James McDaniel is an American actor best known for his role as Lieutenant Arthur Fancy on the television show NYPD Blue. He is married to Hannelore Kreiten and together they have two children, Dorian McDaniel and Deal McDaniel.
Like many actors, James dropped his degree certificate as a veterinarian to pursue his passion in the entertainment industry. It’s not clear why he started veterinary medicine in the first place however, there are opinions that suggest his father, also a physician may have influenced his decision.
From the stage to the big screens, James has recorded over 50 acting credits since his first role in a Pepsi commercial. Here’s what you should know about him.
Brief Biography Of James McDaniel
It was on March 25, 1958, that James McDaniel Jr. was born to his parents James McDaniel and Thelma McDaniel. He was brought up in Washington, D.C., United States and he is seemingly the only child as there are no records of his other siblings.
Though not so much about his early life and family background can be established, we garnered that his father the senior McDaniels was a physician who shared a great interest in his personal life and career.
As you would find, James proceeded to the University of Pennsylvania to study veterinary medicine after his preparatory education; a decision which may have been influenced by his father. However, he relocated to New York after his final exams and pushed for a different career.
Rather than practicing his course choice, James decided to pursue acting and enrolled in dance and voice lessons. A few months into his new passion, the Washinton DC native earned a role in a Pepsi commercial that nudged him into the entertainment industry. This also prepared grounds for his stage acting and later television and film roles.
The Actor is Married and Has Two Children
James Mc Daniels isn’t one that enjoys talking about his family life nonetheless, it’s can be proven that he is married to Hannelore Kreiten. Information about how and when the pair met has not been established. What is known is that they exchanged marital vows sometime in 1982 and the ceremony was witnessed by close friends and family.
From calculations, James and Hannelore have been married for over 4 decades and there have been no controversial issues between them. They are also proud parents of two children, Dorian McDaniel, and Deal McDaniel.
Here are Other Fascinating Facts About James McDaniel
1. He Started Acting on Stage
For over three decades, the American actor James McDaniel has made his mark in the acting world. He is known to have graced several films and television series such as Strictly Business (1991), Malcolm X (1992), Sunshine State (2002), and The Deuce (2017), For Life (2020). However, he started off as a stage actor before stepping into the big screen.
His first stage performance was The Harvesting in 1984 at the Circle Repertory theatre n New York. Thereafter, he starred in Balm of Gilead (1984), The Mound Builders (1986), Caligula (1986), Six Degrees of Separation (1990), Before it Hits Home (1992), A Soldier Play (2005), and The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter (2009).
2. James McDaniel is Best Known for His Role as Lt. Arthur Fancy
You would easily recall James McDaniel from the 1990 series Cop Rock where he played a police officer and the ABC TV series Detroit where he played Sgt Jesse Longford. Nonetheless, he is best known for portraying Lt Arthur Fancy on the television show NYPD Blue from seasons one through eight.
In the TV show, his character was an African American commander faced with several forms of bigotry and later got promoted from just a lieutenant to a Captain.
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3. The Washinton DC’ Native has 4 Awards to his Name
Well known for his realistic acting style, James has received a number of awards for his acting. In 1995, he won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for NYPD Blue and in 2006 he won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in a Children/Youth/Family Special, Edge of America.
Prior to this, he received an Obie Award in 1999 for the stage performance Before It Hits and later a Clarence Derwent Award for Six Degrees of Separation in 1991.
4. He was a Fraternity Brother in Sigma Phi Epsilon
While at the University of Pennsylvania, James McDaniel Jr. was part of the Sigma Phi Epsilon which is one of the strongest and most popular fraternities in history.
It is a social college fraternity that is mainly for male college students in the United States.
5. James McDaniel is Estimated at $5 Million
James’ primary source of income remains his career in the entertainment industry as a stage, screen, and television actor. He has recorded over 50 acting credits which have garnered him an impressive net worth of $5 million.
While the actor has never revealed how much he makes from his performance, most of his movies have reportedly recorded great success.
