20 Most Influential Actors Of All Time

Where to start with Sir Daniel Day-Lewis? Despite a career that truly began in the '80s and ended with his 2017 retirement, Day-Lewis actually has a small filmography to his name. Very particular about the roles he chooses, this Thespian never once put out a poor performance over his career, and has a lot to show for it.

His intensity on screen is nearly unrivalled, and his commitment to his roles is one of the most extreme examples of method acting Hollywood has ever seen. Often, it was reported that Day-Lewis would stay in character throughout an entire shoot, and he would go to such extreme lengths to fully embody his role that his health would begin to suffer for it.

Winning three Academy Awards for Best Actor, however, shows that it was all worth it. Thanks to incredibly meticulous performances in films like Lincoln, There Will Be Blood, My Left Foot, Gangs of New York and his last film, Phantom Thread, Day-Lewis is often regarded as one of the greatest actors of all time, and certainly one with the most praise.

His intensity and selective nature can be summed up: since 1997, he appeared in only six films, all of which were critically lauded and are some of his best roles. He's the living embodiment of quality over quantity, and his near-perfect career is a testament to his passion and commitment to his craft, which has not wavered with even one role. Here's to hoping he enjoys retirement.