Early Life and Education of Daniel Day-Lewis: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Daniel Day-Lewis. A timeline of key moments.

Sir Daniel Day-Lewis is a highly acclaimed English actor, widely considered one of the greatest in film history. He has received numerous prestigious awards, including three Academy Awards, four BAFTA Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards. In 2014, he was knighted for his contributions to drama. Known for his intense method acting, Day-Lewis immerses himself deeply in his roles, often taking extended breaks between films. He is renowned for his selective and meticulous approach to choosing projects.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1904: Cecil Day-Lewis's birth

In 1904, Cecil Day-Lewis, Daniel Day-Lewis's father, was born.

1925: Jill Balcon's Birth

In 1925, Jill Balcon, Daniel Day-Lewis's mother, was born.

1953: Tamasin Day-Lewis's Birth

In 1953, Tamasin Day-Lewis, Daniel Day-Lewis's older sister, was born.

April 1957: Born in Kensington, London

In April 1957, Daniel Michael Blake Day-Lewis was born in Kensington, London, the son of poet Cecil Day-Lewis and actress Jill Balcon.

April 1957: Daniel Day-Lewis Born

In April 1957, Daniel Michael Blake Day-Lewis was born. He is an English actor recognized as one of the greatest in cinema history.

1968: Sent to Sevenoaks School

In 1968, Daniel Day-Lewis's parents sent him to Sevenoaks School in Kent as a boarder due to his wild behavior.

1972: Family Lived at Lemmons

For a few weeks in 1972, the Day-Lewis family stayed at Lemmons, the home of Kingsley Amis and Elizabeth Jane Howard, as his father battled pancreatic cancer.

1972: Death of Cecil Day-Lewis

In 1972, Cecil Day-Lewis, Daniel Day-Lewis's father, passed away.

1975: Left Bedales and Career Choice

By 1975, Day-Lewis left Bedales and needed to make a career choice, eventually attending the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

1993: Dual Citizenship

In 1993, Daniel Day-Lewis obtained dual British and Irish citizenship.

1995: Birth of Son with Isabelle Adjani

In 1995, Daniel Day-Lewis and French actress Isabelle Adjani's son was born in New York City, a few months after their relationship ended. They had been in a relationship that lasted six years.

November 1996: Marriage to Rebecca Miller

In November 1996, specifically on November 13, Daniel Day-Lewis married Rebecca Miller after meeting her while working on the film version of "The Crucible" at her father Arthur Miller's home.

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1997: Establishment of Annamoe Home

In 1997, Daniel Day-Lewis established his home in Annamoe, Ireland, and has maintained it since then. He values his privacy and finds it difficult to live in London due to press intrusion.

1997: Acted in The Boxer and first retirement

In 1997, Day-Lewis acted in The Boxer and then retired from acting to become an apprentice shoe-maker in Italy.

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2000: Returned to acting

In 2000, after taking up a new profession as an apprentice shoe-maker in Italy, Daniel Day-Lewis ended his first retirement and returned to acting.

2009: Death of Jill Balcon

In 2009, Jill Balcon, Daniel Day-Lewis's mother, passed away.

2010: Honorary Doctorate from the University of Bristol

In 2010, Daniel Day-Lewis received an honorary doctorate in letters from the University of Bristol, acknowledging his attendance at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in his youth.

2011: Ambassador for The Lir Academy

In 2011, Daniel Day-Lewis became an Ambassador for The Lir Academy, a new drama school at Trinity College Dublin.

2013: Santa Barbara International Film Festival

In 2013, at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Daniel Day-Lewis denied rumors that he had broken two ribs while filming My Left Foot.

November 2014: Knighthood Investiture

On November 14, 2014, Daniel Day-Lewis was knighted by Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, in an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

June 2017: Announcement of Retirement from Acting

In June 2017, prior to the release of "Phantom Thread", Daniel Day-Lewis announced his retirement from acting.

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November 2017: Interview about Retirement

In November 2017, Daniel Day-Lewis gave an interview explaining that he needed to believe in the value of his work, and lately, that hadn't been the case, leading to his retirement from acting.

October 2024: Announcement of Return to Acting

On October 1, 2024, it was announced that after a seven-year absence, Day-Lewis would return to acting in "Anemone", the first film directed by his son, Ronan Day-Lewis, with whom Daniel co-wrote the script.

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