Daniel Day-Lewis, a name synonymous with method acting and cinematic brilliance, has left an indelible mark on the world of cinema. Known for his intense commitment to his roles and his ability to fully immerse himself in his characters, Day-Lewis has earned the title of the “World’s Greatest Actor” by TIME magazine.
This blog post aims to delve into the life and career of this extraordinary actor, exploring his early life, personal relationships, rise to stardom, career highlights, and some intriguing facts about him.
Early life and Upbringing
Born on April 29, 1957, in Kensington, London, Daniel Michael Blake Day-Lewis was raised in an artistic household. His father, Cecil Day-Lewis, was a renowned poet and the British Poet Laureate, while his mother, Jill Balcon, was a successful actress. Day-Lewis studied at Sevenoaks School in Kent and later at Bedales in Petersfield, Hampshire.
He developed an interest in acting during his time at Bedales and subsequently joined the Bristol Old Vic School, where he honed his acting skills.
Personal Life – Age, Zodiac Sign
| Personal Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Daniel Michael Blake Day-Lewis |
| Nickname | DDL |
| Alternative Names(s) (also known as) | Sir Daniel Day-Lewis |
| Date of Birth | 29 April 1957 |
| Age (as of 2024) | 67 |
| Religion | Agnostic |
| Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
| Nationality | British and Irish |
| Birthplace | London, England |
| Hometown | Greenwich, London |
| Current Address | County Wicklow, Ireland |
| Education Qualification | Bristol Old Vic Theatre School |
| Hobbies and Interests | Shoemaking, woodworking, painting, fishing |
| Languages Known | English, French, Italian |
| Social Media Profiles link (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) | Facebook , Instagram |
| Wikipedia Profile link | Daniel Day-Lewis |
| IMDb Profile link | Daniel Day-Lewis |
| Website link | N/A |
Physical Appearance – Height, Weight, Body Measurements
| Physical Stats | Information |
|---|---|
| Body Type | Slim |
| Body Measurements (Chest – Waist – Hips) | 40-32-35 inches |
| Height in feet, inches, cm | 6’1’’, 185.42 cm |
| Weight in lbs, kg | 174 lbs, 79 kg |
| Chest | 40 inches |
| Waist | 32 inches |
| Biceps | 15 inches |
| Eye Colour | Green |
| Hair Colour | Salt and Pepper |
| Hairstyle | Short and Wavy |
| Distinctive Features | High Cheekbones, Cleft Chin |
| Tattoos | N/A |
Family and Relationships – Girlfriend/Wife, Affairs
Day-Lewis is known for being protective of his private life. He was in a relationship with French actress Isabelle Adjani that lasted six years. After their split, Day-Lewis married writer and director Rebecca Miller in 1996.
The couple has two sons, Ronan and Cashel Blake. Day-Lewis also has a son, Gabriel-Kane Day-Lewis, from his relationship with Adjani.
| Relationships Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse – Wife | Rebecca Miller |
| Father | Cecil Day-Lewis |
| Mother | Jill Balcon |
| Children | Gabriel-Kane Day-Lewis, Ronan Cal Day-Lewis, Cashel Blake Day-Lewis |
| Siblings | Tamasin Day-Lewis |
| Affairs – Girlfriend(s) | Isabelle Adjani, Julia Roberts, Winona Ryder |
| Significant Relationships | Arthur Miller, Inge Morath |
Rise to Stardom
Day-Lewis made his acting debut in the film ‘Sunday Bloody Sunday’ at the age of 14. However, it was his roles in ‘My Beautiful Laundrette’ and ‘A Room with a View’, both released in 1985, that brought him public recognition. His portrayal of a gay punk in Thatcher-era London in ‘My Beautiful Laundrette’ garnered critical acclaim.
Daniel Day-Lewis – Debut Film – Sunday Bloody Sunday (1971)
Daniel Day-Lewis – Successful Film – My Left Foot (1989)
Career , Awards, and Achievements
Day-Lewis’s career is marked by numerous accolades, including three Academy Awards, four BAFTA Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards. He is the only male actor to have won three Academy Awards for Best Actor, for his performances in ‘My Left Foot’ (1989), ‘There Will Be Blood’ (2007), and ‘Lincoln’ (2012).
His other Oscar-nominated roles were in ‘In the Name of the Father’ (1993), ‘Gangs of New York’ (2002), and ‘Phantom Thread’ (2017).
| Career Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Profession(s) | Actor, retired |
| Debut Film | Sunday Bloody Sunday (1971) |
| Notable Roles | Christy Brown, Daniel Plainview, Abraham Lincoln, Reynolds Woodcock |
| Recent Films – New Movies | Phantom Thread (2017) |
| Upcoming Films | None, announced retirement in 2017 |
| Popular Television Series | None, mainly focused on film |
| Awards and Achievements | Three Academy Awards, four BAFTA Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, knighthood for services to drama |
| Endorsements/Brand Collaborations | None, avoided commercial endorsements |
| Philanthropy/Charity Work | Supported causes such as AIDS research, environmental protection, human rights, and education |
| Professional Associations | British Academy of Film and Television Arts, Screen Actors Guild, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences |
| Training and Education | Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, National Youth Theatre |
| Production Company | None, worked with various directors and studios |
| Box Office Success – Hit Movies | Lincoln (2012), There Will Be Blood (2007), Gangs of New York (2002), The Last of the Mohicans (1992) |
| Critical Acclaim Movies | Phantom Thread (2017), Lincoln (2012), There Will Be Blood (2007), My Left Foot (1989) |
Assets and Finances – Net Worth
| Financial Profile | Information |
|---|---|
| Net Worth in Dollars | $70 million |
| Per Movie Charges in Dollars | $8 million |
| Per Endorsement Charges in Dollars | $50-60 million |
| Sponsorship Deals | N/A |
| Business Ventures | N/A |
| Investments | Real estate, woodworking |
| Real Estate Holdings | Homes in New York City and Ireland |
| Luxury Items/Properties Owned | Vintage cars, bespoke shoes |
| Cars Collection | Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Tesla, Ferrari |
Favorite Things, Likes and Dislikes
| Favorite Things | Information |
|---|---|
| Favorite Actor | Charles Laughton |
| Favorite Actress | Rebecca Miller |
| Favorite Film | Kes |
| Favorite Music Bands | N/A |
| Favorite Sport | Football |
| Favorite Books | N/A |
| Favorite Colour | Black, Green |
| Favorite Food | Phantom Thread |
| Things s/he like | Woodworking, acting, fishing |
| Things s/he dislike | Wankery, being out of character, icy water |
Top 5 Best Films – Daniel Day-Lewis
| Film Name | Year of Release | Character Played |
|---|---|---|
| My Left Foot | 1989 | Christy Brown |
| There Will Be Blood | 2007 | Daniel Plainview |
| Lincoln | 2012 | Abraham Lincoln |
| Phantom Thread | 2017 | Reynolds Woodcock |
| In the Name of the Father | 1993 | Gerry Conlon |
Controversies – Daniel Day-Lewis
- For ‘The Last of the Mohicans’, Day-Lewis lived in the woods of North Carolina for a month, learning to hunt and skin animals.
- In preparation for ‘In the Name of the Father’, Day-Lewis spent three days in solitary confinement without any water.
- For ‘My Left Foot’, Day-Lewis stayed in character off-camera and even had the crew feed him.
- Day-Lewis learned Czech for ‘The Unbearable Lightness of Being’.
- Day-Lewis’s decision to retire from acting in 2017 was met with mixed reactions.
Interesting Facts – Daniel Day-Lewis
- Day-Lewis is a skilled carpenter and has built his own furniture.
- He is a vegetarian.
- Day-Lewis is a smoker and also drinks alcohol.
- He holds British, Irish, and dual citizenship with the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom.
- Day-Lewis is known for his ability to transform physically for his roles.
- He has a large personal library and is an avid reader.
In conclusion, Daniel Day-Lewis’s dedication to his craft, his ability to immerse himself in his characters, and his commitment to method acting have made him one of the most respected and celebrated actors in the history of cinema. His legacy continues to inspire actors worldwide.
