Jeff Daniels

Actor Jeff Daniels has appeared in a variety of films since his 1981 debut in Milos Forman|Milos Forman's Ragtime. He has also written a number of plays, and founded the Purple Rose Theatre Company in Chelsea, Michigan, named for one of his most popular films, Woody Allen's The Purple Rose of Cairo. Daniels will be seen in the 2009 political thriller State of Play with Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck.

Fast Facts:

Born: February 19, 1955
Birthplace: Athens, Georgia
Spouse: Kathleen Treado
Production company is also named "Purple Rose"
Played Anna Paquin's father in Fly Away Home, and her boyfriend in The Squid and the Whale

Career Retrospective

Daniels started his career on the stage, acting on Broadway in New York City. After making his debut in Ragtime, he starred in two wildly-successful 80s films back-to-back, Terms of Endearment (which won the Best Picture Oscar in 1984) and The Purple Rose of Cairo, with Mia Farrow.

Daniels has proved himself equally adept at dramas and comedies, playing serious roles in films like Gods and Generals and Good Night and Good Luck alternating with goofy comedies, such as the Farrelly Brothers' Dumb and Dumber, alongside Jim Carrey.

Daniels is also a singer-songwriter who has recorded to albums of his own music.