Which movie role did Daniel Day-Lewis win his first Oscar for?
The fact that Daniel Day-Lewis’ first experience of being in a film was as an uncredited extra in John Schlesinger’s Oscar-nominated movie Sunday Bloody Sunday was an indication of his career to come. He might have been a teenager then, but it set the tone for his oeuvre, which has spanned many boundary-pushing and Oscar-nominated (and winning) films.
He has impressed critics for decades, with many cinema lovers considering Day-Lewis one of the greatest actors of all time. Almost all of his movies have been critically acclaimed, cementing him as a true icon of the silver screen. Following his cameo as a car vandal in Sunday Bloody Sunday, he landed a small role in one episode of the drama series Shoestring before appearing in Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi.
From there, Day-Lewis quickly landed roles in some great films, such as My Beautiful Laundrette. It proved to be his breakout performance, allowing him to earn plenty of attention from critics. He starred as Johnny, a former right-wing punk who begins a romantic relationship with Omar, a Pakistani-British young man who works in a laundrette. Establishing himself early on as an actor who was not afraid to take risks and star in controversial movies, Day-Lewis’ career seemed destined for the up.
From period dramas like A Room With a View and The Age of Innocence to dramatic epics such as The Last of the Mohicans and Gangs of New York, Day-Lewis has enjoyed a varied career. He has also been known for his method-acting techniques, which have allowed him to fully embody the characters he portrays, even if that means causing difficulties for other people on set.
Still, his decision to use method acting skills has resulted in him winning various Oscars throughout his career. He retired from the business after 2017’s Phantom Thread, only to be spotted filming for his son’s upcoming film, Anemone, which will likely be released in 2025.
So, which movie won Daniel Day-Lewis his first Oscar?
Day-Lewis won his first Oscar in 1990 for My Left Foot, in which the actor played Christy Brown, a man born with cerebral palsy. Despite his physical limitations—he could only move his left foot—Brown had a very successful life, painting many pieces of art with his left toes. Alongside his paintings, he wrote several books and got married twice.
The film details Brown’s life, with Day-Lewis going into method acting mode to get into character. This included asking to be carried around set, spoon-fed meals, and pushed in a wheelchair. While some people criticised these artistic decisions, his performance was lauded with praise, subsequently winning him his first Oscar.
My Left Foot was nominated for five Oscars, proof of its outstanding acclaim. Brenda Fricker also won ‘Best Supporting Actress’ for her role as Bridget Fagan Brown.
How many Oscars has Daniel Day-Lewis won?
Day-Lewis has made Oscar history by becoming the only star to win ‘Best Actor’ at the Academy Awards three times. He has won Oscars for My Left Foot, There Will Be Blood, and Lincoln. However, over the course of his career, Day-Lewis has been nominated for a total of six films, losing out on ‘Best Actor’ for In the Name of the Father, Gangs of New York, and Phantom Thread.
