Biography
Who is Damian Lewis?
Early life and background
Damian Lewis Watcyn Lewis was born on February 11, 1971, in St John's Wood, London. He grew up as the eldest son of Charlotte Mary Bowater and John Watcyn Lewis, and attended independent schools including Ashdown House School and Eton College. During his childhood, he made several trips to the United States during summer breaks to visit relatives. He decided to pursue an acting career at the age of sixteen.
Following his secondary education, Damian attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1993. Before achieving prominence on television, he worked various jobs, including a period as a telemarketer selling car alarms.
Acting career highlights
Damian initially worked as a stage actor with the Royal Shakespeare Company, taking on roles in productions such as Little Eyolf, Cymbeline, and Hamlet. His performance in Hamlet caught the attention of filmmaker Steven Spielberg, who subsequently cast him as U.S. Army Major Richard Winters in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers. This role required him to adopt an American accent for the first time in his career.
He gained further international recognition for portraying U.S. Marine Sergeant Nicholas Brody in the Showtime series Homeland, a role that earned him a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award. Later, he starred as billionaire financial manager Bobby Axelrod in the Showtime series Billions across multiple seasons. His film credits also include appearances in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, The Escapist, and Will.
Music career and ventures
In addition to acting, Damian pursued a long-standing ambition to become a musician, collaborating with jazz artist Giacomo Smith to write new material. He released his debut single, Down On the Bowery, in April 2023, followed by his debut album titled Mission Creep through Decca Records later that same year. In July 2023, he performed the national anthem at the British Grand Prix accompanied by a saxophonist.
Throughout his career, Damian has also participated in charitable ventures. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he and his late wife Helen McCrory supported Feed NHS, a fundraiser that provided meals from restaurants to healthcare workers. He has also played in charity football events like Soccer Aid for England.
Family and personal life
Damian married actress Helen McCrory on July 4, 2007, and the couple had two children together, named Manon and Gulliver. Helen McCrory passed away from cancer in April 2021. Since 2022, Damian has been in a relationship with singer Alison Mosshart. He is known to be a supporter of the Premier League football club Liverpool.
Birthday and age
Damian Lewis was born on February 11, 1971, which makes Damian 55 years old today. That birthday falls under the Aquarius sign. Damian shares the date with 33 other famous people.
Explore more
