For every dedicated Potterhead, the Harry Potter franchise remains more than just a film series about the Boy Who Lived. In fact, the Wizarding World is more than often considered a mystical land where enchanting events and iconic moments come to life. One such incident, brimming with both humor and humility, involved Tom Felton and his first encounter with legendary Gary Oldman.
Imagine the scene – young Draco Malfoy, full of teenage ambition and nerves, on the set of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, crosses paths with none other than Sirius Black. But hold on, it’s not as simple as it sounds for Tom Felton surprisingly mistook Gary Oldman for a member of the cleaning staff.
Tom Felton Mistook Gary Oldman for a Janitor Upon Their First Meet
Finding his breakthrough at an early age, Tom Felton has since remained a cult classic icon following his role as Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter films. During his appearance spanning 8 movies, Felton reprised his role while sharing the screen with a few of the most accomplished English stars. However, not all of them were recognizable on set, in their casual wear.
Reflecting on his experience from the sets of Harry Potter, Tom Felton later published a memoir Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard. Therein, the actor mentioned one hilarious anecdote from the set of Alfonso Cuarón’s Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, when he first met with legendary star Gary Oldman.
According to a snippet of the memoir shared by CinemaBlend, Tom Felton explained how he had a mortifying encounter with Gary Oldman, especially after he mistook the actor for a janitor. Certainly, nothing could have prepared him for the embarrassment he felt during his first meeting with the legendary actor, who was barely recognizable in his old pair of jeans and a T-shirt.
There were certain actors on the set who you’d never really recognize out of character, even though they were absolute legends. I was on set one day when I saw another slightly scruffy older bloke wearing an old pair of jeans and a T-shirt. I’d occasionally seen him around, and I thought he was one of the cleaning staff.
What can I say? He just had that look… He seemed to be showing family and friends around. Bit weird, for one of the cleaning staff. I had a horrible feeling I might have made a faux pas, so when he’d left I asked someone, ‘Who is that?’
To Tom Felton, who was still new to the film industry, Gary Oldman’s appearance was unassuming, and he didn’t recognize him as the Oscar-winning actor he truly was. But later on, after repeatedly observing Oldman on the set, when Felton asked a colleague/crew about the one he mistook as a cleaning staff, he learned that it was none other than the Oscar winner who went on to play the role of Sirius Black.
Tom Felton Cringes in Retrospect Over His First Encounter with the Legend
But unfortunately, by the time Tom Felton learned about Gary Oldman, it was already too late, since in a moment of youthful ignorance, he had previously approached Oldman and complimented him on the polished floor. Felton was apparently so sure the man was a cleaner that he praised him on the cleanliness of the floors.
Sorry to say, but Tom Felton’s innocent praise had unfortunately earned him a confused frown from this alleged janitor. Gary Oldman had apparently looked at him confused without uttering a word. Thereafter, in his memoir, Felton recalled feeling a deep sense of embarrassment when he realized he had been speaking to one of the most esteemed actors of his generation.
I cringed with embarrassment when I realized I’d mistaken him for the cleaner. I wanted to apologize — not that he’d really have given a monkey’s — but in the end, I took the easier route of totally ignoring my mistake and pretending I’d known who he was all along.
In my defense, for such a big star, he was hardly starry at all. He was unassuming and down-to-earth, likely to be seen making a cup of tea for everyone, rather than playing the room.
Well, although this amusing anecdote from Tom Felton’s memoir made us all cringe more or less like him, the actor not recognizing Gary Oldman in person probably isn’t that shocking. Considering how Oldman is often known for transforming himself for a role, the legend was supposed to come off unrecognizable, based on his initial appearance as Sirius Black.
Harry Potter movies are available on Max.
