Jeff Daniels: Movies, Awards & Box Office
- films
- 72
- as director
- 1
- on screen
- 1980–2026
- box office
- $2.24B
- nominations
- 3
- average score
- 75
- Born
- February 19, 1955 (age 71)
- Birthplace
- Athens, Georgia, U.S.
- Full name
- Jeffrey Warren Daniels
- Citizenship
- American
- Occupations
- Actor
- Years active
- 1976–present
- Spouses
- Kathleen Rosemary Treado
- Children
- 3
The Best Jeff Daniels Movies
The highest-rated films Jeff Daniels is credited on, by the Movie Echo Score that blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact. Adam (2020) scores highest, at 88. The full ranking adds the biggest box office hits and the most awarded films.
Jeff Daniels's Career in Numbers
Jeff Daniels's films in numbers — as an actor, not counting appearances as themselves: when they were made, the genres Jeff Daniels works in most and the milestones along the way. The filmography runs from A Rumor of War (1980) to The Brink of War (2026), and the 1990s were the busiest decade.
Jeff Daniels Movies by Decade
- 1980s 10
- 1990s 17
- 2000s 17
- 2010s 10
- 2020s 8
The 1990s were Jeff Daniels's busiest decade, with 17 films.
Jeff Daniels Movies by Genre
- Drama 26
- Comedy 8
- Action 4
- Thriller 4
- Documentary 3
- History 3
- Adventure 3
- Biography 2
- Tv movie 2
- Sci-Fi 2
Drama is the genre Jeff Daniels has worked in most, with 26 films, ahead of comedy (8).
Jeff Daniels Career Milestones
- First film
- A Rumor of War 1980
- Biggest box office hit
- The Martian $631M worldwide
- Best-rated film
- Adam Movie Echo Score 88
- Newest film
- The Brink of War 2026
Jeff Daniels Filmography: Every Movie
Every film Jeff Daniels is credited on, newest first, with the role, the box office and the Movie Echo Score. 1 as director and 61 as actor. Rated films average a score of 75. Re-order the list to see the best-rated films or the biggest hits first.
Movies Directed by Jeff Daniels
1Jeff Daniels Movies as an Actor
61- 2026
The Brink of War as Ronald Reagan · Drama Worldwide box office: $5.05M - 2024
A Man in Full as Charlie Croker · Drama - 2023
The American Buffalo as (voice) · Documentary Worldwide box office: $433K - 2021
9/11: Inside the President’s War Room as Narrator · History Movie Echo Score: 79 - 2021
Hemingway as Ernest Hemingway (voice) · Documentary - 2020
Guest Artist as Joseph Harris · Drama Worldwide box office: $10K Movie Echo Score: 57 - 2020
Adam as Mickey · Drama Worldwide box office: $997 Movie Echo Score: 88 - 2020
The Comey Rule as James Comey · Drama - 2019
Guest Artist as Joseph Harris · Drama Worldwide box office: $10K Movie Echo Score: 65 - 2018
The Catcher Was a Spy Biography Worldwide box office: $954K Movie Echo Score: 55 - 2018
The Looming Tower as John O'Neill · Drama - 2017
Godless as Frank Griffin · Western Worldwide box office: $6.76K - 2017
Rolling Stone: Stories From the Edge as Narrator · Documentary - 2016
The Divergent Series: Allegiant Action Worldwide box office: $297M - 2015
Steve Jobs Biography Worldwide box office: $34.4M - 2015
The Martian Action Worldwide box office: $631M - 2014
Dumb and Dumber To Comedy Worldwide box office: $170M - 2012
Looper Action Worldwide box office: $177M - 2009
The Answer Man Comedy Worldwide box office: $26.7K - 2008
Space Chimps Adventure Worldwide box office: $65.1M - 2008
Sweet Nothing in My Ear as Dan Miller · Tv movie - 2007
Mama’s Boy as Mert Rosenbloom · Drama - 2007
The Lookout Drama Worldwide box office: $5.37M - 2005
Because of Winn-Dixie Drama Worldwide box office: $33.6M - 2004
Imaginary Heroes Drama Worldwide box office: $291K - 2004
The Five People You Meet In Heaven as Blue Man · Fantasy - 2003
I Witness as James Rhodes · Mystery - 2003
Gods and Generals Action Worldwide box office: $12.9M - 2002
Super Sucker as Fred Barlow · Comedy Worldwide box office: $138K - 2001
Escanaba in da Moonlight as Rueben Soady · Comedy Worldwide box office: $2.28M - 2000
Chasing Sleep as Ed Saxon · Thriller - 2000
All the Rage Drama Worldwide box office: $9.73K - 2000
Cheaters as Dr. Gerard Plecki · Tv movie - 2000
The Crossing as Gen. George Washington · History - 1999
My Favorite Martian Sci-Fi Worldwide box office: $36.9M - 1998
Pleasantville Drama Worldwide box office: $49.8M - 1997
Trial and Error as Charles Tuttle · Comedy Worldwide box office: $14.6M - 1996
101 Dalmatians Adventure Worldwide box office: $321M - 1996
2 Days in the Valley Thriller Worldwide box office: $11.1M - 1996
Fly Away Home Adventure Worldwide box office: $25.1M - 1995
Redwood Curtain as Lyman Fellers · Drama - 1994
Dumb and Dumber Comedy Worldwide box office: $247M - 1993
Gettysburg as Col. Joshua Chamberlain · Drama Worldwide box office: $10.8M - 1992
There Goes the Neighborhood as Willis Embry · Comedy - 1992
Rain Without Thunder as Jonathan Garson · Drama - 1992
Teamster Boss: The Jackie Presser Story as Tom Noonan · Drama - 1992
Timescape as Ben Wilson · Sci-Fi - 1991
The Butcher’s Wife as Dr. Alex Tremor · Romance Worldwide box office: $9.69M - 1990
Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael Drama Worldwide box office: $3.99M - 1990
Arachnophobia Thriller Worldwide box office: $53.2M - 1990
Love Hurts as Paul Weaver · Drama - 1989
No Place Like Home as Mike Cooper · Drama - 1988
Checking Out as Ray Macklin · Comedy Worldwide box office: $30.9K - 1988
Sweet Hearts Dance as Sam Manners · Romance Worldwide box office: $3.79M - 1988
The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial as Lt. Steve Maryk · Drama - 1988
The House on Carroll Street as Cochran · Thriller Worldwide box office: $460K - 1986
Something Wild Drama Worldwide box office: $8.36M - 1985
Marie: A True Story as Eddie Sisk · Drama - 1985
The Purple Rose of Cairo Drama Worldwide box office: $10.6M - 1982
Fifth of July as Jed Jenkins · Drama - 1980
A Rumor of War as Chaplain · Drama
Jeff Daniels in Documentaries & Specials
10- 2023
Bye Bye Barry as Self · Documentary Worldwide box office: $151K Movie Echo Score: 90 - 2023
The Saint of Second Chances as Self - Narrator · Documentary Movie Echo Score: 83 - 2021
Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age as Self · Documentary - 2020
Washington as Self - Narrator · Documentary - 2019
The Russian Five as Self · Sport Worldwide box office: $485K Movie Echo Score: 80 - 2017
Broadway: The Next Generation as Self · Tv movie - 2015
Of Miracles and Men as Self - Narrator · Documentary Worldwide box office: $11.7K - 2013
James Gandolfini: Tribute to a Friend as Self · Documentary - 2004
Dumb and Dumber - Making Of as Self · Documentary - 1997
Walt Disney World’s 25th Anniversary Party as Self · Documentary
Jeff Daniels: Awards & Nominations
3 nominations across 2 award bodies, from 1986 to 2006. Every ceremony is listed newest first, with the category and the film.
-
Golden Globes 2 nominations -
Spirit Awards 1 nomination
-
21st Film Independent Spirit Awards- Jeff Daniels: Nominated Best Male Lead The Squid and the Whale
-
44th Golden Globe Awards- Jeff Daniels: Nominated Best Actor – Comedy or Musical Something Wild
-
43rd Golden Globe Awards- Jeff Daniels: Nominated Best Actor – Comedy or Musical The Purple Rose of Cairo
Who Is Jeff Daniels?
Jeff Daniels was born in Athens, Georgia, U.S. in 1955 and is 71 years old. Credited on films since 1980, as an actor. The background, training and the roles that shaped the career.
Jeffrey Warren Daniels, famously known as Jeff Daniels, is a versatile American actor celebrated for his exceptional roles across stage and screen, oscillating seamlessly between comedy and drama. Born on February 19, 1955, Daniels has proven his prowess on multiple platforms over the decades, winning multiple accolades, including two Primetime Emmy Awards, while garnering nominations for five Golden Globe Awards, five Screen Actors Guild Awards, and three Tony Awards.
Daniels' acting journey began with his film debut in 'Ragtime' (1981) and continued with notable films like 'Terms of Endearment' (1983), and 'Heartburn' (1986). His prowess grew with time, earning him critical acclaim for performances in 'The Purple Rose of Cairo' (1985), 'Something Wild' (1986), and 'The Squid and the Whale' (2005). He also starred in popular films like 'Gettysburg' (1993), 'Dumb and Dumber' (1994), 'The Hours' (2002), 'Good Night, and Good Luck' (2005), and 'The Martian' (2015). On television, Daniels shone brightly in the HBO political drama series 'The Newsroom,' for which he won the 2013 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. Daniels also received acclaim for his portrayal of FBI director James Comey in 'The Comey Rule' (2020). Daniels' work on stage is equally commendable, with Broadway debuts like 'Gemini' (1977), and Tony-nominated roles like 'God of Carnage' (2009) and 'To Kill a Mockingbird' (2018–2021). He is also the founder and current executive director of the Chelsea, Michigan Purple Rose Theatre Company.
Who Jeff Daniels Makes Movies With
The actors and directors Jeff Daniels shares the most films with. Peter Coyote comes first, with 3 films together, followed by Anna Paquin (2).
Jeff Daniels: Questions & Answers
How many movies Jeff Daniels has made, the biggest hit, the best-rated film, the award record and more, answered from the filmography above.
How many movies has Jeff Daniels been in?
Jeff Daniels is credited on 72 films, from 1980 to 2026. 61 of them as an actor and 1 as a director. The filmography on this page lists every one of them, newest first, with the role and the Movie Echo Score.
What is Jeff Daniels's highest-grossing movie?
The Martian (2015) is Jeff Daniels's biggest box office hit, with $631M worldwide, ahead of 101 Dalmatians (1996) ($321M). Across every film with box office figures, Jeff Daniels's movies have made $2.24B.
Jeff Daniels's biggest hits What is the best Jeff Daniels movie?
By the Movie Echo Score, which blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact, Jeff Daniels's best-rated film is Bye Bye Barry (2023) with a score of 90, followed by Adam (2020) (88).
Best Jeff Daniels movies, ranked Has Jeff Daniels won an Oscar?
Jeff Daniels has not been nominated for an Oscar. Across every ceremony in the awards database, Jeff Daniels has 0 wins from 3 nominations.
How old is Jeff Daniels?
Jeff Daniels is 71 years old, born on February 19, 1955 in Athens, Georgia, U.S..
What is Jeff Daniels's newest movie?
The most recent film on Jeff Daniels's filmography is The Brink of War (2026), in the role of Ronald Reagan.
Who does Jeff Daniels work with most often?
Jeff Daniels shares the most films with Peter Coyote (3 films), Anna Paquin (2 films) and Paul Giamatti (2 films).
The Best Jeff Daniels Movies, Ranked
Top rated, most awarded and biggest box office hits from 72 credits.
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