67, Oldman recently opened up about his struggles with alcohol at the time and how it affected his professionalism, and his co-star.
Speaking to Radio Times, Oldman admitted that during the shoot, he had “intermittent bouts of boozing,” especially during lunch breaks. One day in particular, he drank too much before a major scene, powered through the performance, and somehow pulled it off. But internally, he knew he’d crossed a line. The next day, filled with regret, he told Demi, “I’m so sorry; you must hate me.” Her response? “I don’t hate you. It’s OK. I’m just disappointed.”
Oldman called that the worst part, disappointing someone. He wasn’t violent or belligerent, just unreliable, and it left a mark. He said that moment was one of many wake-up calls that pushed him toward sobriety. Oldman, who was arrested for drunk driving in 1991 and entered rehab in 1994, has now been sober for 27 years.
Reflecting on Demi Moore now, he has nothing but love and respect. He recently praised her comeback, especially for her powerful performance in The Substance, which won her both a Golden Globe and a SAG Award. Speaking to the New York Post, Oldman said, “I couldn’t be happier for her in this moment with this film and this role… she’s loving it and really riding the wave.”
He also shared that the two have reconnected after years of no contact. Seeing her again reminded him how special she is. “She is such a wonderful person, Demi. She really is very special,” he said.
It’s not every day you hear a major actor reflect so openly on his past mistakes and make amends, especially decades later. But Oldman’s honesty shows just how far he’s come, and how meaningful it is to right a wrong, even after all this time.
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