Actor Daniel Day-Lewis is known for his extreme commitment to any role that he takes. The actor has won three Oscars for Best Actor due to his highly acclaimed and emotional performances. The Lincoln star only featured in a handful of films near the end of his career, with his apparent last film being Paul Thomas Anderson’s Phantom Thread.
For an actor who is so revered and has won such huge acclaim, it is surprising to know that Day-Lewis retired multiple times during his career, with his exit from showbiz after Phantom Thread touted to be permanent. The sudden change in his lifestyle, where he has reportedly resorted to shoe-making, has baffled noted podcaster Joe Rogan.
Daniel Day-Lewis’ Legendary Career And Artistic Persona
Daniel Day-Lewis is often considered to be one of the greatest actors of all time. This monicker has been given to him due to his highly acclaimed performances and versatility. An acclaimed stage actor even before his film pursuits, the actor has won three Academy Awards for Best Actor and has won four BAFTAs and two Golden Globes.
Day-Lewis is known for his extreme commitment to his characters. Many directors have spoken about how they don’t go to set with Daniel Day-Lewis, but with the characters he plays. The actor reportedly requested a year from director Steven Spielberg to prepare for the role of Abraham Lincoln in Lincoln, at the end of which he transformed himself.
Director Martin Scorsese, who has worked with him in The Age of Innocence and Gangs of New York mentioned working with the actor in a GQ interview,
“And Daniel Day’s a very intense and very specific actor. And what I love about working with him is that Daniel has a thing where if he starts, he stays in that character. People think it’s kind of a mystique, but it makes sense. And also ’cause if I’m talking to Bill the Butcher and in between takes it’s Daniel, I’m still talking to Bill.”
The actor is noted for going to extreme lengths to stay in character. He was reportedly struck with pneumonia while filming Gangs of New York but reportedly refused modern medicine as the film was set in the 1800s. He also lived without electricity and did not take a bath for the film The Crucible, which was again a period piece.
Daniel Day-Lewis Is Reportedly A Shoe-Maker After His Retirement From Acting
Despite going to such extreme lengths for his art, Daniel Day-Lewis announced his retirement from acting after his appearance in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Phantom Thread. The actor was already extremely selective about his projects, sometimes taking as much as five years between projects.
The actor had once taken a semi-retirement after starring in the film The Boxer and had moved to Florence. Day-Lewis reportedly took up an apprenticeship with a shoemaker during this time and also worked on his long-term passion for woodworking. The actor has completely exited showbiz after his appearance in Thomas Anderson’s film.
Popular podcaster Joe Rogan seemed to be surprised by the actor’s decision to exit the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. In an episode of his Joe Rogan Experience podcast, the former TV host expressed his admiration and surprise at the legendary actor’s decision,
“[Daniel Day-Lewis] is retired. Do you know what he does now? He makes shoes…He’s a cobbler. He makes shoes by hand…I would fly to wherever the f*ck he is and get a shoe made by him…Does he have a company? I know he makes shoes but what does he do with these godda*n shoes?”
The noted podcaster went on to appreciate Daniel Day-Lewis’ commitment to his craft and his off-screen persona.
