Day-Lewis has recognition in his 'Blood'

NEW YORK -- On screen, he's the master of menace, but in real life, he's very approachable.

If you thought Daniel Day-Lewis boiled with brutality as Bill the Butcher in 2002's Gangs of New York, just wait until you see him throttle and thrash his way through There Will Be Blood (in theaters Dec. 26).

In person, thankfully, Day-Lewis happens to be understated and friendly, as he was at a reception for Blood Monday night at the Midtown restaurant Brasserie 8 1/2.

The actor says it was easy to sign up for Blood. "Paul asked me, and that's all it took."

Paul is Paul Thomas Anderson (1999's Magnolia and 1997's Boogie Nights), who directed and wrote the screenplay for the film, which is based on the Upton Sinclair novel Oil!.

In the drama, Oscar winner Day-Lewis (for 1989's My Left Foot) is ...