Daniel Day-Lewis is a British-Irish actor who has three Oscars under his belt: My Left Foot (1989), Wells of Ambition (2007) and Lincoln (2012). In 2017 he announced that he was retiring from acting, leaving behind an extraordinary career.
With a career spanning more than three decades in the film industry, Day-Lewis has stood out not only for his exceptional acting talent, but also for his singular approach to his craft. From his earliest supporting roles to his iconic lead roles, Day-Lewis has demonstrated unwavering dedication to every character he has portrayed.
The announcement of his retirement came after the conclusion of his last film, Phantom Thread (2017), directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. In the words of his spokesperson Leslee Dart, Day-Lewis expressed his gratitude to his collaborators and audiences, but chose to keep the decision to withdraw from him a private matter, without providing further details on the matter.
Day-Lewis’ career has been marked by his extreme commitment to every role he has played. From immersing himself in character research to undergoing rigorous physical training, the actor has demonstrated unmatched dedication to his craft.
His meticulous approach took him to extremes such as drastically losing weight or living in adverse conditions to prepare for certain roles, all for the sake of authenticity and excellence in his performance.
Off screen, Day-Lewis has led a low-key life, away from the hustle and bustle of Hollywood. Living in County Wicklow, south of Dublin, the actor has opted for a quiet existence, away from the spotlight. He can be seen frequenting the local supermarkets and enjoying a beer in the town’s bars like any other citizen.
After filming “The Boxer” (1997), he immersed himself in the art of shoemaking in Florence, Italy, under the tutelage of maestro Stefano Bemer. In an interview with Rolling Stone, he described this passion as a counterweight to acting: “It’s an antidote to this other thing I do.” The tangible creation and clarity of success or failure in shoemaking provided Day-Lewis a way to stay grounded and out of the reach of criticism.
This turn toward shoemaking represented a way to stay connected to reality and find satisfaction in a profession completely different from acting. Working with your hands and producing something physical at the end of the day offered a more concrete sense of accomplishment than glowing film reviews. For him, it was a way to stay balanced and focused amid the frenzy of show business.
