Danny Boyle facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Danny Boyle
Boyle in 2019
Born	Daniel Francis Boyle (1956-10-20) 20 October 1956 (age 68) Radcliffe, Lancashire, England
Alma mater	Thornleigh Salesian College University College of North Wales
Occupation	Director producer
Years active	1980–present
Awards	Full list

Daniel Francis Boyle (born October 20, 1956) is a famous English director and producer of movies, television shows, and plays. As a director, he guides the actors and the film crew to bring a story to life. As a producer, he helps manage the project and its budget. He is known for making many different kinds of movies, from exciting dramas to science fiction adventures.

His first movie, Shallow Grave (1994), was a big hit and won a major British film award. He then directed Trainspotting (1996), a movie about a group of young friends in Scotland. It became one of the most famous British films ever made.

One of his most celebrated films is Slumdog Millionaire (2008). It tells the story of a young man from the slums of Mumbai, India, who gets a chance to win a fortune on a game show. The movie won eight Academy Awards, including the Best Director award for Boyle.

His other well-known movies include the adventure film The Beach (2000), the zombie thriller 28 Days Later (2002), the space adventure Sunshine (2007), the survival story 127 Hours (2010), and the biographical film Steve Jobs (2015).

In 2012, Boyle had the special job of being the artistic director for the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. The show was a huge success. He was later offered a knighthood, a high honor from the Queen, but he turned it down. He said he believes in "being an equal citizen."

Early Life and School

Daniel Francis Boyle was born in Radcliffe, a town near Manchester, England. His parents were from Ireland. He has a twin sister, Marie, and a younger sister, Bernadette.

He grew up in a working-class Catholic family and was an altar boy. For a while, his mother hoped he would become a priest. However, when he was 14, a priest encouraged him to follow his interest in drama instead. Boyle later said he felt there was a connection between being a priest and being a director, as both involve storytelling and guiding people.

Boyle went to Thornleigh Salesian College and later studied English and drama at the University College of North Wales (now Bangor University). In college, he directed many plays for the student drama club.

Career Journey

After graduating, Boyle started his career in the theater before moving into television and finally, film.

Starting in Theater and TV

Boyle (back row, third from right) with the cast of The Children's Monologues in London, 2010.

Boyle first worked for theater companies like the Royal Court Theatre, where he directed several plays. In 1987, he began working in television for the BBC. He directed episodes of popular shows like Inspector Morse and other TV films.

In 2011, he returned to the theater to direct a famous play called Frankenstein for the National Theatre in London. The play was so popular that it was broadcast live in movie theaters around the world.

Directing Amazing Movies

Boyle's love for movies was sparked when he saw the film Apocalypse Now. He said it "sandblasted" his brain with the power of cinema.

Breakthrough with Shallow Grave and Trainspotting

Boyle's first movie was Shallow Grave. It was a huge success in Britain and won an award for Best British Film. This success allowed him to make his next film, Trainspotting. These two movies were seen as fresh and exciting, and they helped make British cinema popular again in the 1990s.

Big Hits in the 2000s

Boyle at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2008.

In 2000, Boyle directed The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. He then worked with writer Alex Garland on the scary and thrilling film 28 Days Later, about a virus that turns people into zombie-like creatures.

His biggest success came in 2008 with Slumdog Millionaire. The movie was a worldwide hit and won eight Academy Awards, including Best Director for Boyle. The film also won seven BAFTA Awards. Some people criticized the film for its portrayal of poverty in India. However, Boyle said he wanted to show the country's "lust for life" and strength.

More Acclaimed Films in the 2010s

The film team of T2 Trainspotting at a film festival in 2017.

In 2010, Boyle directed 127 Hours, a true story about a hiker who gets trapped by a boulder and must find a way to survive. The film was praised by critics and received six Academy Award nominations.

He later directed Steve Jobs (2015), a movie about the founder of Apple Inc.. In 2017, he directed T2 Trainspotting, a sequel to his famous 1996 film. In 2019, he directed Yesterday, a comedy about a world where only one man remembers The Beatles.

The 28 Years Later Trilogy

In 2025, Boyle released 28 Years Later, the third film in the series that began with 28 Days Later. The movie is the first part of a new trilogy set in the same post-apocalyptic world.

Personal Life

Boyle lives in London and has three children. He has said that he is a republican, which means he believes the United Kingdom should be a republic with an elected head of state instead of a monarchy.

Charity Work

Boyle helped start a charity called Dramatic Need in 2007. The charity used drama and art to help young people in Rwanda and South Africa who had experienced difficult times. He is also a patron, or special supporter, of a charity in his hometown that helps young people.

Awards and Recognition

Danny Boyle is considered one of the most important and creative directors in British film. He has won many awards for his work, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and several BAFTA Awards.

In 2012, the artist Sir Peter Blake included Boyle in a new version of The Beatles' famous Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover. The artwork celebrated important British cultural figures.

Images for kids

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  Boyle speaking before the 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony.

See also

In Spanish: Danny Boyle para niños