Daniel Breaker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Daniel Breaker
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Born | Manhattan, Kansas, U.S.
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June 2, 1980
Education | Juilliard School (BFA) |
Occupation |
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Years active | 2002–present |
Spouse(s) |
Kate Whoriskey
(m. 2008) |
Children | 2 |
Daniel Breaker (born June 2, 1980) is an American actor and comedian. He is famous for playing Donkey in the first Broadway show of Shrek the Musical. He has also had important roles in other big Broadway shows. These include Hamilton, Hadestown, Once Upon a Mattress, and The Book of Mormon.
Contents
Daniel Breaker's Acting Journey
Starting His Career
Daniel Breaker began acting in 2002. This was right after he finished studying at the Juilliard School. He performed in many plays in different places. He acted in Off-Broadway shows, in London, and in regional theaters across the United States. He even performed in five plays at the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington D.C.
His first major role was playing the "Youth" in an Off-Broadway play called Passing Strange. For this role, he won an Obie Award in 2008. When the show moved to Broadway, he played the same character. He was even nominated for a Tony Award for it. He also played this role in a movie version of the musical directed by Spike Lee.
Becoming Broadway's Donkey
One of Daniel Breaker's most well-known roles is playing Donkey. He was the original Donkey in the Broadway show Shrek the Musical. This musical ran from November 2008 to January 2010. He acted alongside other famous Broadway stars like Brian d'Arcy James and Sutton Foster.
For his performance as Donkey, Daniel Breaker was nominated for a Drama Desk Award. This award is for outstanding actors in a musical. You can hear his voice on the original music recording from the show.
Other Big Broadway Roles
Daniel Breaker has been in many other plays and musicals. He played Mafala Hatimbi in The Book of Mormon on Broadway. He also played the King of Navarre in a musical version of Love's Labour's Lost.
Later, he took on the role of Aaron Burr in the hit musical Hamilton. He first played this part in Chicago. Then, he joined the Broadway cast of Hamilton.
In 2024, Daniel Breaker starred as the Jester in a new Broadway show of Once Upon a Mattress. He worked again with Sutton Foster, who was also in Shrek the Musical. In early 2025, it was announced that he would play Hermes in the Broadway show Hadestown.
Daniel Breaker on TV
Besides stage acting, Daniel Breaker has also appeared on television. Since 2021, he has been a part of the show Girls5Eva on the Peacock streaming service. He has also been a guest star on other TV shows.
Daniel Breaker's Family Life
Daniel Breaker is married to Kate Whoriskey. She is a theater director. They got married in 2008 and have two children together.
Stage Performances
Year | Title | Role | Theater | Notes |
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2003 | Pericles | Pericles | Red Bull Theater | |
2004 | Fabulation, or the Re-Education of Undine | Agent Duva/Flow/Dealer/Addict #2/Ensemble | Playwrights Horizons | Off-Broadway |
2005 | The Tempest | Ariel | Shakespeare Theatre Company | |
2006 | Well | Jim and others | Longacre Theatre | Broadway |
2007 | Passing Strange | Youth | The Public Theater | Off-Broadway |
2007–2008 | Cymbeline | Gentleman | Lincoln Center Theatre | Broadway |
2008 | Passing Strange | Youth | Belasco Theatre | Broadway |
2008–2010 | Shrek the Musical | Donkey | Broadway Theatre | Broadway |
2011 | By the Way, Meet Vera Stark | Leroy Barksdale/Herb Forrester | Second Stage Theater | Off-Broadway |
2012 | The Performers | Lee | Longacre Theatre | Broadway |
2013 | Love's Labour's Lost | King Ferdinand of Navarre | Delacorte Theater | |
2014–2017 | The Book of Mormon | Mafala Hatimbi | Eugene O'Neill Theatre | Broadway |
2017 | Hamilton | Aaron Burr | PrivateBank Theatre | |
2017–2020 | Richard Rodgers Theatre | Broadway | ||
2024 | Judgment Day | Father Michael | Chicago Shakespeare Theater | |
Once Upon a Mattress | The Jester | Hudson Theatre | Broadway | |
2024–2025 | Ahmanson Theatre | Los Angeles | ||
2025 | Hadestown | Hermes | Walter Kerr Theatre | Broadway |
Film and Television Roles
Movies
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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2011 | Limitless | Campaign Manager | |
2012 | Red Hook Summer | Cliff | |
2013 | He's Way More Famous Than You | EMT | |
Shrek the Musical | Donkey | This was a filmed version of the Broadway show. | |
2015 | Sisters | Airport Bartender |
TV Shows
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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2002 | Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Zach | One episode: "The Pilgrim" |
2009 | Great Performances | Youth | One episode: "Passing Strange" (filmed musical) |
2011 | Unforgettable | Mark | One episode: "Lost Things" |
2014 | Submissions Only | Dean Klausen | Appeared in 5 episodes |
2014–2016 | Mozart in the Jungle | Virgil | Appeared in 16 episodes |
2017–2018 | Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt | Agent Dunleavy | Appeared in 2 episodes |
2020 | Helpsters | Artist Andrew | One episode: "Camper Cortez/Artist Andrew & Detective Dudley" |
2020–2023 | Billions | Roger 'Scooter' Dunbar | Appeared in 34 episodes |
2021–2024 | Girls5eva | Scott | Appeared in 12 episodes |
2022 | The Good Fight | Randy Elkin | Appeared in 5 episodes |