WHEN he's not wowing critics and audiences alike with his rare but riveting performances on screen, Oscar nominee Daniel Day-Lewis is just a regular, ordinary guy, say his neighbors in Roundwood, Co. Wicklow.

Though he's a virtual shoo-in for Academy Award glory next month with his star turn in There Will Be Blood, DDL leaves Hollywood behind when he's at home in Wicklow with his American-born wife Rebecca Miller and their two sons, Cashel and Ronan.

Aine Schwalm, the owner of his local pub the Roundwood Inn, is always delighted to see the star swing through her doors.

"He pops in here a fair bit with his wife and two boys. He's actually a real family man. He's quite lovable and very approachable. He introduced his two sons in the hairdressers the other week," said Schwalm after DDL's Best Actor nomination was announced last week.

"I suppose he's been living in the area for around 12 years now, since back when he was single. He jogs a lot around the place, you just see him whish by. He keeps very fit."

DDL, British-born but an Irish citizen since 1993, has been commuting regularly between Ireland and LA since awards season has gotten underway. He gave the best, most heartfelt acceptance speech by far on Sunday night at the Screen Actor's Guild awards in honor of the tragic Heath Ledger.