History of Jeff Daniels in Timeline
Jeffrey Warren Daniels is a highly acclaimed American actor celebrated for his versatility across stage and screen. His repertoire spans both comedic and dramatic roles, earning him numerous awards and nominations. He has received two Primetime Emmy Awards, and has been nominated for three Tony Awards, five Screen Actors Guild Awards, and five Golden Globe Awards.
February 19, 1955: Jeff Daniels is Born
On February 19, 1955, Jeffrey Warren Daniels was born.
1976: Attends Eastern Michigan University Drama School
In the summer of 1976, Jeff Daniels attended the Eastern Michigan University drama school.
1977: Broadway Debut in Gemini
Jeff Daniels made his Broadway debut as the assistant stage manager and various roles in the Albert Innaurato play Gemini in 1977.
1977: Performs in Fifth of July
Jeff Daniels performed in Fifth of July by Lanford Wilson in the 1977–78 season at the Circle Repertory Theatre in New York.
1979: Performs in The Shortchanged Review
Jeff Daniels performed in The Shortchanged Review in 1979 at Second Stage Theatre in New York.
1980: Performs in Fifth of July on Broadway
In 1980, Jeff Daniels acted in Lanford Wilson's Fifth of July on Broadway.
1981: Film Debut in Ragtime
Jeff Daniels made his film debut in Miloš Forman's drama Ragtime in 1981.
1983: Breakthrough Role in Terms of Endearment
In 1983, Jeff Daniels had his breakthrough role in James L. Brooks's Terms of Endearment.
1984: Stars in The Golden Age
Jeff Daniels starred in A. R. Gurney's The Golden Age in 1984.
1985: Stars in The Purple Rose of Cairo
In 1985, Jeff Daniels starred in Woody Allen's The Purple Rose of Cairo.
1986: Stars in Something Wild and Heartburn
In 1986, Jeff Daniels starred in Jonathan Demme's Something Wild and also had a supporting role alongside Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep in Mike Nichols' Heartburn.
1988: Stars in The House on Carroll Street and Sweet Hearts Dance
In 1988, Jeff Daniels co-starred with Kelly McGillis in Peter Yates' neo-noir The House on Carroll Street and appeared in the ensemble dramedy Sweet Hearts Dance.
1989: Stars in Checking Out
Jeff Daniels had the lead role in Checking Out, which received a limited theatrical release in 1989.
1990: Stars in Love Hurts
Jeff Daniels starred in the romantic comedy Love Hurts in 1990.
1991: Stars in The Butcher's Wife
Jeff Daniels starred in the romantic comedy The Butcher's Wife, playing Demi Moore's love interest, in 1991.
1992: Timescape Released Direct-to-Video
Jeff Daniels' sci-fi vehicle Timescape went straight to video in 1992.
1993: Stars as Colonel Joshua Chamberlain in Gettysburg
In 1993, Jeff Daniels starred as Colonel Joshua Chamberlain in Gettysburg.
1993: Stars in Redwood Curtain and Lemon Sky
Jeff Daniels continued his work in the theater in 1993, appearing in Redwood Curtain and starring Off-Broadway in Lanford Wilson's Lemon Sky.
1994: Daniels Stars in Dumb and Dumber and Speed
In 1994, Daniels co-starred with Jim Carrey in the commercially successful comedy Dumb and Dumber. He also appeared alongside Keanu Reeves in the action blockbuster Speed, which grossed over $350 million at the box office.
1994: Stars in Speed and Dumb and Dumber
In 1994, Jeff Daniels starred in the films Speed and Dumb and Dumber.
1996: Daniels Stars in 101 Dalmatians, 2 Days in the Valley, and Fly Away Home
In 1996, Daniels starred in the Disney live-action remake of 101 Dalmatians, playing the owner of dalmatians stolen by Cruella De Vil. He also appeared in the thriller 2 Days in the Valley alongside Eric Stoltz and in the family film Fly Away Home as the supportive single father of Anna Paquin's character.
1996: Stars in 101 Dalmatians
Jeff Daniels starred in the film 101 Dalmatians in 1996.
1997: Daniels Stars in Trial and Error
In 1997, Daniels starred in the comedy Trial and Error, which was a critical and commercial misfire.
1998: Daniels Stars in Pleasantville and My Favorite Martian
In 1998, Daniels starred in Pleasantville as diner owner Bill Johnson, alongside Tobey Maguire, Reese Witherspoon, Joan Allen, and Don Knotts. The film was nominated for three Academy Awards. He also starred alongside Christopher Lloyd in the comedy My Favorite Martian.
1998: Stars in Pleasantville
Jeff Daniels starred in the film Pleasantville in 1998.
2002: Stars in The Hours
Jeff Daniels starred in the critically acclaimed film The Hours in 2002.
2003: Daniels Stars in Blood Work, The Hours, Gods and Generals, and I Witness
In 2003, Daniels starred in Clint Eastwood's Blood Work, Stephen Daldry's Academy Award-winning The Hours alongside Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, and Nicole Kidman, the historical drama Gods and Generals, and the action film I Witness with James Spader.
2004: Daniels Stars in Imaginary Heroes and The Five People You Meet in Heaven
In 2004, Daniels starred in the independent film Imaginary Heroes and the television film adaptation of Mitch Albom's bestseller The Five People You Meet in Heaven.
2005: Daniels Stars in The Squid and the Whale, Because of Winn-Dixie, and Good Night, and Good Luck
In 2005, Daniels received critical acclaim for his performance in Noah Baumbach's The Squid and the Whale with Laura Linney, earning his third Golden Globe nomination. He also starred in the family film Because of Winn-Dixie and had a supporting role in George Clooney's Oscar-nominated film Good Night, and Good Luck.
2006: Daniels Appears in Infamous
In 2006, Daniels appeared in the Truman Capote biopic Infamous, starring Toby Jones as Capote, alongside Sandra Bullock, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Sigourney Weaver.
2007: Daniels Appears in Blackbird and RV
In 2007, Daniels appeared in an Off-Broadway production of David Harrower's Blackbird alongside Allison Pill. He also starred in Barry Sonnenfeld's family film RV with Robin Williams.
2008: Daniels Stars in State of Play
In 2008, Daniels acted in the thriller State of Play.
2008: Daniels Stars in Mama's Boy, The Lookout, and Traitor
In 2008, Daniels starred in the independent films Mama's Boy and The Lookout, for which he was nominated for a Satellite Award. He also starred in the thriller Traitor alongside Don Cheadle.
February 28, 2009: Daniels Stars in God of Carnage on Broadway
On February 28, 2009, Daniels returned to Broadway after a 16-year absence in Yasmina Reza's God of Carnage, starring alongside Hope Davis, James Gandolfini, and Marcia Gay Harden.
March 22, 2009: God of Carnage Officially Opens on Broadway
On March 22, 2009, God of Carnage officially opened at The Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on Broadway. Daniels received his first Tony Award nomination for his performance, and the play won the Tony Award for Best Play.
July 19, 2009: God of Carnage Extends its Run on Broadway
Originally planned for a limited engagement to close on July 19, 2009, God of Carnage's run on Broadway was extended due to its success.
2009: Tony Award Nomination for God of Carnage
Jeff Daniels received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Play for his role in God of Carnage in 2009.
February 28, 2010: God of Carnage Converts to Open-Ended Run on Broadway
On February 28, 2010, after extending its run, God of Carnage converted to an open-ended run on Broadway.
May 2011: Daniels Featured in Guitar Aficionado Magazine
In the April–May 2011 issue of Guitar Aficionado magazine, Daniels was featured on the cover and discussed his experiences with music.
August 2011: Daniels Featured in Making Music Magazine
In the July–August 2011 issue of Making Music magazine, Daniels was featured and discussed his experiences with music.
2012: Stars in The Newsroom
From 2012 to 2014, Jeff Daniels starred as Will McAvoy in the HBO political drama series The Newsroom.
2012: Daniels Becomes Voice of Apple
In 2012, Daniels became the new announcing voice for Apple, starting with the iPhone 5 ads.
2013: Wins Primetime Emmy Award
Jeff Daniels won the 2013 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role in The Newsroom.
2015: Stars in Steve Jobs and The Martian
Jeff Daniels starred in the critically acclaimed films Steve Jobs and The Martian in 2015.
2016: Tony Award Nomination for Blackbird
Jeff Daniels received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Play for his role in Blackbird in 2016.
2017: Stars in Godless
Jeff Daniels starred in the Netflix miniseries Godless in 2017.
2018: Tony Award Nomination for To Kill a Mockingbird
Jeff Daniels received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Play for his role in To Kill a Mockingbird in 2018.
2018: Wins Second Primetime Emmy Award
Jeff Daniels won a second Primetime Emmy Award in 2018 for his performance in Godless.
2020: Portrays James Comey in The Comey Rule
Jeff Daniels portrayed FBI director James Comey in The Comey Rule in 2020.
2021: To Kill a Mockingbird Run Ends
Jeff Daniels' run in the play To Kill a Mockingbird ended in 2021.
