Daniel Day-Lewis breaks out of retirement to honour Martin Scorsese

Daniel Day-Lewis broke out of his retirement for a rare appearance on Thursday, January 11, to honour director Martin Scorsese at the National Board of Review Awards Gala.

The 66-year-actor, who retired from acting in 2017, attended the National Board of Review Awards Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City to give the best director award to his longtime friend and collaborator, Scorsese.

In his speech honouring the Killers of the Flower Moon director, Day-Lewis, who worked in Scorsese’s The Age of Innocence and Gangs of New York, said: “Martin's work — with the light of his own making — he illuminated unknown worlds that pulsed with the dangerous, irresistible energy, worlds that were mysterious to me and utterly enthralling.”

He continued: “He illuminated the vast beautiful landscape of what is possible in film, and he clarified for me what it is that one must ask of oneself, to work in faith.”

Day-Lewis also looked back at his experience of working with Scorsese, saying, “One of the greatest joys and most unexpected privileges of my life was to find myself one day working with him.”

“I'm grateful to the National Board of Review for so justly recognizing the supreme, inimitable artistry of this mighty man. To every person that works in the crucible of the imagination, he's a living treasure,” he added, showering praise on the filmmaker.

Concluding his speech, Day-Lewis, “As a man and as a filmmaker, I love and revere him. For his devastating telling of the story of the Killers of the Flower Moon, best director award goes to Martin Scorsese.”

Daniel Day-Lewis retirement

Daniel Day-Lewis retired from acting in 2017, following an illustrious career during which he worked with some of the biggest filmmakers in Hollywood, including Scorsese.

A testament to his career is that fact that he is the first actor to win three Oscars in the prestigious Best Actor category – he won the coveted award for his roles in 1989's My Left Foot, 2007's There Will Be Blood, and 2012's Lincoln.

Following his retirement, Day-Lewis has largely kept a low profile, and rarely seen in public. However, he was spotted out on crutches back in June, 2023, however, his reps declined to comment on why he was on crutches at the time.