Daniel Day Lewis is one of the most critically-acclaimed actors of all time, especially when you evaluate his body of work. Since his breakthrough film in 1990s Oscar-winning “My Left Foot”, Daniel Day Lewis has been nominated for six Academy Awards, seven British Academy Awards, and nine Golden Globes. He’s accumulated nine wins from those prestigious organizations collectively. This is even more impressive when you realize that Daniel Day Lewis has made less than 20 serious films.
Daniel Day Lewis is known for committing physically, mentally and artistically to roles; he 
takes on a multitude of accents; he loves to work with directors Martin Scorsese, Paul Thomas Anderson
and Jim Sheridan; he appreciates roles of historical significance, and he takes his time choosing just the right film … one in which he can always totally engage his entire self (physically and emotionally).
This video is a wonderful retrospective of highlights from some of Daniel Day Lewis’ greatest performances.
Read this Daniel Day Lewis biography and watch Daniel discuss filmmaking here on Movies 101 (60 minute in depth interview). Watch at least two of the following interview segments, but I’d encourage you to take them time to watch each segment. DDL is truly a fascinating talent.
Interview with DDL Part 1:
Interview with DDL Part 2:
Interview with DDL Part 3:
Interview with DDL Part 4:
Interview with DDL Part 5:
Response Questions: After reading the biography and watching the videos, address four of 
the following questions and respond by 11:59 pm on Feb. 26:
- What do you find most fascinating about this award-winning filmmaker, and why?
- Why does Daniel Day Lewis choose such challenging roles? What do you feel that can teach you about life (and the choices you make)?
- After looking at the highlights of his career, which Day Lewis performance do you feel you would enjoy the most and why?
- Talk about how Day Lewis’ approach to acting works for him (this should come from the reading, interview and your own perspective)?
- Compare similarities to Day Lewis and any other filmmaker you’ve studied this semester.
- What do you feel is the secret to Day Lewis’ success? Explain.
- Why do you feel that Daniel Day Lewis has continued to find such meaty roles (and dominate the acting landscape with each performance)?
Award Winning Filmmakers 
1. What do you find most fascinating about this award-winning filmmaker, and why?
I’m most fascinated by how shy and reserved Daniel Day-Lewis seems to be in real life. Given the broad range of roles he’s taken on and the multiple personalities, character types, and even accents he’s done, I assumed he would have a very outgoing, loud, and fun personality. He seems like a wonderful man, and genuinely nice, but I never expected to see him so calm and to-himself during the entirety of the interview. To his credit though, he seemed much more comfortable by the end of the interview than the beginning.
3. After looking at the highlights of his career, which Day Lewis performance do you feel you would enjoy the most and why?
After looking at the highlights of his career, I think I would most enjoy Daniel Day-Lewis’ performance as Daniel Plainview in “There Will Be Blood.” I’ve seen him in wonderful roles such as “Lincoln,” “Gangs of New York,” “Phantom Thread,” and “My Left Foot,” so I’m really intrigued to see his take as an oilman. Since this performance is one of his three Academy Award wins for best actor, I’m sure the quality of acting and filmmaking is superb, and the clips from the Top 10 video we watched hinted at this being one of his best roles.
4. Talk about how Day Lewis’ approach to acting works for him (this should come from the reading, interview and your own perspective)?
I think Daniel Day-Lewis’ approach to acting works for him because to him, acting is about literally Becoming another person. That’s why he won’t take on many roles and turns down more roles than he accepts. He said in the interview if he doesn’t feel that he can wholeheartedly commit and become the character he’s asked to portray, he turns down the role. This isn’t even out of selfishness, it’s because he wants the best actor for that job and doesn’t feel that he would be that person. I admire this quality quite a bit.
6. What do you feel is the secret to Day Lewis’ success? Explain.
I think Lewis’ secret to success is his complete commitment to each role, along with his immense love for filmmaking. Despite how quiet he seemed in the interview, you could see in his eyes and in the way he spoke that he truly loves getting to make films and finds his joy in doing so. His commitment makes him stand out above the rest, and that really does contribute to his recognition and success. He even said in the interview that he disagreed with Olivier – acting isn’t about pretending, it’s about fully immersing oneself into becoming another person.
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He is shy in person as well; I think that’s what I got most when I worked with him, he wanted to talk more about others than himself.
Yes: “acting isn’t about pretending, it’s about fully immersing oneself into becoming another person.”
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3. After looking at the highlights of his career, which Day Lewis performance do you feel you would enjoy the most and why?
There are a few roles that I would find hard to watch, due to Day-Lewis being extremely convincing. For example, his roles in “Gangs of New York” and “My Left Foot”. I do have an interest in seeing Day-Lewis’ role in “The Last of the Mohicans”. After a quick look at the video provided, it seems like a “Braveheart” kind of movie and I love “Braveheart”. But I’m also fascinated with American history. So I’m naturally interested in seeing Day-Lewis’ take on the historical figure.
4. Talk about how Day Lewis’ approach to acting works for him (this should come from reading, interview and your own perspective)?
I respect Day-Lewis’ approach to acting. It makes sense to me that if a character is in a wheelchair, that the actor gets very comfortable with being in a wheelchair. In regards to Day-Lewis learning certain trades like, shoemaking or studying to become a butcher, is incredible. It is so nice to see actors who do anything to get into character. It really shows how much they care for the film, their trade, and to give the character respect.
5. Compare similarities to Day Lewis and any other filmmaker you’ve studied this semester
The first person that often comes to mind when I hear of Clint Eastwood, is Daniel Day-Lewis. They seem similar to me because of their serious take on filmmaking. Although Eastwood does more behind the scenes work, the work I have seen him do in front of the camera is convincing. They are similar to me because of the roles that they take. But also that they both are not afraid to work different jobs. Day-Lewis with this character preparation and Eastwood during his pre-film life.
6. What do you feel is the secret to Day Lewis’ success? Explain.
I have always considered Day-Lewis as a character actor. When I first learned that he was British and got his acting start in theater, I immediately was like, “yeah course he’s a great, incredible, and gripping actor.” I believe that if you are a theater actor, you become your role. You are the character from the beginning of the play to the end. Sometimes, not always, films are shot out of order. Due to location and actor availability. For that reason, I have always felt that theater actors have a strong base of experience when they begin an acting career in film.
-Samuelle Grove
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Great point about theaters actors – becoming the role and living it from beginning to end (chronologically). I think it makes it even more impactful when actors (on film) can command the role when shot out of sequence.
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1. What do you find most fascinating about this award-winning filmmaker, and why?
I was intrigued to discover how Day-Lewis got into acting in the first place. He was a child that got into a lot of trouble at school and did not enjoy much that was offered at his place of education. However, acting in theater was something that he could do to set side everything that bothered him and focus solely on what he enjoyed. What began as a coping mechanism eventually led to one of the most successful film careers of all time. I can certainly relate to this on a personal level. In order to deal with the stress of everyday life and school, I devote some time to long-distance running. The endorphins help clear my mind and get rid of negative energy. Different people use various methods to deal with stress, depending on their personal characteristics.
2. Why does Daniel Day Lewis choose such challenging roles? What do you feel that can teach you about life (and the choices you make)?
I think a large part of the reason that Day-Lewis took on such difficult projects was that he truly enjoyed his profession. He mentioned in the interview on Movies 101 that he genuinely appreciates learning new things. With each role he took on, he was introduced to unique and interesting information that was exciting to him. Day-Lewis relished the hard work and toil that was required in order to perfect his craft. This is a useful lesson for anyone to learn and apply to their life. Hard work is the common denominator of most successful people in all areas of life, regardless of profession. Most figures at the top of their fields in society also take pleasure in their job. If I can find a career that I am interested in, then the labor aspect will seem much less demanding.
3. After looking at the highlights of his career, which Day Lewis performance do you feel you would enjoy the most and why?
I am looking forward to analyzing “My Left Foot” for this week’s evaluation. It is always fascinating to me when an actor can pull off a convincing portrayal of a mentally or physically disabled person. The first time I saw an actor do this was Zac Efron in the small-market television film “Miracle Run.” He churned out an absolutely outstanding performance as a teenager with autism, illustrating the daily struggles that someone like that encounters. Another example that comes to mind is Sean Penn in “I Am Sam.” In this case, Penn portrayed a single father with autism who experiences many difficulties in raising his young daughter. I expect that Daniel Day Lewis’s performance as a man with cerebral palsy will be no less impressive.
7. Why do you feel that Daniel Day Lewis has continued to find such meaty roles (and dominate the acting landscape with each performance)?
As other filmmakers have recognized the passion and devotion that Day-Lewis has exhibited into his career as an actor, they understand that this is the type of person that they want headlining their film. They know that he will give his absolute best effort into whatever project he is tasked with. This often has led him to be chosen for some of the most difficult and rewarding acting roles. His remarkable diversity as an actor is second to none. He is not restricted to a specific genre. This are just a few characteristics of his that have contributed to his outstanding career in the film industry.
– Thomas Manning
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Finding that positive outlet can change not only us, but the world around us. DDLs outlet sure made an impact on how we explore acting.
Love what you do, and your work will be well worth it.
Great examples with Miracle Run & I Am Sam.
If you want to be the best, surround yourself with the best … directors know that if they work with DDL, that’s what will happen.
Thanks Thomas
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1. What do you find most fascinating about this award-winning filmmaker, and why?
The thing I find most interesting about Daniel Day-Lewis is how much he truly becomes his role. For example for gangs of New York, he actually became an apprentice butcher to better understand his role. In Last of the Mohicans, he ate only the foods he would have eaten in that time period. I think it is things like this off screen that make the parts on screen so believable. I really have a lot of respect for actors who do their research and take their role seriously.
2. Why does Daniel Day Lewis choose such challenging roles? What do you feel that can teach you about life (and the choices you make)?
I think Day-Lewis chooses more difficult roles because he genuinely enjoys the challenge. He does not do as many roles as many other actors, so when he does, he wants it to be memorable. Generally, if a role is more difficult then if it is done correctly, the audience is going to appreciate it. The same applies to anyone. If you take on a difficult task or project, then when it is completed you and others can appreciate it more than if it was simple.
7. After looking at the highlights of his career, which Day Lewis performance do you feel you would enjoy the most and why?
I think that I would either enjoy Lincoln or My Left Foot the most. I have always been a big fan of history, especially the Civil War period, so Lincoln appeals to me. I also really admire Daniel Day-Lewis for taking taking on the challenging role of a person with cerebral palsy in My Left Foot. Both these films would interest me and I look forward to seeing his award winning acting in either one.
6. What do you feel is the secret to Day Lewis’ success? Explain.
I think the biggest thing that has contributed to his success is his choosiness in his roles and the difficulty of them. He only does roles that he feels will be successful and it shows. His success in the past has allowed him to be choosy and while this is not for every actor, I think that it works for him because when I see Daniel Day-Lewis’ name on a movie, I have high expectations.
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Also this is Tanner Hoyle’s response post
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Two things: Yes, I agree, I think it is the challenge that drives him with these roles … it pushes him to see what he is capable of doing. I also feel that he is like a chameleon … he transforms.
Thanks Tanner
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1. What do you find most fascinating about this award-winning filmmaker, and why?
First of all, I’m absolutely amazed at Day-Lewis’ versatility as an actor. As I was watching the video posted by watchmojo.com, I realized that he never plays the same type of character twice. I have seen many other actors and actresses fall into patterns, as they tend to choose the same types of roles over and over again. Day-Lewis couldn’t be any further from this – he’s played Abraham Lincoln, a New York gangster, a Native American warrior, and literally everything in between. Not only has he found success as an actor, but he also seems to have found the rare ability to balance his personal and professional life, many times even taking long breaks from acting and working in other professions outside of the film industry.
3. After looking at the highlights of his career, which Day Lewis performance do you feel you would enjoy the most and why?
I would be really interested in seeing Day-Lewis’ performance as Cecil Vyse in the film “A Room with a View.” Just by watching the clips provided in the watchmojo video, I could see that he perfectly captured his role of what I think of as a stereotypical snooty Englishman. The biography talked about his unique approach to preparing for his roles, and this performance seems no different. There is a certain deliberateness and authenticity in the way he portrays this character. In fact, I didn’t even recognize that it was him at first.
5. Compare similarities to Day Lewis and any other filmmaker you’ve studied this semester.
In an unlikely comparison, I could see some of Woody Allen in Day-Lewis. To me, neither one has the demeanor of the stereotypical “movie star.” For instance, when Allen has acted in his own films, such as “Annie Hall,” he was seen as the unconventional star in the romantic comedy. Not only did he not fit the profile of tall, dark, and handsome, he also seemed a little offbeat and a little frazzled. Although Day-Lewis does have more of the look of a movie star, in his interviews, he seems a bit shy and quiet. He seems very grounded and not necessarily interested in all the glitz and glamour, which is somewhat atypical of many high-profile Hollywood actors. Although Allen and Day-Lewis may approach it differently, they both represent a kind of “underdog” in American cinema.
7. Why do you feel that Daniel Day Lewis has continued to find such meaty roles (and dominate the acting landscape with each performance)?
I think that one of the reasons that Day-Lewis has continued to find such significant roles is because he refuses to settle. In the interview, he talked about when he first started stage acting, he understood the importance of actually believing in the roles that he took on. I think this attitude carried on and has served him well in his film career. As I mentioned in my answer to question #1, many actors get stuck in a rut and always choose to be one character in one genre. For them, it might be more about the money or the fame, or maybe that they just get too comfortable. But, for Day-Lewis, his understanding goes beyond all of this. He seems to realize that there is more to acting than the fame and glory. Instead, he wants to push out work that truly matters, that truly means something, even if that means waiting several years to do so.
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You hit it Kathryn. DDL is no Adam Sandler. You truly feel he IS someone different each time.
Interesting comparison (calm demeanor) with Woody Allen; I can see that (especially in interviews), especially in the approach to the “Hollywood” mindset.
Never accept contentment; move forward; take risks, and push your boundaries … I think all these apply to DDL.
Thanks Kathryn.
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2. One of the first things that Day-Lewis mentions in the interview was reading the script for My Left Foot and being in awe, practically thinking that such a thing would be impossible. It would seem that he accepts the challenge of such roles to see if he can rise to the occasion. Based on the intensity of his acting in the clips we have viewed, it seems that he had usually done so, and often grown as an actor as a result. Day-Lewis’s example is definitely a great life philosophy. An upcoming task may seem challenging, but taking the chance and giving it what one has gives them the chance to embrace change and gain new skills and experience.
3. Out of Day-Lewis’s career highlights, I am most interested to see films like The Last of the Mohicans and Lincoln. I usually like period pieces, so I am especially curious to see Day-Lewis’s intensity bring those characters, stories, and parts of history to life.
5. Day-Lewis reminds me somewhat of Clint Eastwood, as they each worked up to larger roles after being willing to start small. Much like Eastwood’s smaller roles and spaghetti Western projects helped him prepare for his bigger roles, as well as making a name for himself, Day-Lewis’s smaller roles and theater projects seem to have shaped him to be the versatile actor his is.
7. It would seem that Day-Lewis is able to accumulate so many deep roles because of his ability to become any character needed. He adopts accents and mannerisms as needed in order to convey the depth of the character in question. His intense acting lends to emotional development of so many different personalities, whether strong leaders, like in Lincoln or Last of the Mohicans, or those experiencing great troubles, like in My Left Foot.
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-Chelsea Sydnor
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The impossible is only impossible until someone achieves it.
Thanks Chelsea
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