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	University College of North Wales (now Bangor University)
Occupation	Director producer
Years active	1980–present
Awards	Full list

Daniel Francis Boyle (born 20 October 1956) is a famous English director and producer. He is well-known for making many popular films. Some of his most famous movies include Shallow Grave (1994), Trainspotting (1996), The Beach (2000), 28 Days Later (2002), and Slumdog Millionaire (2008).

His first film, Shallow Grave, won a BAFTA Award for Best British Film. The British Film Institute even called Trainspotting one of the top 10 greatest British films of the 20th century!

In 2008, Danny Boyle's movie Slumdog Millionaire was a huge success. It won eight Academy Awards, including the Academy Award for Best Director for him. He also won a Golden Globe and a BAFTA Award for Best Director for it. Later, he was nominated for two more Academy Awards for his work on 127 Hours.

In 2012, Danny Boyle was the artistic director for the amazing 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony in London. He was offered a special honour called a knighthood afterwards, but he politely turned it down. He believes that everyone should be equal citizens.

Early Life and Education

Danny Francis Boyle was born on 20 October 1956, in Radcliffe, England. His parents, Frank and Annie Boyle, were from County Galway in Ireland. He has a twin sister named Marie and a younger sister named Bernadette. Both of his sisters are teachers.

Danny Boyle grew up in a Catholic family. He was an altar boy for eight years. His mother hoped he would become a priest. However, when he was 14, a priest suggested he try drama instead. Soon after, he started acting and directing plays. He feels there's a connection between directing and being a priest, saying both involve "telling people what to think."

Boyle went to Thornleigh Salesian College, a Catholic school in Bolton. He later studied English and drama at the University College of North Wales, which is now Bangor University. While there, he directed many plays for the student drama club.

Career in Theatre and TV

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

After finishing university, Danny Boyle started his career in theatre. He worked with the Joint Stock Theatre Company. In 1982, he moved to the Royal Court Theatre, where he directed plays like The Genius and Saved. He also directed five plays for the famous Royal Shakespeare Company.

In 1987, Boyle began working in television. He became a producer for BBC Northern Ireland. He produced TV films, including Alan Clarke's Elephant. He also directed episodes for popular shows like Inspector Morse.

In 1993, Boyle was in charge of the BBC Two series Mr. Wroe's Virgins. He also directed two TV films for the BBC in 2001.

In 2011, he directed a play called Frankenstein for the National Theatre. This play was even shown in cinemas!

The Children's Monologues

On 14 November 2010, Danny Boyle directed a special one-night play. It was called The Children's Monologues. Many famous actors like Sir Ben Kingsley and Benedict Cumberbatch starred in it. The play raised money for his charity, Dramatic Need. This charity helps young people in Rwanda and South Africa deal with difficult experiences. He directed this play again in 2015 and 2017.

Isles of Wonder: The Olympic Opening Ceremony

Danny Boyle before the 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony

Danny Boyle was the artistic director for the 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony in London. The ceremony was called Isles of Wonder. It showed different parts of British culture. This included the Industrial Revolution and Britain's contributions to literature, music, film, and technology. People all over the world loved the ceremony.

Pistol TV Series

In 2021, it was announced that Boyle would direct a six-part TV series. It's called Pistol. The series tells the story of the famous punk band, the Sex Pistols. It aired on FX and Disney+ in 2022.

Film Career

Danny Boyle's love for movies began when he saw Apocalypse Now. He said it completely amazed him. He felt the power of cinema was incredible.

Early Films: Shallow Grave and Trainspotting (1990s)

The first film Danny Boyle directed was Shallow Grave in 1994. It was a big success and won the BAFTA Award for Best British Film. This led to him directing Trainspotting. He worked with writer John Hodge and producer Andrew Macdonald on these films. Critics said these movies helped bring new life to British cinema in the 1990s. The British Film Institute even ranked Trainspotting as the 10th greatest British film of the 20th century.

Boyle was offered the chance to direct the fourth Alien movie, but he chose to make A Life Less Ordinary instead.

Success with Slumdog Millionaire (2000s)

Boyle's next big project was The Beach, based on a popular book. It was filmed in Thailand and starred Leonardo DiCaprio. After that, he worked with writer Alex Garland on the horror film 28 Days Later.

Boyle at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival

In 2004, Boyle directed Millions. His next film with Alex Garland was the science-fiction movie Sunshine in 2007.

In 2008, he directed Slumdog Millionaire. This film tells the story of a poor boy from Mumbai, India, who goes on the game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?. The movie was a huge hit! Danny Boyle won Academy Awards and BAFTA Awards for Best Director. Slumdog Millionaire won eight Academy Awards and seven BAFTA Awards. It was the most successful British film of that decade. Boyle said that to be a filmmaker, you need to be very determined to create something new and different.

Recent Films: 127 Hours, Steve Jobs and T2 Trainspotting (2010s)

In 2010, Danny Boyle directed 127 Hours. This film stars James Franco. It is based on the true story of Aron Ralston, who was trapped under a boulder while exploring a canyon. The movie was highly praised and received six nominations at the 83rd Academy Awards.

The film team of T2 Trainspotting at the Berlinale 2017

Boyle's next film was Trance, starring James McAvoy. There are also plans for more films in the 28 Days Later series.

Danny Boyle has said that his films often have a common theme. They are about people facing very difficult challenges and finding a way to overcome them. He is also very interested in music and has thought about making a musical film.

In 2015, Boyle directed Steve Jobs, a movie about the founder of Apple Inc.. This film was chosen to close the 59th BFI London Film Festival. It was the third time one of his films had this honour. After that, he directed T2 Trainspotting, which is a sequel to his earlier hit Trainspotting.

In 2018, Boyle was going to direct the twenty-fifth James Bond film. However, he decided not to because of disagreements about the script.

In 2019, he worked with writer Richard Curtis on the film Yesterday. This movie starred Himesh Patel and Lily James.

In 2024, it was confirmed that Boyle will make 28 Years Later. This film is set 28 years after the first 28 Days Later movie.

Personal Life

While at university, Danny Boyle dated actress Frances Barber.

He lives in Mile End, London.

Other Activities

In 2007, Danny Boyle helped start a charity called Dramatic Need. This charity worked in Rwanda and South Africa. It helped young people deal with difficult experiences and conflicts. The charity closed in 2021.

Around 2008, Boyle became a supporter of Early Break. This charity helps young people in North West England who are struggling with substance misuse. It was founded in his hometown of Radcliffe.

In 2014, it was announced that Boyle would support HOME in Manchester. HOME is a centre for film, theatre, and art.

In 2017, Boyle announced plans to create a £30 million film and media school in Manchester. The Manchester School of Digital Arts opened in 2022. It is part of Manchester Metropolitan University.

Recognition

In 2010, The Tablet magazine named Danny Boyle one of Britain's most important Roman Catholics.

The BBC has called Boyle a "titan of the British film industry." They said he is known for his strong and determined style, like in his 1996 film Trainspotting.

In 2012, Danny Boyle was chosen by artist Sir Peter Blake to appear in a new version of The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover. This celebrated important British cultural figures.

In December 2012, it was widely reported that Boyle turned down a knighthood. He told BBC Radio 4 that he was proud to be an equal citizen. He felt that the Olympic opening ceremony was about everyone being equal.

Awards and Nominations

Danny Boyle has won many awards for his films:

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Director	Producer	Writer
1994	Shallow Grave	Yes	No	No
1996	Trainspotting	Yes	No	No
1997	A Life Less Ordinary	Yes	No	No
2000	The Beach	Yes	No	No
2002	28 Days Later	Yes	No	No
2004	Millions	Yes	No	No
2007	Sunshine	Yes	No	No
2008	Slumdog Millionaire	Yes	No	No
2010	127 Hours	Yes	Yes	Yes
2013	Trance	Yes	Yes	No
2015	Steve Jobs	Yes	Yes	No
2017	T2 Trainspotting	Yes	Yes	No
	Battle of the Sexes	No	Yes	No
2019	Yesterday	Yes	Yes	No
2025	28 Years Later	Yes	Yes	Yes
2026	28 Years Later: The Bone Temple	No	Yes	Yes
TBA	Untitled third 28 Years Later film	Yes	0TBA	0TBA

Key

Denotes films that have not yet been released

Short film

• Alien Love Triangle (2008)

Executive producer

• Twin Town (1997)
• 28 Weeks Later (2007)
• Creation Stories (2021)

Television

TV films (selected)

See also

In Spanish: Danny Boyle para niños