Daniel Day-Lewis has won the 2013 Academy Award for Best Actor for his title role in Lincoln.
The prize is the English-born star’s record third Best Actor Oscar, after previous wins in 1989’s My Left Foot and 2007’s There Will Be Blood.
“I really don’t know how any of this happened,” said Day-Lewis.
“I do know that I have received so much more than my fair share of good fortune in my life, and I am so grateful to the Academy for this beautiful honor.
“It’s a strange thing,” Day-Lewis joked on receiving the award from Meryl Streep. “Three years ago… we decided to do a straight swap. I had actually been committed to play Margaret Thatcher, and Meryl was Steven’s first choice for… for Lincoln – and I’d like to see that version!
“Steven didn’t have to persuade me to play Lincoln, but I did have to persuade him that if I were to play Lincoln, perhaps it shouldn’t be a musical!
“My fellow nominees, my equals, my betters, I am so proud to have been included as one amongst you.”
In reference to his extreme method acting, Day-Lewis joshed: “Since we got married 16 years ago my wife Rebecca has lived with some very strange men.
“I mean, they were very strange as individuals, and probably very strange as a group… but she’s been the perfect companion to all of them.
“I’d like to thank Kathy Kennedy our producer, and through you, our mighty team of co-conspirators. At the apex of that human pyramid, there are three men to whom I owe this and a great deal more.
“Tony Kushner, our great skipper Steven Spielberg, and the mysterious mind, body and spirit of Abraham Lincoln.
“For my mother. Thank you so much. Thank you.”
