History of Daniel Day-Lewis in Timeline
Sir Daniel Michael Blake Day-Lewis is an English actor widely regarded as one of the greatest in cinematic history. His exceptional talent has earned him numerous prestigious awards, including three Academy Awards, four BAFTA Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards. In recognition of his significant contributions to the world of drama, Day-Lewis received a knighthood in 2014.
1904: Birth of Cecil Day-Lewis
Daniel Day-Lewis's father, Cecil Day-Lewis, was born in 1904.
1925: Birth of Jill Balcon
Jill Balcon, Daniel Day-Lewis's mother, was born in 1925.
1953: Birth of Tamasin Day-Lewis
Daniel Day-Lewis's sister, Tamasin Day-Lewis, was born in 1953.
April 1957: Birth of Daniel Day-Lewis
Daniel Day-Lewis was born in April 1957.
April 1957: Birth of Daniel Day-Lewis
Daniel Day-Lewis was born in April 1957.
1968: Cecil Day-Lewis Becomes Poet Laureate
Cecil Day-Lewis, Daniel Day-Lewis's father, was appointed Poet Laureate in 1968.
1968: Day-Lewis Attends Sevenoaks School
Due to behavioral issues, Daniel Day-Lewis was sent to Sevenoaks School in Kent in 1968.
1972: Death of Cecil Day-Lewis
Daniel Day-Lewis's father, Cecil Day-Lewis, passed away in 1972.
1972: Day-Lewis Family Stays at Kingsley Amis's Home
The Day-Lewis family, including a young Daniel Day-Lewis, spent time at the home of Kingsley Amis in 1972 while his father battled pancreatic cancer.
1975: Day-Lewis Attends Bristol Old Vic Theatre School
After considering a career in cabinetmaking, Daniel Day-Lewis decided to pursue acting and enrolled in the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in 1975.
1981: Premiere of "Another Country"
The play "Another Country," which would later feature Daniel Day-Lewis, premiered in late 1981.
1982: Supporting Role in "Gandhi"
Daniel Day-Lewis appeared in a supporting role in the film "Gandhi" in 1982.
1982: Film and Stage Roles
Daniel Day-Lewis appeared in the film "Gandhi" and began his breakout stage role in the play "Another Country" in 1982.
1984: Supporting Role in "The Bounty"
Daniel Day-Lewis appeared in a supporting role in the 1984 film "The Bounty."
1984: Supporting Role in "The Bounty"
Daniel Day-Lewis had a supporting role in the film "The Bounty" in 1984.
1985: Critical Acclaim for "My Beautiful Laundrette"
Daniel Day-Lewis garnered significant praise for his performance in the 1985 film "My Beautiful Laundrette."
1985: Breakthrough Performances in "My Beautiful Laundrette" and "A Room with a View"
Daniel Day-Lewis earned acclaim for his performances in "My Beautiful Laundrette" and "A Room with a View," both released in 1985.
1985: Public Recognition for "A Room with a View"
Daniel Day-Lewis gained wider recognition for his role in the 1985 film "A Room with a View."
1987: Lead Role in "The Unbearable Lightness of Being"
Daniel Day-Lewis starred in the film adaptation of Milan Kundera's novel "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" in 1987.
1988: Critical Acclaim for "The Unbearable Lightness of Being"
Daniel Day-Lewis received praise for his performance in the 1988 film "The Unbearable Lightness of Being."
1989: Academy Award for "My Left Foot"
Daniel Day-Lewis won his first Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in the 1989 film "My Left Foot."
1989: Method Acting and Acclaim for "My Left Foot"
Daniel Day-Lewis's immersive method acting for his role as Christy Brown in the 1989 film "My Left Foot" earned him widespread recognition and numerous awards.
1989: Hamlet at the National Theatre
In 1989, Daniel Day-Lewis took on the title role in "Hamlet" at the National Theatre, London. However, his performance was cut short when he reportedly broke down during a performance and refused to continue. The incident garnered significant media attention and contributed to his decision to relocate to Ireland in the mid-1990s.
1989: Day-Lewis's Final Stage Performance
While playing Hamlet at the National Theatre in London in 1989, Daniel Day-Lewis left the stage mid-performance and never returned.
1992: The Last of the Mohicans
Daniel Day-Lewis starred in "The Last of the Mohicans" in 1992, immersing himself in the role by learning survival skills, crafting canoes, and carrying a rifle even off-set to embody the character.
1992: Release of "The Last of the Mohicans"
The film "The Last of the Mohicans," starring Daniel Day-Lewis, was released in 1992.
1993: Dual British and Irish Citizenship
Daniel Day-Lewis became a dual citizen of Britain and Ireland in 1993. He maintains a strong connection to both countries, residing in both Ireland and the United States.
1993: Oscar Nomination for "In the Name of the Father"
Daniel Day-Lewis was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance in the 1993 film "In the Name of the Father."
1993: The Age of Innocence
In 1993, Daniel Day-Lewis starred in "The Age of Innocence," directed by Martin Scorsese. Despite initial reservations about the role, he immersed himself in the character by adopting period-appropriate attire and mannerisms, earning critical acclaim for his performance.
1994: Collaboration with Pete Postlethwaite in "In the Name of the Father"
Daniel Day-Lewis and Pete Postlethwaite, who had previously worked together at the Bristol Old Vic, co-starred in the 1994 film "In the Name of the Father."
1995: Birth of First Son
Daniel Day-Lewis's son with French actress Isabelle Adjani was born in New York City in 1995. The birth occurred a few months after the couple's six-year relationship ended.
November 1996: Marriage to Rebecca Miller
Daniel Day-Lewis married Rebecca Miller, daughter of playwright Arthur Miller, on November 13, 1996. The couple met at the playwright's home during Day-Lewis's preparation for the film adaptation of "The Crucible."
1996: Release of "The Crucible"
The film adaptation of Arthur Miller's play "The Crucible," featuring Daniel Day-Lewis, premiered in 1996.
1996: The Crucible and The Boxer
In 1996, Daniel Day-Lewis appeared in "The Crucible," during which he met his future wife, Rebecca Miller. He also starred in "The Boxer," where his dedication to portraying a boxer, including training with Barry McGuigan, was widely noted.
1997: Establishment of Annamoe Home
Daniel Day-Lewis established his home in Annamoe, Ireland in 1997. He has expressed a deep affinity for Ireland and its culture.
1997: Release of "The Boxer" and First Retirement from Acting
Daniel Day-Lewis starred in the film "The Boxer," which was released in 1997. Following the film's release, he took a break from acting.
1997: Method Acting for "In the Name of the Father" and "The Boxer"
In 1997, Daniel Day-Lewis showcased his intense preparation methods for roles in "In the Name of the Father" and "The Boxer", embodying his characters through physical transformations, enduring harsh conditions, and undergoing rigorous training, which resulted in some injuries.
1998: Method Acting and Career Selectivity
Daniel Day-Lewis is renowned for his meticulous method acting, fully immersing himself in his roles, even to the detriment of his well-being at times. Notably selective in his projects, he has starred in just six films since 1998, often with significant intervals between roles.
2000: End of First Retirement from Acting
After a three-year hiatus, Daniel Day-Lewis returned to acting in 2000.
2002: Oscar Nomination for "Gangs of New York"
Daniel Day-Lewis received an Academy Award nomination for his role in Martin Scorsese's 2002 film "Gangs of New York."
2002: Gangs of New York
In 2002, Daniel Day-Lewis returned to film after a three-year hiatus, reuniting with Martin Scorsese for "Gangs of New York." His intense preparation, including staying in character off-set and refusing to break character even while ill, contributed to his acclaimed performance as Bill the Butcher.
2007: There Will Be Blood
In 2007, Daniel Day-Lewis garnered widespread recognition and numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Best Actor, for his role in "There Will Be Blood." His performance was lauded by critics and audiences alike.
2007: Academy Award for "There Will Be Blood"
Daniel Day-Lewis won his second Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the 2007 film "There Will Be Blood."
February 2008: "Daniel Day-Lewis aims for perfection"
In February 2008, The Daily Telegraph published an article highlighting Daniel Day-Lewis's commitment to delivering authentic performances.
2008: Academy Award Win and Knighthood Joke
In 2008, when Daniel Day-Lewis won the Academy Award for Best Actor for "There Will Be Blood," he was presented the award by Helen Mirren. He jokingly remarked, "That's the closest I'll come to ever getting a knighthood." This foreshadowed his eventual knighthood in 2014.
2009: Death of Jill Balcon
Daniel Day-Lewis's mother, Jill Balcon, died in 2009.
2009: Passing of Jill Balcon
Daniel Day-Lewis's mother, Jill Balcon, who served as a vice-president of the Wilfred Owen Association, passed away in 2009.
2009: Nine
In 2009, Daniel Day-Lewis starred in the musical "Nine." Though the film received mixed reviews, his performance alongside an ensemble cast was generally praised.
2010: Honorary Doctorate from the University of Bristol
Daniel Day-Lewis was awarded an honorary doctorate in letters from the University of Bristol in 2010, partly recognizing his attendance at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School during his formative years.
October 2011: Filming of "Lincoln" Begins
In October 2011, filming commenced in Richmond, Virginia for Steven Spielberg's biopic "Lincoln," starring Daniel Day-Lewis as the titular president. Day-Lewis dedicated a year to meticulously preparing for the role, immersing himself in extensive research and adopting Lincoln's mannerisms.
2011: Ambassador for The Lir Academy
Daniel Day-Lewis assumed the role of Ambassador for The Lir Academy in 2011. The Lir Academy, established at Trinity College Dublin, is a prominent drama school in Ireland.
November 2012: BAFTA Britannia Award and Time Magazine Recognition
Daniel Day-Lewis received the BAFTA Britannia Award for Excellence in Film in November 2012 for his performance as Abraham Lincoln in "Lincoln." Further solidifying his acclaim, he was featured on the cover of Time magazine as the "World's Greatest Actor" in the same month.
2012: Academy Award for "Lincoln"
Daniel Day-Lewis won his third Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Abraham Lincoln in the 2012 film "Lincoln."
2012: Donation of Father's Papers to Oxford University
In 2012, Daniel Day-Lewis donated a collection of papers belonging to his father, the esteemed poet Cecil Day-Lewis, to the University of Oxford. This invaluable collection included early drafts of his father's work, as well as letters from notable figures such as John Gielgud, W.H. Auden, Robert Graves, and Philip Larkin.
January 2013: Golden Globe Win for "Lincoln"
On January 14, 2013, Daniel Day-Lewis secured his second Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his remarkable portrayal of Abraham Lincoln in Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln" at the 70th Golden Globe Awards.
2013: Day-Lewis Addresses Rumor at Santa Barbara International Film Festival
At the 2013 Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Daniel Day-Lewis refuted the rumor that he broke two ribs while filming "My Left Foot."
November 2014: Knighted by Prince William
In November 2014, Daniel Day-Lewis was knighted by Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, in an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace. The knighthood was bestowed upon him for his services to drama.
2014: Daniel Day-Lewis Receives Knighthood
In 2014, Daniel Day-Lewis was knighted for his contributions to drama.
2014: Knighted for Services to Drama
In 2014, Daniel Day-Lewis was knighted for his contributions to drama. This recognition solidified his legacy as a prominent figure in the acting world.
2015: Honorary President of the Poetry Archive
Daniel Day-Lewis became the Honorary President of the Poetry Archive in 2015, demonstrating his dedication to literature and the arts. The Poetry Archive is a UK-based registered charity that provides free online access to a growing collection of recordings of English-language poets reciting their works.
June 2017: Announcement of Retirement from Acting
Leslee Dart, Daniel Day-Lewis's spokesperson, announced his retirement from acting on June 20, 2017, ahead of the release of Paul Thomas Anderson's "Phantom Thread." The reason for his decision remained unclear at the time.
November 2017: Explanation of Retirement Decision
In a November 2017 interview, Daniel Day-Lewis addressed his decision to retire from acting, alluding to a sense of needing to believe in the value of his work and suggesting that it no longer felt as vital or compelling as it once did.
2017: Patron of the Wilfred Owen Association
Daniel Day-Lewis assumed the role of patron for the Wilfred Owen Association in 2017. This association holds special significance for him, as his father, Cecil Day-Lewis, had edited Wilfred Owen's poetry in the 1960s.
2017: Oscar Nomination for "Phantom Thread"
Daniel Day-Lewis was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance in the 2017 film "Phantom Thread."
October 2024: Return to Acting in "Anemone"
After a seven-year hiatus, Daniel Day-Lewis's return to acting was announced in October 2024. He is set to star in "Anemone," a film directed by his son, Ronan Day-Lewis, for which they co-wrote the script.
2024: Return to Acting After Second Retirement
Daniel Day-Lewis came out of retirement again in 2024, having previously announced his retirement in 2017.