Gary Oldman, often celebrated for his intense and grisly film roles, from dark villains to complex historical figures, has long been synonymous with solemnity and dramatic depth. Audiences are accustomed to seeing him completely disappear into the characters he portrays. Yet even an actor of his stature once found unexpected joy in the lighter side of showbiz. Surprisingly, Oldman stepped into the world of sitcoms, embracing humor and camaraderie. Reflecting on his time on Friends, which he got thanks to Matt LeBlanc, he had only good thoughts to spare.

Who would have known that Gary Oldman, the master of brooding presence, could find himself hurling quips? Yet, his time on the aforementioned sitcom remains one of his most memorable undertakings, and he is nothing but proud of it.

Gary Oldman opens up about his Friends role

During a walk down memory lane with Entertainment Tonight, Gary Oldman opened up about his brief but memorable stint on Friends, sharing how he was called for the part thanks to Matt LeBlanc, who had previously worked with him in Lost in Space. LeBlanc, who portrayed an aspiring actor on the show, per Oldman, was given a brief about getting another actor to play his onscreen co-star. And as he got Oldman cast for the role, the latter revealed he enjoyed working on the project as a “spitting actor,” which lasted a week. At one point, Oldman even felt he could get used to the sitcom “lifestyle,” a sentiment he even shared with his manager at the time.

For those curious, Gary Oldman’s appearance in Friends came in the two-part season seven finale titled The One With Monica and Chandler’s Wedding (Episodes 23 and 24). In these episodes, Oldman portrayed Richard Crosby alongside Matt LeBlanc’s Joey, as mentioned earlier. Crosby notably did not spit because of a disability. He rather did so to enhance his enunciation as a performer, advice he also shared with Joey. Oldman’s performance on the show, notably, was not just for giggles; it ended up landing him a nomination from a prestigious award body.

Gary Oldman, who recently also spoke about missing out on his Oscar glory, proved versatility pays off, earning an Emmy nomination thanks to his hilarious Friends cameo.

The one where Gary Oldman got recognized by the Television Academy

Gary Oldman’s Emmy nomination came in 2001 in the Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series category. Despite the nomination that year, the honor went to Derek Jacobi for his performance on Frasier. Regardless of the missed opportunity, Oldman in 2025 must not regret it, as he is now a three-time Emmy-nominated artist, with one of his nods awaiting results. Oldman’s latter two nominations, for those unversed, are courtesy of his Apple TV+ spy drama, Slow Horses.

Gary Oldman’s brief stint on Friends gave fans a rare glimpse of his playful, comedic side. Even in such a short role, he left a mark, showing he could shine beyond his usual intense characters. Now, with consecutive Emmy nominations for Slow Horses, he continues to prove his range. From making audiences laugh in a sitcom to keeping them on edge in drama, Oldman’s talent remains limitless, reminding everyone that he can tackle any role with ease and skill.

Were you aware of Gary Oldman’s Friends role? Let us know in the comments.