David Bowie passed away a decade ago today, on January 10, 2016. Prior to his death, while battling cancer, he had a final conversation with close friend Gary Oldman. They often connected via Skype during Bowie’s illness, with the music icon residing in New York at the time. Oldman and Bowie would chat weekly on video calls, where Bowie updated the actor on his health status.
Oldman revealed details of their last chat before Bowie succumbed to liver cancer, describing it as fitting for a rockstar. He recounted Bowie’s final words as uniquely characteristic of him. During their last Skype call, Bowie struggled to end the conversation, humorously telling Oldman to “go away” before disconnecting.
Following Bowie’s death just after releasing his final album, Blackstar, Oldman shared insights into Bowie’s dignified handling of his cancer diagnosis. Bowie informed Oldman of his condition via email, blending dark humor with sweetness by mentioning his cheekbones along with the news.
Oldman, a longtime admirer of Bowie, eventually became close friends with the legendary musician after meeting him backstage at a play. A memorable moment for Oldman was witnessing Bowie casually playing and singing Space Oddity on a yacht, a scene that solidified his realization of being friends with the iconic rockstar.
The enduring awe of Bowie’s persona persisted in Oldman even after years of friendship, showcasing the profound impact Bowie had on those around him.