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 Michael Blake Day-Lewis is a highly acclaimed English actor, widely regarded as one of cinema's greatest. He has received numerous awards, including three Academy Awards, four BAFTA Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards. His contributions to drama were recognized in 2014 when he was knighted.

Sections (4)

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

1904: Birth of Cecil Day-Lewis

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

1925: Birth of Jill Balcon

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

1953: Birth of Tamasin Day-Lewis

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

April 1957: Daniel Day-Lewis's birth

In April 1957, Daniel Michael Blake Day-Lewis was born in Kensington, London.

1968: Sent to Sevenoaks School

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

1972: Family lived at Lemmons and death of father

For a few weeks in 1972, the Day-Lewis family lived at Lemmons due to his father's pancreatic cancer, and his father died there in May.

1975: Left Bedales and applied to be a cabinet maker

In 1975, Day-Lewis left Bedales and applied for a cabinet maker apprenticeship, but was turned down.

1993: Dual Citizenship

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

1995: Birth of Son

In 1995, Daniel Day-Lewis's son with French actress Isabelle Adjani was born in New York City, a few months after their relationship ended.

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".

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1997: Starred in The Boxer and first retirement

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

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1997: Maintaining Annamoe Home

Since 1997, Daniel Day-Lewis has maintained his Annamoe home.

2000: Return from retirement

In 2000, Daniel Day-Lewis returned from his first retirement and resumed acting after being an apprentice shoe-maker in Italy.

2005: Visiting Gaza Strip

In 2005, Daniel Day-Lewis visited the Gaza Strip with Médecins Sans Frontières and criticized the occupation.

2008: Academy Award Win

In 2008, after receiving the Academy Award for Best Actor from Helen Mirren, Daniel Day-Lewis knelt before her, and she tapped him on each shoulder with the Oscar statuette, to which he quipped about never getting a knighthood.

2009: Death of Jill Balcon

In 2009, Daniel Day-Lewis's mother, Jill Balcon, who was a vice-president of the Wilfred Owen Association, died.

2010: Honorary Doctorate

In 2010, Daniel Day-Lewis received an honorary doctorate in letters from the University of Bristol, due to his attendance of 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.

November 2014: Knighthood

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

June 2017: Announcing Retirement from Acting

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

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November 2017: Discussing Retirement

In November 2017, Daniel Day-Lewis discussed his decision to retire from acting, stating that he needed to believe in the value of the work he was doing.

2017: Oscar nomination for Phantom Thread and second retirement

In 2017, Day-Lewis was Oscar-nominated for Phantom Thread. He also retired from acting for the second time.

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October 2024: Announcing Return to Acting

On October 1, 2024, after a seven-year absence, it was announced that Daniel Day-Lewis would return to acting, starring in "Anemone", directed by his son, Ronan Day-Lewis.

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