Daniel Breaker
| Daniel Breaker | |
|---|---|
| Born |
June 2, 1980 Manhattan, Kansas, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Actor, comedian |
| Spouse(s) | Kate Whoriskey |
| Children | 2 |
Daniel Breaker (born June 2, 1980) is an American actor and comedian, best known for playing Donkey in Shrek the Musical.
Early life
Breaker was born in Manhattan, Kansas on June 2, 1980, the son of a career military officer. He 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.
Career
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 5 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 TV.[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]
Breaker is currently playing Mafala Hatimbi in The Book of Mormon on Broadway.
Personal life
Breaker married Kate Whoriskey in 2008, and they have two sons, Rory and August.[1]
References
- 1 2 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
- ↑ Daniel Breaker at Playbill.com, accessed March 31, 2020
- ↑ Miller, Winter (December 28, 2008). "Swamp Creatures Step Out". New York Times. New York.
- ↑ Parker, Eloise (December 15, 2008). "Behind the scenes with Daniel Breaker at 'Shrek the Musical'". New York Daily News. New York. Retrieved 2010-09-01.
- ↑ Daniel Breaker at the IBDB Database
- ↑ "Martha Plimpton and Daniel Breaker to Host 2009 Obie Awards". Broadway.com, March 17, 2009