He was an extra in a film nominated for four Oscars 54 years ago and is now one of the greatest actors in history
In 1971, a teenage Day-Lewis had a small part in a controversial TV drama. No one could have imagined the immeasurable talent of that young extra.
Long before Daniel Day-Lewis became a titan of cinema, he made a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it debut in the 1971 British drama Sunday Bloody Sunday. At just 13 or 14 years old, he played a mischievous teen who casually scratched up parked cars with his friends. When a younger boy caught him in the act, Day-Lewis simply looked away and walked off. He had no formal acting training, wasn’t credited in the film, and yet—this fleeting moment marked the quiet beginning of one of the most extraordinary careers in movie history.
From stage school to Oscar royalty
After that early appearance, Day-Lewis enrolled at the prestigious Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, where he honed his craft. He spent the early ’80s bouncing between television roles and stage performances before landing small parts in major films like Gandhi (1982) and The Bounty (1984).
But it was 1985 that changed everything. With standout performances in My Beautiful Laundrette and A Room with a View, critics began to take notice of his intense commitment and transformative style—hallmarks of his now-famous method acting.
Day-Lewis quickly earned a reputation for being highly selective, choosing roles that were emotionally complex and often physically demanding. He remains the only actor in history to win three Academy Awards for Best Actor, thanks to his unforgettable performances in My Left Foot, There Will Be Blood, and Lincoln. He’s also been nominated three additional times for In the Name of the Father, Gangs of New York, and Phantom Thread.
Other standout films in his catalog include The Last of the Mohicans, The Age of Innocence, and the musical Nine. Each role showcases his uncanny ability to disappear into character, often undergoing extreme physical and emotional preparation.
A comeback worth waiting for
After stepping away from acting in 2017, Day-Lewis is set to return to the big screen in Anemone, a family drama directed by his son, Ronan Day-Lewis. The film celebrated its world premiere at last month’s New York Film Festival, and went on general release in US theaters on October 3. Anticipation is already building for what could be another masterclass in performance.
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