Daniel Day-Lewis | Biography, Movies, & Facts
Daniel Day-Lewis, born on April 29, 1957, in London, England, is a British actor renowned for his intense on-screen presence and meticulous preparation for 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, as well as the grandson of film producer Sir Michael Balcon. Day-Lewis began acting at Bedales, a liberal school in Petersfield, England, and at the age of 13 secured a small role in the film Sunday Bloody Sunday (1971).
Theatrical and Film Career
He performed with the Bristol Old Vic and Royal Shakespeare companies before gaining attention with his adult film roles in Gandhi (1982) and The Bounty (1984).
Breakthrough Roles and Acclaim
- Displayed remarkable versatility by playing a gay hooligan in My Beautiful Laundrette (1985)
- Portrayed a reserved Edwardian Englishman in the adaptation of E.M. Forster’s A Room with a View (1985)
- Received international recognition for his role as an adulterous surgeon in The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988)
Academy Award-Winning Performances
He earned Academy Awards for his performances in:
- My Left Foot (1989)
- There Will Be Blood (2007)
- Lincoln (2012)
Notable Films
- My Beautiful Laundrette (1985)
- Gangs of New York (2002)
Daniel Day-Lewis is known for his "on-screen intensity and exhaustive preparation for roles."
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Summary: Daniel Day-Lewis is a distinguished British actor famed for his dedicated role preparation and critically acclaimed performances spanning diverse characters and eras.