Daniel Day-Lewis's Success and Achievements in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: October 2, 2025

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Daniel Day-Lewis.

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

Sections (4)

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

1985: Breakthrough Performances

In 1985, Daniel Day-Lewis earned acclaim for his breakthrough performances in My Beautiful Laundrette and A Room with a View.

1985: Critically Acclaimed Performance in My Beautiful Laundrette

In 1985, Daniel Day-Lewis gave his first critically acclaimed performance in the film My Beautiful Laundrette.

1989: Performance as Christy Brown in My Left Foot

In 1989, Daniel Day-Lewis gave performance as Christy Brown in My Left Foot, winning numerous awards, including an Academy Award and a BAFTA Award.

1989: Academy Award for My Left Foot

In 1989, Daniel Day-Lewis won his first Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in My Left Foot.

1993: Oscar Nomination for In the Name of the Father

In 1993, Daniel Day-Lewis received an Oscar nomination for his role in In the Name of the Father.

2002: Oscar Nomination for Gangs of New York

In 2002, Daniel Day-Lewis received an Oscar nomination for his role in Gangs of New York.

2007: Starring in "There Will Be Blood"

In 2007, Daniel Day-Lewis starred in Paul Thomas Anderson's "There Will Be Blood", a loose adaptation of Upton Sinclair's novel Oil!. The film garnered widespread critical acclaim, and Day-Lewis received several awards for his performance, including the Academy Award for Best Actor. He dedicated his Screen Actors Guild Award to Heath Ledger, who had recently passed away, acknowledging Ledger's inspiring performance in Brokeback Mountain.

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2007: Academy Award for There Will Be Blood

In 2007, Daniel Day-Lewis won his second Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in There Will Be Blood.

2008: Receiving Academy Award from Helen Mirren

In 2008, Daniel Day-Lewis received the Academy Award for Best Actor from Helen Mirren. He knelt before her and quipped about it being the closest he would get to a knighthood.

2009: Starring in "Nine"

In 2009, Day-Lewis starred as film director Guido Contini in Rob Marshall's musical adaptation Nine, alongside a distinguished ensemble cast. The film received mixed reviews, but Day-Lewis's performance was generally praised, earning him nominations for several awards.

2010: Honorary Doctorate from the University of Bristol

In 2010, Daniel Day-Lewis received an honorary doctorate in letters from the University of Bristol, recognizing his connection to the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

November 2012: Receiving the BAFTA Britannia Award and Featuring on Time Magazine

In November 2012, Daniel Day-Lewis received the BAFTA Britannia Award for Excellence in Film. Also in November 2012, he was featured on the cover of Time magazine, which hailed him as the "World's Greatest Actor".

2012: Academy Award for Lincoln

In 2012, Daniel Day-Lewis won his third Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Lincoln.

January 2013: Winning a Golden Globe Award for "Lincoln"

On January 14, 2013, at the 70th Golden Globe Awards, Day-Lewis won his second Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Abraham Lincoln in the film Lincoln.

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2013: Debate About Day-Lewis's Status as an Actor

Following his third Oscar win in 2013, there was significant debate and discussion regarding Daniel Day-Lewis's position among the greatest actors in film history, with comparisons to legends like Laurence Olivier and Marlon Brando.

November 2014: Knighthood Investiture

On November 14, 2014, Daniel Day-Lewis was knighted by Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, at Buckingham Palace for his services to drama.

2014: Knighthood for Services to Drama

In 2014, Daniel Day-Lewis received a knighthood for his services to drama, recognizing his significant contributions to the field.

2014: Knighthood Received

In 2014, Daniel Day-Lewis was awarded a knighthood for his contributions to drama.

2017: Oscar Nomination for Phantom Thread

In 2017, Daniel Day-Lewis received an Oscar nomination for his role in Phantom Thread. He also retired from acting that year.

2017: Starring in "Phantom Thread"

In 2017, after a five-year hiatus, Day-Lewis starred in Paul Thomas Anderson's historical drama "Phantom Thread", set in 1950s London. He played Reynolds Woodcock, an obsessive dressmaker. The film and his performance were widely acclaimed, earning him another Academy Award nomination.