Daniel Day-Lewis Clarifies Retirement Comments, Returns to Screen in Son’s Film

Daniel Day-Lewis speaks onstage during the National Board Of Review 2024 Awards Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City on Jan. 11, 2024. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for National Board of Review

Daniel Day-Lewis says he never truly meant to leave acting, despite his announcement in 2017 that he was stepping away from the profession.

“Looking back on it now—I would have done well to just keep my mouth shut, for sure,” the “Lincoln” star told “Rolling Stone” on Sept. 10. “It just seems like such grandiose gibberish to talk about. I never intended to retire, really. I just stopped doing that particular type of work so I could do some other work.”

The three-time Academy Award winner explained that his withdrawal from Hollywood was less a permanent retirement and more a break.

“Apparently, I’ve been accused of retiring twice now,” he said. “I never meant to retire from anything! I just wanted to work on something else for a while.”

Day-Lewis, now 68, last appeared in Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Phantom Thread” (2017), a role for which he earned his sixth Oscar nomination. At the time, his representative released a statement saying he would no longer act, without elaborating on the reasons.

“Daniel Day-Lewis will no longer be working as an actor. He is immensely grateful to all of his collaborators and audiences over the many years,” a statement sent to Variety read. “This is a private decision and neither he nor his representatives will make any further comment on this subject.”

His return to the screen comes with “Anemone,” a new film written by Day-Lewis and his son, Ronan Day-Lewis, who directed the project. Set for release in October, the drama also features Samantha Morton and Sean Bean and centers on the ties between fathers, sons, and brothers.

Day-Lewis said his decision to participate was driven by a desire to collaborate with his son.

“I had some residual sadness because I knew Ronan was going to go on to make films, and I was walking away from that,” he said. “I thought, wouldn’t it be lovely if we could do something together.”

Born in London in 1957, Day-Lewis is the son of poet laureate Cecil Day-Lewis and actress Jill Balcon. He studied at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School before beginning his career on stage and in British television. His first significant film role came in 1985’s “My Beautiful Laundrette,” followed by “A Room With a View” that same year.

He went on to build a reputation for complete immersion in his roles, an approach that defined his career. He won Academy Awards for 1989’s “My Left Foot,” 2007’s “There Will Be Blood,” and 2012’s “Lincoln,” making him the only actor to win three Oscars for best actor.

His other acclaimed films include 1992’s “The Last of the Mohicans,” 1993’s “In the Name of the Father,” 1997’s “The Boxer,” and 2002’s “Gangs of New York.”

“Anemone” marks his first screen role in eight years.