After winning the gold statuette for best actor, Daniel Day-Lewis answered questions from reporters backstage at the 2013 Academy Awards.
He covered everything from his beard in the film to his future projects. Here’s the rundown:
What was the most annoying part about wearing that beard throughout the whole filming? Was it uncomfortable for you?
No, it was just a beard. It was a little bit scratchy now and then, but no, it was just a beard. It was mine. It was my very own beard.
Is there anyone, in particular, that you want to portray in the future?
I can’t think of anyone right now, because I need to lie down for a couple of years. No, I can’t think of any. I really can’t, no. It’s really hard to imagine doing anything after this.
You mentioned that your wife has dealt with so many different men throughout your marriage. Which one of those men gave her the most trouble, in your opinion?
She knew how to handle all of them in their own particular way.
Have you been able to come out of character now?
I’m definitely out of character at this moment. If I slip back into it by mistake, you can do an intervention of some kind, Heimlich maneuver or whatever, if I get stuck in character. No, I’m definitely out of character now.
You had so many acceptance speeches, so varied, and they’ve all been so eloquent.
Thank you.
Is anybody helping you with these?
I wish, I wish. No, no, they haven’t. They haven’t. But if you can’t find your own words to say in situations like this, I think that would be a little sad, wouldn’t it? Personally, I have to say that is so sweet of you to say that, but I kind of love it when people are completely inarticulate with their speeches, and it says the same thing in a different way.
You have an Irish passport, you have a British passport. In which way will you celebrate, the Irish way or the British way?
Just give me a brief synopsis of what the difference is.
I’ve had some piss ups in Ireland.
I’ll bet you’ve had a few in England, as well.
This is true. Give us an idea of how you will celebrate.
I’m happy with either one personally. I guess I’ll do it L.A. style.
Did you get any grief for the fact that you’re a non American actor playing an American president?
Well, I got plenty of grief from myself starting with imagining doing it. I mean, it certainly had a paralyzing quality if we got it wrong, which was perfectly possible, quite likely even, that I might not be able to show my face in this country again. So, yeah. But grief from the outside? Not yet, no.
I don’t think so after tonight. So congratulations.
Thanks very much.
Leave a Reply