He won an Oscar for his portrayal of Abraham Lincoln at the Academy Awards on Sunday. And it seems Daniel Day-Lewis really was born to play the role, at least judging by a newly uncovered school photo of the actor. The image shows the three-time Oscar winner looking astonishingly like a younger Lincoln when he took part in a school play at the age of 16. Taken in 1973, the picture shows Daniel who is now 55 sporting similar facial hair to his recent character as well as the same comb over hair style while playing a Russian soldier in Chekhov’s Three Sisters. But what is most remarkable is that at such a tender age he had already mastered the same facial expression which captures the same gravity and sadness of his situation, as well as quiet frustration. His teacher at the time, John Batstone has told The Sun: ‘It was quite a demanding part but he played it superbly.’ The 80-year-old also recalled that Daniel was ‘a jolly nice boy with a wild side’ during his time at Bedales School, Steep, Hants. He added: ‘I could tell he was a very talented and gifted young man.’ And gifted he certainly is as his most recent role in the Lincoln biopic meant he won his third Oscar. The talented actor, who is famous for his ‘method acting’ approach, previously won Best Actor Oscars for My Left Foot in 1990 and There Will Be Blood in 2007. Speaking on Sunday he said: ‘I really don’t know how any of this happened. I do know I’ve received much more than my fair share of good fortune in my life.’ Day-Lewis was praised for his humorous acceptance prize upon winning for his role in Steven Spielberg’s play. As he collected the award from fellow former Oscar winner Meryl Streep, Day-Lewis joked: ‘It’s strange because, three years ago, before we decided to do a straight swap, I had actually been committed to play Margaret Thatcher and Meryl was Steven’s first choice for Lincoln. I’d have liked to see that version!’ During his speech, Day-Lewis also paid tribute to ‘beautiful mind, body and spirit of Abraham Lincoln’ and his wife Rebecca Miller, who he said had ‘lived with some very strange men’ during the course of their 16-year marriage. When asked backstage if there is anyone else he would like to play, the British actor said: ‘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.’
