Daniel Day-Lewis Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Is Daniel Day-Lewis’ Net Worth and Salary?

With a net worth of $40 million, Daniel Day-Lewis is an English actor renowned as one of the greatest in history. Celebrated for his intense approach to method acting and selective choices in roles, he has participated in a limited number of films yet has significantly impacted cinema.

Beginning his career on stage and in British television, Day-Lewis transitioned to film, gaining recognition with “My Beautiful Laundrette” and “A Room with a View” in 1985. He achieved international fame for his portrayal in “My Left Foot” (1989), which earned him his first Academy Award for Best Actor. Over his career, Day-Lewis showcased remarkable performances in various films, including “The Last of the Mohicans,” “In the Name of the Father,” and “Gangs of New York.” He went on to secure two additional Oscars for Best Actor with “There Will Be Blood” (2007) and “Lincoln” (2012), making him the only male actor to receive three Academy Awards in this category.

Day-Lewis was distinguished for his thorough preparation and complete immersion in his characters. His final performance before retirement appeared in “Phantom Thread” (2017), which earned him his sixth Oscar nomination. Shortly thereafter, he declared his retirement from acting, leaving behind a legacy characterized by unparalleled performances and artistic integrity.

Early Life

Born Daniel Michael Blake Day-Lewis on April 29, 1957, in Kensington, London, England, Daniel Day-Lewis began his acting journey under the influence of his mother, actress Jill Balcon. His father, Cecil Day-Lewis, hailed from Ireland, granting Daniel dual citizenship in both Britain and Ireland. In 1968, he was enrolled in a boarding school, later attending Sevenoaks School in Kent. Discontent with his schooling after two years, he shifted to Bedales in Petersfield, Hampshire, where his sister was also a student. In 1972, he experienced the loss of his father to pancreatic cancer.

Early Career

At the age of 13, he made his film debut in “Sunday, Bloody Sunday” (1971). After grasping the basics, Day-Lewis honed his acting talent through stage performances in plays by Shakespeare, Marlowe, and Farquer during his schooling. He was eventually accepted into the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, an ideal venue for mastering engagement with complex characters and displaying their psychological and physical transformations on stage. Throughout the ’80s, Day-Lewis worked in theater and television, appearing in minor roles in “Frost in May,” “How Many Miles to Babylon?,” and making his first film appearance since his debut in a small part in “Gandhi” (1982). Later that same year, he found significant success on stage, taking the lead in “Another Country.” He joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1984, portraying principal roles in “Romeo and Juliet” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

Success

Daniel’s performances in “My Beautiful Laundrette” (1985) and “The Unbearable Lightness of Being” (1988) marked his first major recognition. In “My Beautiful Laundrette,” he portrayed a young gay Englishman involved in an interracial relationship with a Pakistani man, a film that ranks #50 on BFI’s list of the 100 greatest British films of the 20th century. His appearance in “A Room with a View” in 1985 also contributed to his rising prominence. Continuing to refine his unique acting methods, he gained considerable acclaim in 1989 for his role as Christy Brown in “My Left Foot,” a performance that earned him multiple awards. To prepare for this challenging role, he frequently visited Sandymount School Clinic in Dublin to observe patients with various disabilities in order to

character with cerebral palsy.” Daniel aimed to portray this role with the utmost authenticity.

His next significant role came in 1992 when he featured in the American film “The Last of the Mohicans.” Daniel’s extensive character research and commitment to method acting attracted media attention, as he underwent intense training to adopt the lifestyle of his character by camping, hunting, and fishing. In 1996, he undertook a role in the film adaptation of Arthur Miller’s play, “The Crucible,” which was followed by his performance in “The Boxer.” Once again, he deeply engaged in the role, attending live boxing matches and observing various training techniques. After “The Boxer,” Daniel stepped back from acting, entering semi-retirement. He relocated to Florence, where he dedicated himself to woodworking and shoe-making.

(Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

With a remarkable comeback, Day-Lewis returned to the screen in 2002’s “Gangs of New York,” where he acted opposite Leonardo DiCaprio under the direction of Martin Scorsese. In 2007, he featured in the film that likely remains his most recognized work, “There Will Be Blood,” earning substantial acclaim and winning the Oscar for Best Actor along with numerous other accolades. His subsequent role in Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln” in 2012 involved a year of dedicated preparation, during which he read over 100 books on Abraham Lincoln and collaborated extensively with makeup artists to refine his appearance. He was also determined to master Lincoln’s voice, speaking in his accent throughout filming and instructing British crew members not to speak with him to maintain his focus. Once again, Daniel’s portrayal received glowing reviews. Following the success of “Lincoln,” Day-Lewis decided to take another hiatus from acting, spending five years in a Georgian farmhouse in County Wicklow, Ireland, before making a return to the film industry.

After his time in Ireland, he went on to star in Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2017 drama “Phantom Thread,” which was set in the 1950s London. Although he announced his retirement from acting in June 2017, many continue to hold out hope that he may return. Today, Daniel Day-Lewis is often celebrated by critics and publications as one of the greatest actors in cinematic history.

Accolades

For his brilliant performances in “My Left Foot” (1989), “There Will Be Blood” (2007), and “Lincoln” (2012), he has been awarded Oscars for Best Actor. Additionally, he received nominations for “In the Name of the Father” (1993), “Gangs of New York” (2012), and “Phantom Thread” (2017). Daniel Day-Lewis stands out as the first male actor to achieve three Oscars for leading roles. He has also been honored with two Golden Globes for Best Actor and has received a total of six nominations. In November 2012, he was presented with the BAFTA Britannia Award for Excellence in Film. That month, he was featured in “Time” magazine as “The World’s Greatest Actor.”

Personal Life

Over the years, Daniel Day-Lewis has demonstrated his dedication to acting by fully immersing himself in his roles while maintaining a high level of privacy regarding his personal life, often leaning towards seclusion. He had a six-year relationship with actress Isabelle Adjani, and in April 1995, they welcomed their son, Gabriel-Kane Day-Lewis, into the world after their…

split. During the following year, while working on “The Crucible,” he had a visit to Arthur Miller’s home. There he encountered Arthur’s daughter, Rebecca Miller, and chemistry sparked between them. Their wedding took place in November 1996. The couple is blessed with two sons, Ronan Cal Day-Lewis, and Cashel Blake Day-Lewis. They split their time between residences in Ireland and Manhattan.