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HOLLYWOOD, Feb 24, 2008 (AFP) - Daniel Day-Lewis won the second best actor Oscar of his career here Sunday, picking up the coveted award for his portrayal of a ruthless oil prospector in "There Will Be Blood."
The British-born actor, whose first Oscar came for his performance in the 1989 film "My Left Foot," had been the overwhelming favorite to claim the Oscar after sweeping top honors at several award shows this year.
Day-Lewis knelt as he received his award from British actress Helen Mirren, last year's winner for her role in "The Queen" quipping: "That's the closest I'll ever come to getting a knighthood."
"My deepest thanks to the members of the academy for whacking me with the handsomest bludgeon in town," he added.
The 50-year-old star, who is renowned for the selectiveness and intense research with which approaches each of his roles, has been nominated for an Oscar on two other occasions.
In "There Will Be Blood", Day-Lewis plays a scheming entrepreneur who sets out to build a fortune in the early days of the oil industry in turn of the century California.
Other nominees for the award on Sunday were George Clooney ("Michael Clayton"), Johnny Depp ("Sweeney Todd"), Tommy Lee Jones ("In the Valley of Elah") and Viggo Mortensen ("Eastern Promises").
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