Daniel Day-Lewis Quits Acting
#1
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Daniel Day-Lewis Quits Acting
Three-time Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis, widely considered one of the preeminent actors of his generation, is retiring from acting, Variety has learned.
The 60-year-old star, who has played presidents, writers, and gang leaders in a career that has spanned four decades, has one final film awaiting release, “Phantom Thread,” a drama set in the world of high fashion. It is scheduled to hit theaters on December 25, 2017 and reunites him with Paul Thomas Anderson, who directed Day-Lewis to a best actor Oscar in 2007’s “There Will Be Blood.” Day-Lewis intends to help promote the movie, according to a person familiar with his plans.
He did not give a reason for his retirement. In a statement, Day-Lewis’ spokeswoman, Leslee Dart, confirmed the news: “Daniel Day-Lewis will no longer be working as an actor. He is immensely grateful to all of his collaborators and audiences over the many years. This is a private decision and neither he nor his representatives will make any further comment on this subject. ”
Day-Lewis is the performer to ever win three best actor Oscars, for the title role in Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln,” his turn as a rapacious oil man in “There Will Be Blood,” and his performance as writer and artist Christy Brown in “My Left Foot.” He earned two other Academy Award nominations for “Gangs of New York” and “In the Name of the Father.”
Day-Lewis has been praised for his shape-shifting acting and versatility. He is known for going to extreme lengths for his performances, frequently remaining in character off-screen. He has also starred in musicals (“Nine”), adventure epics (“The Last of the Mohicans“), and period dramas (“The Age of Innocence”).
The method master once learned Czech to play a philandering doctor in “The Unbearable Lightness of Being,” listened to Eminem records to channel rage in “Gangs of New York,” and confined himself to a wheelchair for “My Left Foot” to play Brown, who had cerebral palsy.
Day-Lewis, who is the son of poet Cecil Day-Lewis and English actress Jill Balcon, made his screen debut at the age of 14 in a bit part in 1971’s “Sunday, Bloody Sunday.” He first gained attention on the stage and on television before dazzling critics in 1985 with the one-two punch of “My Beautiful Laundrette” and “A Room With a View,” convincingly playing a street tough and an upper class Edwardian.
Although he has remained in high demand, Day-Lewis is also known as being highly selective, often waiting years between projects. In the late ’90s and early aughts he appeared to give up acting for a while, reportedly working as a cobbler before Martin Scorsese convinced him to return to the screen for “Gangs of New York.”
Day-Lewis has three children and is married to writer and director Rebecca Miller.
The 60-year-old star, who has played presidents, writers, and gang leaders in a career that has spanned four decades, has one final film awaiting release, “Phantom Thread,” a drama set in the world of high fashion. It is scheduled to hit theaters on December 25, 2017 and reunites him with Paul Thomas Anderson, who directed Day-Lewis to a best actor Oscar in 2007’s “There Will Be Blood.” Day-Lewis intends to help promote the movie, according to a person familiar with his plans.
He did not give a reason for his retirement. In a statement, Day-Lewis’ spokeswoman, Leslee Dart, confirmed the news: “Daniel Day-Lewis will no longer be working as an actor. He is immensely grateful to all of his collaborators and audiences over the many years. This is a private decision and neither he nor his representatives will make any further comment on this subject. ”
Day-Lewis is the performer to ever win three best actor Oscars, for the title role in Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln,” his turn as a rapacious oil man in “There Will Be Blood,” and his performance as writer and artist Christy Brown in “My Left Foot.” He earned two other Academy Award nominations for “Gangs of New York” and “In the Name of the Father.”
Day-Lewis has been praised for his shape-shifting acting and versatility. He is known for going to extreme lengths for his performances, frequently remaining in character off-screen. He has also starred in musicals (“Nine”), adventure epics (“The Last of the Mohicans“), and period dramas (“The Age of Innocence”).
The method master once learned Czech to play a philandering doctor in “The Unbearable Lightness of Being,” listened to Eminem records to channel rage in “Gangs of New York,” and confined himself to a wheelchair for “My Left Foot” to play Brown, who had cerebral palsy.
Day-Lewis, who is the son of poet Cecil Day-Lewis and English actress Jill Balcon, made his screen debut at the age of 14 in a bit part in 1971’s “Sunday, Bloody Sunday.” He first gained attention on the stage and on television before dazzling critics in 1985 with the one-two punch of “My Beautiful Laundrette” and “A Room With a View,” convincingly playing a street tough and an upper class Edwardian.
Although he has remained in high demand, Day-Lewis is also known as being highly selective, often waiting years between projects. In the late ’90s and early aughts he appeared to give up acting for a while, reportedly working as a cobbler before Martin Scorsese convinced him to return to the screen for “Gangs of New York.”
Day-Lewis has three children and is married to writer and director Rebecca Miller.
#4
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: Daniel Day-Lewis Quits Acting
Counting this upcoming movie, the guy has made six films in the past twenty years. Does he really even need to retire?
#9
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: Daniel Day-Lewis Quits Acting
He listened to a rap album.
#10
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Daniel Day-Lewis Quits Acting
I have to admit I really haven't even seen that many of his films. I know he's highly regarded but a lot of what he's been in I haven't been very interested in. I saw Lincoln which honestly didn't do much for me but I think it's just that the film itself was rather dull.
#11
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: Daniel Day-Lewis Quits Acting
Unbearable Lightness of Being is an amazing film
There Will Be Blood is a terrific performance.
In the Name of the Father is also a great movie.
There Will Be Blood is a terrific performance.
In the Name of the Father is also a great movie.
#15
DVD Talk God
Re: Daniel Day-Lewis Quits Acting
You know I really don't think this is as big a deal.
He's 60 years old now, has been in the business for 30-something years. If he's happy and content with what he's accomplished as an actor, then great. Let him walk off into retirement.
Look at someone like Gene Hackman, he quit acting 13 years ago at age 74 and hasn't looked back. He probably could have continued to work, but chose not to and is living and enjoying the rest of his life.
He's 60 years old now, has been in the business for 30-something years. If he's happy and content with what he's accomplished as an actor, then great. Let him walk off into retirement.
Look at someone like Gene Hackman, he quit acting 13 years ago at age 74 and hasn't looked back. He probably could have continued to work, but chose not to and is living and enjoying the rest of his life.
#17
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: Daniel Day-Lewis Quits Acting
#18
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Daniel Day-Lewis Quits Acting
Maybe he does not like the current state of Hollywood and can't find a film or project he wants to do.
He probably does not want to sell out and do a comic book movie.
He probably does not want to sell out and do a comic book movie.
#19
Re: Daniel Day-Lewis Quits Acting
He was amazing in Gangs of NY even though it's a heavily flawed film. The weak performances by Leo DC and Cameron Diaz sure as hell didn't help.
#20
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Daniel Day-Lewis Quits Acting
Not a shabby way to leave - going out on a PTA film.
I guess he'll try his hand at directing, but I wouldn't be surprised in the least if he comes back for the odd role here and there.
I guess he'll try his hand at directing, but I wouldn't be surprised in the least if he comes back for the odd role here and there.
#21
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Daniel Day-Lewis Quits Acting
I'm sure DDL realises there's a world of great creativity outside the Hollywood system. He can do films in a number of countries and can even stick to the independent route in the US.
#23
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Daniel Day-Lewis Quits Acting
Maybe he was that into it in the first place. Several of the most successful actors never had aspirations to be actors, just stumbled into it. It was a paycheck.
#24
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Daniel Day-Lewis Quits Acting
Again?