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Jeff Daniels Biography

Birth Name:Jeffrey Warren Daniels

Birth Place:Athens, Georgia, United States

Profession Actor, Soundtrack, Writer, Director, Producer

Fast Facts

  • Founded the Purple Rose Theatre Company, a non-profit that provides resources for aspiring actors, playwrights and theatre artists
  • The University of Michigan granted him an honorary doctorate degree in 2009
  • Was honored at the 2016 Stella by Starlight Gala
  • Got his first audition by reading about it in the student newspaper at Central Michigan University
  • Made his Broadway debut as an assistant stage manager for the 1977 play "Gemini․"
  • Quote: "As an actor, when you're inside or behind a character, there's a filter between you and an audience -- you do'’t have the freedom you have when you walk out onto a stage with a guitar․ I like being able to talk to an audience․ I like having an open conversation․"
  • Quote: "One of the more noble things the Oscars can do is pay attention to movies no one knows about․ Blockbusters don't need much help․"
  • Best known for his acting versatility, portraying comedic and dramatic roles alike
  • A singer and songwriter, he has released the albums "Live & Unplugged," "Grandfather's Hat," "Together Again" and "Live at the Purple Rose․"
  • Featured in Apple's iPhone 5 ads in 2012

Awards

  • 1986Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1987Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1991Saturn Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 1992International Fantasy Film Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 1994CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 1995MTV Movie Award-Best On-Screen Duo: nominated
  • 1997Chlotrudis Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 1999Golden Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2002ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: winner
  • 2002Chainsaw Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2002Audience Award-: winner
  • 2003Actor-Outstanding Performance by the Cast of a Theatrical Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2003Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: winner
  • 2003PFCS Award-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
  • 2005ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
  • 2005ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
  • 2005ACCA-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2005Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2005Gotham Independent Film Award-Best Ensemble Performance: nominated
  • 2005Gotham Independent Film Award-Best Ensemble Performance: winner
  • 2005VVFP Award-Best Performance: nominated
  • 2006Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2006Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2006Chlotrudis Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2006Independent Spirit Award-Best Male Lead: nominated
  • 2006Gold Derby Film Award-Lead Actor: nominated
  • 2006Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
  • 2006Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
  • 2006Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2006NSFC Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2007ALFS Award-Actor of the Year: nominated
  • 2007Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Drama: nominated
  • 2012Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Series, Drama: nominated
  • 2013Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2013Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Lead Actor: nominated
  • 2013Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
  • 2013OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2013Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: winner
  • 2014Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2014Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2014Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Series, Drama: nominated
  • 2015ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
  • 2015OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2015Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2015Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie: Chemistry: nominated
  • 2016Movies for Grownups Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2016Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
  • 2018Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series: nominated
  • 2018Critics Choice Award-Best Actor in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series: nominated
  • 2018Gold Derby TV Award-Movie/Limited Series Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2018INOCA TV-Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie: nominated
  • 2018OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture or Limited Series: winner
  • 2018Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie: nominated
  • 2018Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie: winner
  • 2019Best of Show-Feature Film: winner
  • 2019Audience Award-Best Dramatic Feature: nominated
  • 2019Indie Spirit Award-Best Picture: nominated
  • 2019Jury Award-Best Narrative Feature: nominated
  • 2019Audience Award-Dramatic Feature: nominated
  • 2019Best Narrative Feature-Best Narrative Feature: nominated
  • 2019Audience Award-Best Feature: nominated
  • 2019Best Actor-Best Actor: winner
  • 2019Best Independent Film-Feature Film: winner
  • 2019Festival Award-Best Feature Film: nominated
  • 2019Best Feature Film-: winner
  • 2019Best Actor-Best Actor: winner
  • 2019Best Actor-Best Actor: winner
  • 2019Audience Award-Best Feature: nominated
  • 2019Film Jury Award-Best Feature Film: winner
  • 2019Film Jury Award-Best Actor Feature Film: winner
  • 2019Film Jury Award-Best Screenplay: winner
  • 2019Festival Prize-Outstanding Feature Film: winner
  • 2019Jury Prize-Narrative Feature Film Competition: nominated
  • 2019Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Miniseries & Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2019Jury Prize-Best Feature: nominated
  • 2019Audience Award-Best Fiction Film: nominated
  • 2019Jury Prize-Best Narrative Feature Film: nominated
  • 2021Critics' Choice Documentary Award-Best Narration: nominated
  • 2021Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2021Documentary Award-Documentary: nominated
  • 2021OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture or Limited Series: nominated