Daniel Day-Lewis
Day-Lewis is an English actor well known for his intensive method technique, often spending months researching and preparing for roles and endeavoring to remain in character for the entirety of a film’s production. Most famously, he spent the entire production of My Left Foot (1989) confined to a wheelchair to portray cerebral palsy-afflicted artist Christy Brown. Day-Lewis won the Academy Award for Best Actor for the performance in My Left Foot, as well as two more for There Will Be Blood and Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln (2012). In recent years, Day-Lewis has become extremely selective about his roles, only appearing in three films since There Will Be Blood, most recently reuniting with director Paul Thomas Anderson on 2017’s Phantom Thread. In the lead up to that film’s release, Day-Lewis announced his retirement from acting.
Paul Dano
Paul and Eli Sunday were not originally intended to be identical twins, merely fraternal siblings. Kel O’Neill had originally been cast as Eli with Dano in the significantly smaller role of Paul. However, shortly into production, O’Neill left the film for reasons that remain unclear, and Anderson cast Dano as both brothers. The fate turned out to be providential as Dano—despite having only about a week to prepare for the vital role of Eli—turned in a standout performance which effectively launched his career. He had previously had a well-regarded supporting performance in Little Miss Sunshine (2006) and would go on to feature prominently in films such as Meek’s Cutoff (2010), Looper (2012), 12 Years a Slave (2013), Prisoners (2013), and Love and Mercy (2014). In 2018, he made his directorial debut with the film Wildlife.
Dillon Feasier
Freasier is a Texas native who was cast by Anderson based on his proximity to and comfort with rural, ranch-style living. Though he received plaudits for his debut performance, he has not pursued acting since There Will Be Blood, and as of this writing the film remains his only role.
Kevin J. O'Connor
O’Connor is a veteran character actor who typically plays small supporting roles in genre films such as The Mummy (1999), Van Helsing (2004), and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009). He worked with Anderson again in a small role in The Master (2012).
Ciarán Hinds
Hinds is a prolific Irish theater and film actor who has played numerous supporting roles in film and television while starring in many high profile theatrical productions. He came into prominence after playing one of the lead roles in the original production of Patrick Marber’s play Closer. Other notable roles Hinds has played include Julius Caesar in HBO’s Rome, Carl in Steven Spielberg’s Munich (2006), and Mance Rayder in HBO’s Game of Thrones.
Russell Harvard
Like Freasier, Harvard is a native Texan. He was born deaf and studied theater arts at Gallaudet University in Washington D.C., a school for the deaf and hard of hearing. While enrolled, he auditioned for the part of adult H.W. and landed the part. After his work on There Will Be Blood, he starred in the film The Hammer, the true story of a deaf collegiate wrestling champion, the play Tribes, and the TV show Fargo. When not acting, he teaches theater at the Texas School for the Deaf.
David Willis
Willis is best known for his work in There Will Be Blood, but has more frequently gained supporting roles in film and television in recent years.
Hans Howes
Howes was a career supporting actor who has played small roles in a number of films and TV shows including NYPD Blue, Cold Case, and True Blood. He is best known for his work in There Will Be Blood. He passed away in 2015.
Sydney McCallister
To date, There Will Be Blood is McCallister’s only acting role.
David Warshofsky
Warshofsky is a veteran character actor who has made brief appearances in many TV shows and films since the late 1980s, including Law & Order, ER, and The Sopranos, among many others. He played a supporting role in Lincoln, reuniting him with Day-Lewis.
