Day-Lewis Reveals His Most Coveted Oscar Loss
The three-time Academy Award winner opens up about the one performance he desperately hoped would earn him recognition, sharing his heartfelt words about the experience.
In Hollywood's elite circle, few achievements carry more weight than an Academy Award. Katharine Hepburn remains the undisputed champion with four wins spanning from 1933 to 1981. Just six performers have managed three victories, and among this exclusive group stands Daniel Day-Lewis, whose journey to Oscar glory began in 1989.
The Method Behind the Madness
Day-Lewis first claimed the golden statue for "My Left Foot," where he portrayed Christy Brown, an artist who created works using only his foot due to disability. True to his reputation for extreme method acting, Day-Lewis insisted crew members carry him around set and feed him meals by hand. While this approach frustrated many on set, the commitment paid off spectacularly.
The win launched Day-Lewis into Hollywood's upper echelon during the 1990s. He carefully selected prestigious projects like "The Age of Innocence," "In the Name of the Father," and "The Last of the Mohicans." Each role seemed to position him as a serious Oscar contender, though he faced disappointment when Tom Hanks beat him for "In the Name of the Father."
The Role That Got Away
By 2002, Day-Lewis found himself in Martin Scorsese's ambitious "Gangs of New York" alongside Leonardo DiCaprio. The historical crime epic earned ten Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Day-Lewis. This time felt different – he genuinely believed this could be his second win.
The competition was fierce: Jack Nicholson, Nicolas Cage, Michael Caine, and Adrien Brody all vied for the same prize. Ultimately, Brody took home the award for "The Pianist," leaving Day-Lewis empty-handed once again. Despite already having one Oscar, the loss stung.
Hope and Disappointment
Before the ceremony, Day-Lewis shared his feelings with the Los Angeles Daily News: "It would be a delight. I wouldn't pretend not to be thrilled about it, but more than anything, my fingers are crossed for Martin." He added, "I don't know if it will happen this year, but that would give me as much pleasure as anything."
Unfortunately, Scorsese also lost that night to Roman Polanski, who directed Brody in "The Pianist." However, Day-Lewis's Oscar drought wouldn't last forever. He secured his second and third wins for "There Will Be Blood" and "Lincoln," though "Phantom Thread" didn't bring him a fourth. With his upcoming return in "Anemone," perhaps he'll challenge Hepburn's record after all.