Jeff Daniels

Jeff Daniels found his first popular success with TERMS OF ENDEARMENT, playing the philandering husband of Debra Winger’s character. His performance in THE SQUID AND THE WHALE earned him Independent Spirit Award and Golden Globe nominations, as well as Newsweek’s choice for Best Actor of 2005.

It was in Milos Forman’s RAGTIME that Daniels made his feature film debut. Other film credits include Woody Allen’s THE PURPLE ROSE OF CAIRO, Mike Nichols’ HEARTBURN, Jonathan Demme’sSOMETHING WILD, RADIO DAYS, HOUSE ON CARROLL STREET, MARIE, CHECKING OUT, WELCOME BACK ROXY CARMICHAEL, THE BUTCHER’S WIFE, GRAND TOUR, ARACHNOPHOBIA, GETTYSBURG, SPEED, DUMB & DUMBER, FLY AWAY HOME, 2 DAYS IN THE VALLEY, 101 DALMATIANS, TRIAL AND ERROR, PLEASANTVILLE, MY FAVORITE MARTIAN, ALL THE RAGE, CHASING SHEEP, BLOOD WORK, THE HOURS, GODS AND GENERALS, I WITNESS, IMAGINARY HEROES, BECAUSE OF WINN DIXIE, RV, GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD LUCK, INFAMOUS, THE LOOKOUT, TRAITOR, STATE OF PLAY, AWAY WE GO, and THE ANSWER MAN.

Daniels launched his film career from the New York stage.. Impressed with the 21 year-old actor, guest director Marshall W. Mason invited him to join the acclaimed Circle Repertory Company in New York. His stage credits from this period include THE FARM, Lanford Wilson’s BRONTOSAURUS and Corinne Jacker’s MY LIFE, co-starring Christopher Reeve and William Hurt. Other New York roles include THREE SISTERS, SHORT CHANGED REVIEW, LEMON SKY (earning Daniels a Drama Desk nomination), and A.R. Gurney’s THE GOLDEN AGE. Daniels worked with Marshall Mason again in Lanford Wilson’s REDWOOD CURTAIN in 1993. He returned to the Off Broadway stage in 2007 in the critically acclaimed American Premiere of David Harrower’s BLACKBIRD. He starred in the World Premiere of TURN OF THE CENTURY, a musical directed by Tommy Tune.

Lanford Wilson’s FIFTH OF JULY won Daniels his first widespread recognition. After three different productions and filming the play for television, Daniels returned to Circle Rep to star in a one-man show adapting Dalton’s Trumbo’s JOHNNY GOT HIS GUN, garnering an Obie Award.

Daniels starred in Hallmark Hall of Fame’s SWEET NOTHINGS IN MY EAR opposite Marlee Matlin. Other television credits include Invasion of PRIVACY, A RUMOR OF WAR, THE VISIT, THE CAINE MUTINY COURT MARTIAL, THE JACKIE PRESSER STORY, NO PLACE LIKE HOME, TANNER ‘88, THE CROSSING, CHEATERS and THE FIVE PEOPLE YOU MEET IN HEAVEN.

In 1991, Daniels established the Purple Rose Theatre Company, a not-for-profit professional theatre in the small town of Chelsea, Michigan. Since then, the PRTC has gained a national reputation as a home for new American plays. Daniels has written twelve plays for the Purple Rose, including APARTMENT 3A, BOOM TOWN and GUEST ARTIST, Runner Up for 2007 Best New Play by the American Theatre Critics Association. In 2003, ACROSS THE WAY was a finalist and Daniels’ first nomination for ATCA’s Best New Play. In the fall of 2006, the Purple Rose premiered ESCANABA IN LOVE, the second play of Daniels’ ESCANABA TRILOGY. ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT sold out in 1995 and 1997, setting the record as the longest-running show in Detroit history. His latest play with music, PANHANDLE SLIM & THE OKLAHOMA KID, premiered at the Purple Rose in June, 2008.

In 1998, he formed Purple Rose Films. The company’s first project, ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT was one of 2001’s top-grossing independent films and its second venture, SUPER SUCKER, won the Audience Award for Best Feature at the HBO-sponsored U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colorado, in February 2002.

Daniels’ songwriting has taken him all over the country. Initially a way to raise money for the Purple Rose, Daniels’ live performance and guitar playing can be found on his three CDs: “Live and Unplugged At The Purple Rose,” “Grandfather’s Hat,” and “Together Again.” More information regarding his music career can be found at www.jeffdaniels.com. Daniels was awarded an honorary doctorate from his alma mater, Central Michigan University. In 1991, he received both the Detroit News’ Michiganian Of The Year Award and the prestigious Governor’s Michigan Artist Award.

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