Daniel Day-Lewis Looks Unrecognizable on Crutches After Quitting Hollywood & Moving to Village

• The iconic actor Daniel Day-Lewis was recently spotted on crutches, looking unrecognizable with his long gray hair and beard.
• Renowned for his remarkable acting prowess and methodical approach to roles, Day-Lewis's retreat from the limelight left fans curious about his new endeavors.
• From immersing himself in shoemaking to relocating with his wife to an idyllic village in Ireland, the actor's journey outside of Hollywood continues to captivate the public's attention.

Daniel Day-Lewis is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors in history. He is known for his astounding performances and unwavering commitment to his roles, often dedicating months or even years to preparation. His diverse portrayals range from a greedy oil magnate in "There Will Be Blood" to a charming couturier in "Phantom Thread."

His accolades are numerous, having clinched three Academy Awards for Best Actor, a feat only matched by Jack Nicholson, Walter Brennan, and Meryl Streep, surpassing iconic figures like Marlon Brando and Anthony Hopkins. Day-Lewis has also garnered four BAFTA Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

The Cost of Perfectionism

Despite his remarkable success both within the industry and beyond, such as being knighted by Prince William in 2014, Day-Lewis shocked and disappointed his fans when he announced his retirement from acting in 2017 after completing "Phantom Thread." Nevertheless, this decision was not entirely surprising.

Day-Lewis was never one to take on just any role that came his way. He was meticulous and devoted to his craft, diving deep into the psyche and circumstances of his characters. For example, he spent months in a wheelchair, spent eight weeks with cerebral palsy patients, and even asked the staff to feed him when he played a man with cerebral palsy in "My Left Foot," which earned him an Oscar.

He also lived in the wilderness for half a year to prepare for "The Last of the Mohicans," learned to throw heavy knives for "Gangs of New York," and built a kitchen table for "The Ballad of Jack and Rose."

During the filming of "The Ballad of Jack and Rose," Day-Lewis isolated himself from everyone else so as not to break from his character. He also trained as a boxer for a year and a half and got tattoos on both hands for "The Boxer." He explained his process as follows:

"Well, part of my job is to be drained. You absorb, and you nourish yourself. You feed yourself for whatever period of time, in this case, a year, and then your job is to more or less drain yourself for whatever it is that you have to offer."

Day-Lewis's method acting and perfectionism were unparalleled, but they also came at a high cost. He admitted that this was the only way he knew how to work. He either gave his all or nothing.

From an external perspective, Day-Lewis appeared to vanish, but he clarified that he didn't truly disappear; instead, he engaged in other activities.

His work was often lonely and hard, and he suffered from depression after finishing a project. He had trouble letting go of a character he had embodied for so long. He kept speaking in his Butcher accent for months after "Gangs of New York," and he felt detached when he watched the movie.

Some of his roles also took a toll on his physical health. He broke two ribs while playing Christy Brown in "My Left Foot" because he hunched over in a wheelchair for so long. He caught pneumonia while filming "Gangs of New York" because he refused to wear a warm coat in the cold weather. He lost 50 pounds while playing Gerry Conlon in "In the Name of the Father," because he ate only prison food.

His dedication to his roles was so immense that he experienced an unconscious, spiritual turmoil when he released a character, and it could take years for him to find closure. He said he felt a deep sadness and a surreal sensation on the last day of filming, and he was not ready to accept that it was over.

Day-Lewis’ Longing for a Private and Simple Life

Day-Lewis did not enjoy being in the public eye, unlike many other actors. He valued his privacy and his family life in Ireland, where he sometimes went to a local pub for a quiet drink by himself. He did not care about fame or popularity. He was happy to stay out of sight. He said:

"From the outside... I am, whether I like it or not, a public figure during certain periods, like now. Then I disappear, it seems."

From an external perspective, Day-Lewis appeared to vanish, but he clarified that he didn't truly disappear; instead, he engaged in other activities. He emphasized that re-engaging with life during that period was essential for him to carry out his work, stating that the two aspects were inseparable.

Day-Lewis’ Final Role

His last film, "Phantom Thread," which came out in 2017, had a profound impact on him. He became the character completely, mentally, physically, and spiritually. He learned everything about fashion design, cutting, draping, sewing, even making a Balenciaga dress by himself. He did not know it then, but this would be his final role to date.

Since choosing to live a secluded and simple life away from the glamour and fame of Hollywood, Day-Lewis has been rarely seen in public.

After this film, he felt a strong urge to stop acting for good. He had talked about quitting before, but this time it felt different. He could not explain why, but he felt an irresistible compulsion to retire.

He announced his retirement through his spokesperson, who said that it was a private decision and that he and his representatives would not comment further on this matter. He said that he felt sorrowful about leaving the film industry, but he did not know what he would do next. He only knew that he would not be idle.

He expressed a desire to explore the world in a different way, driven by passions for shoemaking and woodworking. In pursuit of his interests, he became an apprentice shoemaker under Stefano Bemer in Italy, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to everything he felt passionate about. For Day-Lewis, pursuing shoemaking as a side career might appear unusual, yet it played a crucial role in helping him maintain focus and balance.

Since choosing to live a secluded and simple life away from the glamour and fame of Hollywood, Day-Lewis has been rarely seen in public. Moving to a small village in Ireland with his wife Rebecca Miller, Day-Lewis continued to nurture his passion for shoemaking, a hobby he had developed while preparing for his role in "The Gangs of New York."

Recently, he was spotted in New York City, looking very different from his former self. He was on crutches after injuring his leg, and he had long gray hair. He was wearing a casual outfit and a baseball cap and using his signature flip phone. One tweet read:

"Daniel Day-Lewis Looks Unrecognizable in First Public Sighting in 4 Years"

The 'unrecognizable' appearance reflected his preference for a low-key life away from the spotlight, which he seemed to thoroughly enjoy.