When Jeff Daniels stepped into the iconic shoes of Atticus Finch in Broadway’s To Kill a Mockingbird, he wasn’t thinking about Gregory Peck, the legendary actor who immortalized the role in the 1962 film adaptation. Instead, Jeff had someone much closer to his heart on his mind.
“I thought about my dad,” Jeff exclusively shared with Closer Weekly at the 2019 Tony Awards Meet the Nominees event. His father, Robert Lee Daniels, was a man of integrity and principle, owning a lumberyard in Chelsea, Michigan, and even serving as the town’s mayor. “My dad was very much an Atticus,” Jeff explained. “There was a right way to do something and then there were all the other ways. He lived his life by that code, and it’s something that has always stayed with me.”
Staying True to His Roots
Jeff Daniels has always stayed true to his Midwestern roots, never letting the glitz and glamour of Hollywood sway him from who he is. He married his high school sweetheart, Kathleen Treado, in 1979 and shortly after, moved back to Michigan to raise their now-grown children, Ben, Lucas, and Nellie. “I just never bought into the idea that you have to live in Los Angeles to be an actor,” Jeff, now 64, shared. “I love living in Michigan, and it’s been wonderful for my family.”
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A Career Built on Hard Work and Humility
Jeff has brought the same Midwestern work ethic to his career that his father instilled in him. Whether it’s comedies like Dumb and Dumber, action flicks like Speed, or dramas where he showcased his depth, such as his Emmy-winning role in The Newsroom, Jeff has always been driven by a desire to be a good actor rather than a big star. “I never said, ‘I’m going to be a big star,’” he reflected. “I said, ‘I’m going to be a good actor.’ And that’s been my guiding principle throughout my career.”
Advice for the Next Generation
Jeff’s approach to acting has clearly paid off, and he’s now busier than ever. “I’m working harder in this decade than in any other in my life, which isn’t exactly how they teach it in star school,” he joked. But he’s quick to share his wisdom with aspiring actors. “Find out what you want to do and spend the rest of your life getting better at it,” he advises. “That’s what I’ve done, and at 64, I can say it’s served me well.”
Even though Jeff didn’t take home the Tony for his portrayal of Atticus Finch (the award went to Bryan Cranston for Network), he can rest easy knowing he did the role justice, paying tribute not only to Gregory Peck but also to his own father. “I think my dad would be proud,” Jeff said with a smile.
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