Daniel Breaker

Daniel Breaker
Born June 2, 1980
Manhattan, Kansas

Daniel Breaker (born June 2, 1980) is an American actor.

Life and career

Born in Manhattan, Kansas, the son of a career military officer, Breaker grew up partly in Germany and attended Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, a performing arts school in Florida. He then earned a BFA degree from the Juilliard School in 2002. He married director Kate Whoriskey in 2008, and the couple have a son, Rory.[1]

Beginning his career in 2002 immediately after graduating from Juillard, Breaker has performed in Off-Broadway, London and U.S. regional theatre productions. He performed in five plays at the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington D.C. His first major role was the Youth, protagonist of the Off-Broadway premiere of Passing Strange, in which he won an Obie in 2008 for his performance. He was then nominated for a Tony for the show's Broadway transfer, in which he again played the Youth; he also played this role in Spike Lee's filmed version of the musical. Breaker has also been a guest star on television.[1][2]

One of his most recognizable roles was Donkey in the original Broadway production of Shrek the Musical, which ran from November 2008 through January 2010. He starred alongside long-time Broadway stars Brian d'Arcy James, Sutton Foster, John Tartaglia and Christopher Sieber. He earned a Drama Desk Award nonimation for Outstanding Actor in a Musical, for his portrayal.[3][4] His voice can be heard on the original cast recording of the show.

He has also appeared in the plays Well and Cymbeline.[5]

In 2009, he co-hosted the Obie Awards.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b Bernardo, Melissa Rose. "Daniel Breaker on Fatherhood, Donkey-hood (in Shrek) and his Strange New Movie". Interview in Broadway.com, July 27, 2009 accessed March 31, 2009
  2. ^ Daniel Breaker at Playbill.com, accessed March 31, 2020
  3. ^ Miller, Winter (December 28, 2008). "Swamp Creatures Step Out". New York Times (New York). http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/28/fashion/28nite.html. 
  4. ^ Parker, Eloise (December 15, 2008). "Behind the scenes with Daniel Breaker at 'Shrek the Musical'". New York Daily News (New York). http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/arts/2008/12/14/2008-12-14_behind_the_scenes_with_daniel_breaker_at.html. Retrieved 2010-09-01. 
  5. ^ Daniel Breaker at the IBDB Database
  6. ^ "Martha Plimpton and Daniel Breaker to Host 2009 Obie Awards". Broadway.com, March 17, 2009