Daniel Day-Lewis | Biography, Movies, & Facts | Britannica

Daniel Day-Lewis | Biography, Movies, & Facts

Daniel Day-Lewis, a British actor born on April 29, 1957, in London, is celebrated for his intense on-screen presence and meticulous preparation for roles. He is renowned for winning Academy Awards for his performances in My Left Foot (1989), There Will Be Blood (2007), and Lincoln (2012).

Early Life and Background

Day-Lewis was the second child of Cecil Day-Lewis, a leading British poet of the 1930s, and actress Jill Balcon. He is also the grandson of Sir Michael Balcon, a notable motion-picture producer. He began acting at Bedales School in Petersfield, England, landing a small role at age 13 in the film Sunday Bloody Sunday (1971).

Career Development

He honed his craft with the Bristol Old Vic and Royal Shakespeare theatrical companies before taking on his first adult roles in Gandhi (1982) and The Bounty (1984). His versatility emerged in 1985 with roles such as a gay hooligan in My Beautiful Laundrette and a reserved Edwardian Englishman in A Room with a View, adaptations that earned him international acclaim.

Notable Performances

Daniel Day-Lewis is "known for his on-screen intensity and exhaustive preparation for roles."

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Summary: Daniel Day-Lewis stands out as an intensely dedicated actor acclaimed for his transformative roles and thorough character immersion.

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Britannica Britannica — 2025-11-05