Daniel Day-Lewis the second child of poet Cecil Day-Lewis (1904–1972) and his second wife, actress Jill Balcon (1925–2009). His older sister, Tamasin Day-Lewis (born 1953), is a television chef and food critic. His father, who was born in the Irish town of Ballintubbert, County Laois, was of Protestant Anglo-Irish descent, lived in England from the age of two, and was appointed Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom. Daniel's mother was Jewish; her ancestors were immigrants to England in the late 19th century, from Latvia and Poland. Day-Lewis' maternal grandfather, Sir Michael Balcon, became the head of Ealing Studios, helping develop the new
Eric Lewis (actor) until 1934, including 25 years as the company's principal comedian. Lewis was soon performing in the West End of London at the Royalty Theatre in April 1887 in "Ivy", and in May in a comedy entitled "A Tragedy". In June 1887, Lewis performed in a comedietta by Andrew Longmuir called "Cleverly Managed". In July 1888, he starred in another comedietta, entitled "Caught Out", by Florence Bright at St George's Hall In September of that year, he helped open the relocated New Court Theatre with a play by Sydney Grundy called "Mamma", starring Mrs. John Wood and also featuring Arthur Cecil.