Trivia

His castmates in Band of Brothers (2001) were initially skeptical of how well he could handle playing an American. It turned out that he was so convincing (as an American) that some cast and crew didn't believe he was British.

His maternal half-brother William Russell was made Lord Mayor of London on 9 November 2019 becoming the fifth member of the family to hold the office. Their maternal grandfather, Lt. Colonel Sir Ian Bowater served 69 - 70 and great-grandfather, Sir Frank Bowater served 38 -39.

Despite being an Englishman, Lewis often plays characters who are in the U.S. military, such as Major Richard D. Winters in Band of Brothers (2001), Marine Sergeant Nicholas Brody in Homeland (2011), and Major General James B. McPherson in To Appomattox (2015).

He was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2014 Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to drama.

Because of the popularity of his television series Homeland (2011) with the First Family, Damian and wife Helen McCrory were invited by President Barack Obama as official dinner guests at the White House. (March 2012)

Was offered a role in Black Hawk Down (2001), which he turned down for The Forsyte Saga (2002).

Plays the guitar and the piano/keyboard.

Director Gareth Lewis is his younger brother. Gareth directed Damian in The Baker (2007).

He was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2022 Queen's Birthday Platinum Honours List for his services to drama and to charity. He is an actor and the co-founder of Feed NHS.

Has competed twice in the Northern Rock All Star Cup, a golf tournament that pits celebrities from Europe against those of America. Lewis faced against such celebs as Meat Loaf and Alice Cooper.

He and his wife Helen McCrory have portrayed real-life couple, Tony Blair and Cherie Blair on television movies. Lewis in Confessions of a Diary Secretary (2007) and McCrory in The Special Relationship (2010).

Reunited with fellow Band of Brothers (2001) actors in Dreamcatcher (2003) (Donnie Wahlberg, "2nd Lt. C. Carwood Lipton") and in Colditz (2005) (Tom Hardy, "PFC John Janovec").

Son of J. Watcyn Lewis and wife (second husband, m. 1970) Charlotte Mary Bowater (b. 17 July 1937). Damian's father has Welsh ancestry. Damian's mother is of the Bowater Baronets, of Friston. Damian's maternal grandfather, Sir Ian Frank Bowater, served as Lord Mayor of London. Damian's maternal grandmother was of the Viscounts Dawson of Penn and Barons Dawson of Penn. Damian's mother has English, and some Scottish, ancestry. Also, Damian's maternal great-great-grandfather was Sir Alfred Fernandez Yarrow, 1st Baronet, who was of Sephardi Jewish descent on his own mother's side. Alfred's wife, Damian's great-great-grandmother Minnie Florence Franklin, was of German Jewish descent on her own father's side and of English descent on her own mother's side.

Attended the "School of Kings", Eton in Berkshire, and was two years behind The Wire (2002) cast member Dominic West.

Father of daughter Manon Lewis (born 8 September 2006) and son Gulliver Lewis (born 2 November 2007) with wife Helen McCrory.

Playing the main character Charlie Crews, he was reunited with fellow Band of Brothers (2001) star Michael Cudlitz who guest-starred in a couple of episodes of Damian's television series Life (2007) as the character Mark Rawls.

Counts Mark Rylance as a major influence.

During a school play, "Princess Tda", he forgot the entire third act.

Despite being born in London, Damian Lewis is a lifelong fan of Liverpool Football Club.