Daniel Day-Lewis: Biography and Career
Daniel Day-Lewis, born April 29, 1957, in London, England, is a British actor renowned for his intense performances and thorough preparation for his roles.
Early Life and Background
He is the second child of Cecil Day-Lewis, a leading British poet of the 1930s, and actress Jill Balcon, and the grandson of film producer Sir Michael Balcon. Day-Lewis began acting at Bedales, a progressive school in Petersfield, England, and at age 13 had a small role in the film Sunday Bloody Sunday (1971).
Theatrical Foundations and Early Film Work
He performed with the Bristol Old Vic and Royal Shakespeare companies before securing his first adult film roles in Gandhi (1982) and The Bounty (1984).
Breakthrough and Notable Roles
- In 1985, Day-Lewis exhibited his range by playing a gay hooligan in My Beautiful Laundrette and a reserved Edwardian Englishman in A Room with a View, an adaptation of E.M. Forster’s novel.
- His role as an adulterous surgeon in The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988) earned further international recognition.
- He won Academy Awards for his performances in My Left Foot (1989), There Will Be Blood (2007), and Lincoln (2012).
- Other significant films include Gangs of New York (2002).
Daniel Day-Lewis is known for his on-screen intensity and exhaustive preparation for every role.
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Author’s Summary
Daniel Day-Lewis stands out as a British actor celebrated for his deep commitment to his craft and a wide range of acclaimed performances.