If asked about the most anticipated Oscar win, most people would immediately recall Leonardo DiCaprio’s long-awaited triumph, a moment years in the making. DiCaprio was frequently rumored to have been robbed of the coveted statuette, having delivered memorable performances in The Wolf of Wall Street, The Aviator, The Revenant, and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. After numerous nominations and missed chances, Leo finally received his Oscar for The Revenant at the age of 41.
However, there’s another renowned actor whose time for an Oscar win came much earlier but only materialized later. Gary Oldman, a veteran actor with multiple nominations, finally took home his first Academy Award at the age of 60 for portraying Winston Churchill in the biographical drama Darkest Hour (2017). Before his victory, Oldman had been nominated for his roles in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011), Pride (1997), and Sid and Nancy (1986), but had been passed over for the win each time.
In an interview about his iconic role as Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour (2017), Oldman reflected,
"It wasn’t just about winning an award. It was about the work, and feeling that after all these years, people were finally paying attention. It’s a testament to the work, the commitment, and to Churchill’s enduring impact on the world."
