Daniel K. Daniel facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Daniel K. Daniel
Daniel K. Daniel in 2018
Born	Daniel Kanayo Daniel (1986-05-22) 22 May 1986 (age 39) Maiduguri, Borno, Nigeria
Other names	DKD
Occupation	Actor, model, voice-over artiste, events compere
Years active	2009 – present
Awards	Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards Africa Movie Academy Award

Daniel Kanayo Daniel, born on May 22, 1986, is a talented Nigerian actor, model, and voice-over artist. He is often called DKD. He is famous for playing "Bossman" in the movie A Soldier's Story. For this role, he won important awards like the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards and the Africa Movie Academy Awards for Best Actor in 2016. He also starred in the historical movie '76 and the family film Mummy Dearest. In 2022, he became one of only two Nigerian actors invited to join the Academy of Motion Pictures and Science. This is the group that gives out the Oscars!

Early Life and Education

Growing Up in Nigeria

Daniel Kanayo Daniel was born in Maiduguri, Nigeria, on May 22, 1986. When he was very young, his family moved around. They lived in Lagos State and then Enugu State. Daniel is from the Igbo group and grew up in a Christian home. His father, Chris Daniel, was an engineer. His mother, Kande Daniel, is a journalist. She was once the head of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists. She now advises the Nigerian Minister of Power on media. Daniel is the oldest of four children. One of his brothers, Chris Daniel Jnr, is a musician.

School Days

Daniel was a bright student. He led the drama and debating club at his primary school. He usually was at the top of his class. He finished primary school in 1996. He then went to Command Day Secondary School Enugu. Later, he moved to Federal Government College Enugu to finish high school.

A Dream Changed

Daniel always wanted to be a pilot. He had three family members who were fighter pilots. These included his foster grandfather, Air Marshal Ibrahim Alfa. But Daniel found out he had myopia (short-sightedness). This meant it would be hard for him to become a pilot. His dream had to change.

University and New Beginnings

In 2004, Daniel started studying Applied Biochemistry at Nnamdi Azikiwe University. In November 2004, his life changed when his father passed away in a car accident. As the oldest child, Daniel had to grow up quickly. In 2005, his family moved to Abuja. Daniel continued his studies and also started modeling. He finished university in 2009. After graduating, he managed his uncle's catering business for a few months.

Career Journey

Starting in Modeling and Acting

Daniel began his modeling career while still in university. He appeared in several TV commercials. In 2009, he returned to Abuja. He took part in fashion shows, like the Abuja Moroccan Fashion Show. After one show, a supermodel named Steiner Eunice Opara encouraged him to try acting. Daniel went to an audition and impressed the directors. This led to his first acting job in the TV series All About Us.

Early Film Roles

After All About Us, Daniel was cast in a BBC movie called Sarah’s Choice. He then played the bad guy in The Child, a movie produced by Amstel Malta Box Office. He acted alongside famous Nigerian actors like Joke Silva. Later, he got the main role in the popular movie Ladies' Men. He starred with well-known actresses like Mercy Johnson and Funke Akindele.

National Service and Return to Acting

In February 2010, Daniel took a break from acting. He went for his National Youth Service. This is a required program for university graduates in Nigeria. During this time, he worked with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.

He returned to acting in 2011 after his service. He appeared in many movies. Some of these include Under, Ivie, Same Difference, and Mummy Dearest. He also acted in TV series like My Treasure and Car Hire. Daniel also lent his voice to BBC radio dramas.

Awards and Recognitions

Daniel has received many awards for his acting. In 2014, he won the Best New Actor of the Year at the City People Awards. He also won the Revelation of the Year at the Best of Nollywood Awards (BON) in the same year.

On March 5, 2016, Daniel won the Best Actor in a (Drama) award at the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA). This was for his role in the war movie A Soldier's Story. In the same year, he also won the Best Actor in a Leading Role at the 12th Africa Movie Academy Awards for the same movie.

In June 2022, Daniel and Funke Akindele were the only Nigerian actors invited to join the Academy of Motion Pictures and Science. This is a huge honor in the film world.

Awards

Filmography

Movie roles

Television roles

See also

In Spanish: Daniel K Daniel para niños