Daniel Day-Lewis holds record of winning best actor Oscar three times

Daniel Day-Lewis at the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles.John Shearer/Invision/AP

LOS ANGELES — Daniel Day-Lewis has won the Academy Award for best actor for his exactingly authentic performance as President Abraham Lincoln in Steven Spielberg’s historical drama.

He is the first ever to win the best actor Oscar three times. He’s been nominated five times, winning for “My Left Foot” in 1990 and “There Will Be Blood” in 2008.

In this undated publicity photo provided by DreamWorks and Twentieth Century Fox shows Daniel Day-Lewis as President Abraham Lincoln. (AP Photo/DreamWorks, Twentieth Century Fox, David James, File)

The British actor spent a year preparing for “Lincoln,” and, in his customary method, remained in character during the production. His widely-expected Oscar win further cements his status as the most admired actor currently working.

The other nominees Sunday night were Bradley Cooper (“Silver Linings Playbook”), Hugh Jackman (“Les Miserables”), Joaquin Phoenix (“The Master”) and Denzel Washington (“Flight”).

The 85th Academy Awards are airing live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles with host Seth MacFarlane.