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.
On February 19, 1955, Jeffrey Warren Daniels was born.
In the summer of 1976, Jeff Daniels attended the Eastern Michigan University drama school.
Jeff Daniels made his Broadway debut as the assistant stage manager and various roles in the Albert Innaurato play Gemini in 1977.
Jeff Daniels made his Broadway debut in Gemini in 1977.
Jeff Daniels performed in Fifth of July by Lanford Wilson in the 1977–78 season at the Circle Repertory Theatre in New York.
Jeff Daniels performed in The Shortchanged Review in 1979 at Second Stage Theatre in New York.
In 1980, Jeff Daniels acted in Lanford Wilson's Fifth of July on Broadway.
Jeff Daniels made his film debut in Miloš Forman's drama Ragtime in 1981.
Jeff Daniels made his screen debut in Miloš Forman's Ragtime in 1981.
In 1983, Jeff Daniels had his breakthrough role in James L. Brooks's Terms of Endearment.
Jeff Daniels starred in A. R. Gurney's The Golden Age in 1984.
In 1985, Jeff Daniels starred in Woody Allen's The Purple Rose of Cairo.
In 1985, Jeff Daniels starred in Woody Allen's The Purple Rose of Cairo.
In 1986, Jeff Daniels starred in Jonathan Demme's Something Wild and also had a supporting role in Mike Nichols' 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.
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.
Jeff Daniels had the lead role in Checking Out, which received a limited theatrical release in 1989.
Jeff Daniels starred in the romantic comedy Love Hurts in 1990.
Jeff Daniels starred in the romantic comedy The Butcher's Wife, playing Demi Moore's love interest, in 1991.
Jeff Daniels' sci-fi vehicle Timescape went straight to video in 1992.
In 1993, Jeff Daniels starred as Colonel Joshua Chamberlain in Gettysburg.
Jeff Daniels continued his work in the theater in 1993, appearing in Redwood Curtain and starring Off-Broadway in Lanford Wilson's Lemon Sky.
Jeff Daniels starred as Colonel Joshua Chamberlain in Gettysburg in 1993.
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.
In 1994, Jeff Daniels starred in the films Speed and Dumb and Dumber.
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.
Jeff Daniels starred in the film 101 Dalmatians in 1996.
In 1997, Daniels starred in the comedy Trial and Error, which was a critical and commercial misfire.
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.
Jeff Daniels starred in the film Pleasantville in 1998.
Jeff Daniels starred in the critically acclaimed film The Hours in 2002.
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.
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.
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.
In 2006, Daniels appeared in the Truman Capote biopic Infamous, starring Toby Jones as Capote, alongside Sandra Bullock, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Sigourney Weaver.
Jeff Daniels starred in the critically acclaimed film Infamous in 2006.
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.
In 2008, Daniels acted in the thriller State of Play.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Jeff Daniels received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Play for his role in God of Carnage in 2009.
On February 28, 2010, after extending its run, God of Carnage converted to an open-ended run on Broadway.
In the April–May 2011 issue of Guitar Aficionado magazine, Daniels was featured on the cover and discussed his experiences with music.
In the July–August 2011 issue of Making Music magazine, Daniels was featured and discussed his experiences with music.
From 2012 to 2014, Jeff Daniels starred as Will McAvoy in the HBO political drama series The Newsroom.
In 2012, Daniels became the new announcing voice for Apple, starting with the iPhone 5 ads.
Jeff Daniels starred in the critically acclaimed film Looper in 2012.
Jeff Daniels won the 2013 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role in The Newsroom.
Jeff Daniels starred in the critically acclaimed films Steve Jobs and The Martian in 2015.
Jeff Daniels received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Play for his role in Blackbird in 2016.
Jeff Daniels starred in the Netflix miniseries Godless in 2017.
Jeff Daniels received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Play for his role in To Kill a Mockingbird in 2018.
Jeff Daniels won a second Primetime Emmy Award in 2018 for his performance in Godless.
Jeff Daniels portrayed FBI director James Comey in The Comey Rule in 2020.
Jeff Daniels' run in the play To Kill a Mockingbird ended in 2021.