John Francis Daley

John Francis Daley is an American filmmaker and actor whose career spans over two decades, beginning with his stage debut as young Tommy in the touring production of The Who’s Tommy and evolving into prominent roles on television and in Hollywood. Born on July 20, 1985 in Wheeling, Illinois, he grew up in Nyack, New York, the son of actor R.F. Daley and piano teacher Nancy Daley, blending an Irish‑Catholic heritage from his father with his mother’s Jewish background. Daley first gained widespread recognition portraying the earnest high‑school freshman Sam Weir on NBC’s cult classic Freaks and Geeks, a performance that earned him a place on VH1’s “100 Greatest Teen Stars.” He later solidified his television reputation as the witty FBI profiler Dr. Lance Sweets on Bones, a role that lasted nine seasons and garnered a 2014 PRISM Award nomination. Beyond acting, Daley has cultivated a successful writing and directing partnership with Jonathan Goldstein, co‑authoring the hit comedies Horrible Bosses (2011) and The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (2013), and co‑directing the National Lampoon’s Vacation sequel (2015). Their collaboration extended to blockbuster franchise work, contributing to the screenplay of Spider‑Man: Homecoming (2017) and co‑directing the critically acclaimed Game Night (2018), which grossed $117 million worldwide on a $37 million budget. Most recently, Daley co‑wrote and co‑directed the fantasy adventure Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023), demonstrating his versatility across genres. In addition to his behind‑the‑scenes achievements, Daley is an active musician, playing keyboards and providing vocals for the indie band Dayplayer. He married screenwriter Corinne Kingsbury in 2016, and the couple welcomed their first child in 2020, balancing a thriving family life with a relentless creative output that continues to shape contemporary comedy and genre filmmaking.