On This Day

Birthday of Daniel Day-Lewis

April 29th 1957

12:16 29 April 2024

English actor Daniel Day-Lewis was born on this day in 1957. Day-Lewis made his film debut aged 14 in 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' (1971), in which he had an uncredited role as a vandal. After a small role in 'Gandhi' (1982), he had his first major supporting role in 'The Bounty' (1984).

His breakthrough role came in Stephen Frears' 'My Beautiful Launderette' (1985) which won him widespread critical acclaim as did his performance in 'A Room with a View' (1985).

For his portrayal of Christy Brown in Jim Sheridan's 'My Left Foot' (1989) he won his first Academy Award for Best Actor. He was now widely regarded as one his generations most gifted actors as evidenced by his performances in such films as 'The Last of the Mohicans' (1992), 'The Age of Innocence' (1993), 'In the Name of the Father' (1993) and 'The Crucible' (1996).

Following his role in 'The Boxer' (1997) he retired from acting for three years and took up a new profession as an apprentice shoe-maker in Italy but was persuaded to return to acting to play William "Bill the Butcher" Cutting in Martin Scorsese's 'Gangs of New York' (2002).

Two more Best Actor Oscar wins followed for 'There Will Be Blood' (2007) and 'Lincoln' (2012). After a five-year hiatus he returned to star in 'Paul Thomas Anderson's 'The Phantom Thread' (2017). Shortly before the films release he announced it was his intention to retire from acting and it remains his last film to date.

For a performer who, at the peak of his career, was often given the accolade: "The Worlds Greatest Actor" his absence from stage and screen remains a huge loss to the world of entertainment. Happy Birthday Daniel.