The 85th annual Academy Awards took place on Feb. 24, 2013, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Here is what this Oscar winner said backstage in the Academy Awards press room.
DANIEL DAY LEWIS
Best Actor
What was the most annoying part about wearing that beard throughout the whole filming of “Lincoln”? Was it uncomfortable for you?
What do you mean "wearing it"?
Was it real?
Do you wear your own hair? 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 have 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’re a Method actor who is in character 24 hours a day when you’re doing a role. You mentioned that your wife has dealt with so many different men that you’ve portrayed 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 speeches?
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'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 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. But grief from the outside? Not yet, no.
Not after tonight. Congratulations.
Thanks very much.
For more info: Academy Awards website
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