Actress. She was the mother of Academy Award-winning actor Daniel Day-Lewis and acclaimed documentary filmmaker and television chef Tamasin Day-Lewis. Born Jill Angela Henriette Balcon in Westminster, London, England, she was the daughter of movie producer Michael Balcon (1896-1977) who served as the director and chief of production for the Ealing Studios. She was educated at Roedean School in Brighton. With aspirations of becoming an actress, she would broaden her studies at the Central School of Speech and Drama. She made her big screen debut in the 1947 picture "Nicholas Nickleby," and would have further roles in the films "The Merchant of Venice" (1947), "Saraband for Dead Lovers" (1948), "The Lost People" (1949) and "Murder in the Cathedral" (1951). Beginning in the 1950's, she would become a familiar presence of British television as she appeared in such programs as "The First Churchills," "Z Cars" and "Softly Softly." In addition, she enjoyed a long and successful radio career with the BBC. She was married to the renowned poet Cecil Day-Lewis, who served as Poet Laureate of Great Britain from 1968 until 1972.
Actress. She was the mother of Academy Award-winning actor Daniel Day-Lewis and acclaimed documentary filmmaker and television chef Tamasin Day-Lewis. Born Jill Angela Henriette Balcon in Westminster, London, England, she was the daughter of movie producer Michael Balcon (1896-1977) who served as the director and chief of production for the Ealing Studios. She was educated at Roedean School in Brighton. With aspirations of becoming an actress, she would broaden her studies at the Central School of Speech and Drama. She made her big screen debut in the 1947 picture "Nicholas Nickleby," and would have further roles in the films "The Merchant of Venice" (1947), "Saraband for Dead Lovers" (1948), "The Lost People" (1949) and "Murder in the Cathedral" (1951). Beginning in the 1950's, she would become a familiar presence of British television as she appeared in such programs as "The First Churchills," "Z Cars" and "Softly Softly." In addition, she enjoyed a long and successful radio career with the BBC. She was married to the renowned poet Cecil Day-Lewis, who served as Poet Laureate of Great Britain from 1968 until 1972.
Bio by: C.S.
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Beloved wife of Cecil.
Says the heart to the mind,
Believe me.
Said the shadow to the sun,
Don't leave me.
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