Lee Daniels facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lee Daniels
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Daniels in 2015
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Lee Louis Daniels
December 24, 1959 |
| Education | Radnor High School; Lindenwood University |
| Occupation | Film and television producer, director, screenwriter |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Honey Davenport (cousin) |
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Lee Daniels (born December 24, 1959) is a talented American film producer, director, and screenwriter. He has created many popular movies and TV shows. His first movie as a director was Shadowboxer (2005). Later, he directed Precious (2009), which was a big success. This film earned him nominations for the Best Director and Best Picture.
He has also directed other notable films like The Paperboy (2012), The Butler (2013), and The United States vs. Billie Holiday (2021). As a producer, he helped bring films like Monster's Ball (2001) and The Woodsman (2004) to the screen. Lee Daniels also co-created and produced the hit TV series Empire (2015–2020) and Star (2016–2019), both of which are about the music industry.
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Early Life and Education
Lee Daniels was born on December 24, 1959, in West Philly, Pennsylvania. He was the oldest of five children. His younger sister, Leah Daniels-Butler, is a casting director who has helped cast many of his projects. When Lee was 15, his father, who was a police officer, sadly passed away while on duty.
To help Lee get a good education, his mother arranged for him to use a neighbor's address in Radnor. This allowed him to attend Radnor High School, where he graduated in 1978. After high school, Daniels went to Lindenwood University in Missouri. However, he soon decided it wasn't the right fit for him. He then moved to Hollywood to pursue his dreams.
Starting a Career in Entertainment
In Hollywood, Lee Daniels first worked as a receptionist. Later, he started his own nursing agency. He eventually sold this business and began working in the entertainment industry. He started as a casting director and manager. This means he helped find actors for movies and TV shows.
He worked on projects like Under the Cherry Moon and Purple Rain. A documentary called My Big Break even showed Lee early in his career when he was managing actor Wes Bentley.
Major Film and TV Projects
Producing and Directing Success
Lee Daniels' first big success as a producer was the film Monster's Ball (2001). This movie was praised by critics and did well at the box office. The lead actress, Halle Berry, even won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role. This made Daniels the first African-American film producer to solely produce an Oscar-winning film.
He also produced The Woodsman (2004), which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. This film received several awards and nominations. Former President Bill Clinton even asked Daniels to produce public service announcements to encourage young people to vote.
Directorial Debut and Precious
Daniels made his first movie as a director, Shadowboxer, in 2006. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film featured famous actors like Helen Mirren and Cuba Gooding Jr..
His 2009 film Precious became a huge hit. It tells the story of a young girl facing many challenges in Harlem. The movie received widespread praise. The actress Mo'Nique won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role. Daniels himself was nominated for Best Director, and the film was nominated for Best Picture. It was also a financial success, earning over $63 million worldwide.
More Directing Work
In 2012, Daniels directed The Paperboy, which starred actors like Matthew McConaughey and Nicole Kidman. The film was shown at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival.
He then directed the historical drama The Butler (2013). This movie featured a star-studded cast including Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, and Mariah Carey. The Butler was very popular and earned over $100 million in the United States.
Television Series: Empire and Star
Lee Daniels also made a big impact in television. He created the TV series Empire, which first aired in 2015. He directed the first episode and co-wrote it. The show, starring Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, is about a family's music business. Empire was a massive success and ran for five years.
He also co-created Star (2016–2019), another series set in the music world. Daniels continues to work on new projects, including films for streaming services like Netflix and limited series for Hulu.
Activism and Awards
Lee Daniels has been recognized for his work and his efforts to help others. In 2010, he received the Creative Spirit Award from the Pratt Institute. In 2016, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to television.
He has also used his voice to support important causes. In 2016, he appeared in a video from the Human Rights Campaign to honor the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting. In 2018, he received the amfAR Award of Courage for his work and for creating characters who overcome difficult situations. He spoke about the importance of standing up for what matters.
Personal Life
Lee Daniels lives in Manhattan, New York. He has two children, Clara and Liam, whom he adopted.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Director | Producer | Writer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Monster's Ball | No | Yes | No |
| 2004 | The Woodsman | No | Yes | No |
| 2005 | Shadowboxer | Yes | Yes | No |
| 2008 | Tennessee | No | Yes | No |
| 2009 | Precious | Yes | Yes | No |
| 2012 | The Paperboy | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2013 | The Butler | Yes | Yes | No |
| 2020 | Concrete Cowboy | No | Yes | No |
| 2021 | The United States vs. Billie Holiday | Yes | Yes | No |
| 2024 | The Deliverance | Yes | Yes | No |
Executive producer
- The Reading (2023)
Television
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Executive Producer |
Creator | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015–2020 | Empire | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Directed 3 episodes, wrote 2 episodes |
| 2016–2019 | Star | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Directed 3 episodes, wrote 2 episodes |
| 2021–present | The Ms. Pat Show | No | No | Yes | No | |
| 2021–2023 | The Wonder Years | No | No | Yes | No | |
| TBA | The Spook Who Sat by the Door | No | No | Yes | No |
Images for kids
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Lee Daniels with his son and daughter at the 2007 world premiere of Spider-Man 3
