Summary
- Daniel Day-Lewis saw a career-defining moment with his portrayal of Christy Brown in
My Left Foot
at the 1990 Oscars. - Day-Lewis’s passion for artisanal crafts and family life led him to a sudden retirement announcement in 2017, which shocked Hollywood.
- The actor has a love of hand-made objects and woodworking, though he may also have a possible future in writing, showing his deep commitment to all pursuits.
I’ve always been fascinated by Daniel Day-Lewis, an enigmatic and multi-talented artist who has left an indelible mark on both the film industry and the world of handicrafts. His acting career spanned decades and yielded three Oscar wins, yet it was his love for the meticulous and handmade that seemed to captivate him most outside of the limelight.
At the 62nd Academy Awards in 1990, the Best Actor category was particularly strong. Morgan Freeman (“Driving Miss Daisy”), Tom Cruise (“Born on the Fourth of July”), and Robin Williams (“Dead Poets Society”) were all there, having delivered standout performances the previous year. Additionally, Daniel Day-Lewis, who was already 32 and wearing long hair for his upcoming role in “The Last of the Mohicans,” was also in attendance.
When Jodie Foster declared Day-Lewis the victor, I and the other contenders weren’t taken aback – instead, we were filled with joy. Such was the power of Day-Lewis’ acting in “My Left Foot,” his role as Christy Brown in Jim Sheridan’s indie film. Up until then, Day-Lewis had earned respect for his work in films like “The Unbearable Lightness of Being.” Yet, his portrayal of Christy Brown, a man with cerebral palsy, catapulted him over some of Tinseltown’s biggest stars.
The actor had advanced to a prestigious level in Hollywood due to his unwavering commitment and extraordinary talent that earned him three victories and six nominations from the Academy. Consequently, his unexpected retirement announcement in 2017 came as a shock to the industry, and he has kept a low profile since then. Exploring the reasons behind his decision, it’s clear that the actor’s passion for artisanal crafts and dedication to his children and spouse, Rebecca Miller, the director, were more important to him than pursuing an unrivaled acting career.
Oscar Speeches Hinted at Day-Lewis’ Future Long Ago
As a devoted fan of Daniel Day-Lewis, I can’t help but harbor hopes that he might change his mind and grace the silver screen once more. However, every time I allow myself to dream, I am reminded of his firm declaration. My representative, Leslee Dart, shared an official statement on his behalf: “I will no longer be taking on roles as an actor… This is a definitive decision; neither Daniel nor I will provide any additional comments regarding this matter.”
The announcement was just as mysterious as the private life of the actor, but following his win for “Lincoln” in 2012, Day-Lewis acknowledged his wife’s support. He mentioned, “My wife Rebecca has put up with some unusual characters since we got married 16 years ago. Fortunately, she is adaptable and has been an amazing companion to every one of them.”
I used to live a nomadic life as an actor, but by 2017, that existence no longer resonated with me. My method acting had taken a toll on my marriage as well. By then, I had discovered new passions beyond the world of acting. One of these passions led me to take a 10-month break in Florence to learn the art of shoemaking from master craftsman Stefano Bemer. Looking back, my role as Reynolds Woodcock in “Phantom Thread” was a sign of the life I was about to live. Director P.T. Anderson knew about my fascination with handmade objects and wrote the role with me in mind. The film beautifully captured the intricate, hands-on work of designing bespoke outfits.
Day-Lewis’ Love of the Hand Made Started While Still Acting
Day-Lewis’ long-documented love of craft nearly took him away from acting when he took his first semi-retirement after making his third film with Jim Sheridan, The Boxer, in 1997. During that period, he studied another medium, woodworking, and seemed to delight in his time away from the limelight. Now, Day-Lewis is rumored to have taken up writing, with sources within the publishing world saying the actor has been writing a book. Whether this is a novel or perhaps a memoir is unknown. If Day-Lewis approaches writing anything like his acting, that means he will fully immerse himself in his literary pursuits. That said, we may never know the outcome, thanks to Day-Lewis’ thick veil of secrecy around his personal life.
In an interview with NPR, Daniel Day-Lewis, known for his skill in handicrafts, hesitated and replied, “I guess you could call me handy. Provide me with a tool belt, and I’ll put it to good use… If we ever cross paths, feel free to ask about it then. I’d be glad to discuss it privately with you.” This secretive demeanor explains why there isn’t much information available about the actor since his retirement from acting. Despite living in Manhattan and being occasionally photographed, Day-Lewis shows no signs of wanting to reveal more about his personal life.
Streaming Saturation Has Kept Day-Lewis at Bay
Through his friend and filmmaker Jim Sheridan, Day-Lewis provided a clearer message about his intentions to get back into acting. According to Sheridan, Day-Lewis has been dissuaded from making a comeback due to the current streaming era. Sheridan expressed, “He’s just like everyone else: he turns on the streamers and there are 7,000 options – none of them appealing. Film used to be a shared public experience, but now it’s been shifted into a private domain – you have a remote control, and it’s not the same feeling.”
Has Day-Lewis’ prolonged absence from Hollywood be perceived more as retirement or a deliberate protest against the present state of show business? This is an intriguing perspective, albeit challenging to confirm without a direct statement from Day-Lewis. It adds fuel to the debate that the excessive volume of streaming content might negatively impact the quality of productions – potentially depriving us of a legendary actor like Daniel Day-Lewis. However, it’s essential to remember that Day-Lewis could always make a comeback; his family commitments and personal interests outside acting are significant factors to consider. Watch Phantom Thread on AppleTV+.
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2024-07-28 04:00