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Daniel Breaker
Born (1980-06-02) June 2, 1980 (age 45)
Education Juilliard School (BFA)
Occupation
  • Actor
  • comedian
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.

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
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
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
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
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