John Francis Daley

Early life

Daley is the son of R.F. Daley, an actor, and Nancy Daley, a piano teacher. His father is of Irish Catholic background, while his mother is Jewish. He grew up in Nyack, New York, where he played Danny in Nyack Middle School's production of Grease.

Career

Daley began acting when he was cast as young Tommy in the U.S. and international tours of the Broadway hit The Who's Tommy. He played Sam Weir, protagonist of the "Geeks", in the television series Freaks and Geeks, and since then he has worked continuously in television, including series such as The Geena Davis Show, Boston Public, Regular Joe, Kitchen Confidential, Judging Amy, and Spin City. He was #94 on VH1's 100 Greatest Teen Stars.

In 2001, Daley co-directed a short film titled What Babies Do. He also wrote and starred in the comedy short Friday Night. In 2005, he appeared in the film Waiting... and in the Fox sitcom Kitchen Confidential. In 2007, Daley joined the cast of the Fox drama series Bones, portraying psychologist Lance Sweets. He co-wrote the season six episode "The Truth in the Myth" with his writing partner Jonathan Goldstein. Sweets was ultimately killed in the season 10 premiere; Bones executive producer Stephen Nathan said Sweets was killed because Daley wanted time off to direct a movie, and he was concerned that Daley's absence would be too long, especially if the directing job led to other jobs.

Daley was also featured in the music video for "Mercy Kiss" by Abandoned Pools.

In 2011, Daley and his writing partner Jonathan M. Goldstein wrote the black comedy Horrible Bosses. In 2013, Daley co-wrote The Incredible Burt Wonderstone with Goldstein; Daley also has a cameo in the film as a paramedic. In 2013, the two were hired to write Call of the Wild for DreamWorks Studios. John plays Ben House in Rapture-Palooza. Daley went on to write the story for the sequel to Horrible Bosses.

Daley and Goldstein co-wrote and co-directed the 2015 film Vacation, the latest installment of the National Lampoon's Vacation film series, starring Ed Helms and Christina Applegate.

Daley and Goldstein wrote the screenplay for the 2017 film Spider-Man: Homecoming with four other screenwriters, and were both considered to direct before Jon Watts was hired.

Daley and Goldstein directed the 2018 black comedy Game Night, based on a screenplay by Mark Perez. The film, starring Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams, "earned a raft of glowing reviews for its whip-smart script, energetic performances, and deliberate avoidance of modern comedy's ubiquitous tropes," and grossed $117 million at the worldwide box office, versus a $37 million budget. While Daley and Goldstein did not receive screenwriter credit, they later said they rewrote "almost all of the original script's dialogue, totally overhauled the characters — most notably a creepy cop portrayed by Jesse Plemons — and comprehensively reworked the original script's third act."

In 2018, it was announced that the duo were set to direct a film adaptation of DC Comics' The Flash for their DC Extended Universe, but it was announced in July that they have left the project. Despite this, both Daley and Goldstein received story by credit alongside Joby Harold.

In July 2019, it was announced that Goldstein and Daley were entering early negotiations to direct the reboot of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023). In January 2020, it was announced that, in addition to directing the film, Goldstein and Daley were also writing a new draft of the screenplay.

Filmography

Short films

Feature films

Acting credits

Television

Acting credits

Awards and nominations

References

References

1. (June 25, 2023). "'Freaks and Geeks' Cast: Where Are They Now?".
2. Rose, Mike. (2023-07-20). "Famous birthdays list for July 20, 2023 includes celebrities Gisele Bundchen, Julianne Hough".
3. "John Francis Daley as Lance Sweets".
4. "My space".
5. (July 5, 2011). "Interfaith Celebrities: a Former Geek, the Equestrian Author, and an Aboriginal Jewish Doctor". [[InterfaithFamily.com]].
6. (February 23, 2012). "John Francis Daley". Twitter – @JohnFDaley.
7. (April 14, 2011). "John Francis Daley on co-writing tonight's episode of 'Bones' and sharing a scene with his dad for the first time. (Awww.)". [[Entertainment Weekly]].
8. (September 2012). "The Talented Mr Daley". meinmyplace.com.
9. "John Francis Daley: Cult Star Confidential".
10. "5 Things You Didn't Know About Bones' John Francis Daley". wetpaint.
11. Thomlison, Adam. "Q&A". [[TV Tabloid]].
12. Graser, Marc. "Writers set for Dreamworks' 'Wild'". www.dreamworksstudios.com.
13. (February 27, 2012). "'Horrible Bosses' Writers to Direct 'Vacation' Reboot (Exclusive)". Hollywood Reporter.
14. (July 25, 2015). "Back To Walley World: The Griswolds Go On 'Vacation' Again". [[NPR]].
15. Fleming, Mike Jr.. (June 2, 2015). "'Spider-Man' Director Short List Topped By Ted Melfi & Jonathan Levine".
16. (June 23, 2015). "Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios Find Their 'Spider-Man' Star and Director".
17. (21 June 2018). "How Game Night Broke Modern Comedy's Rules to Win at the Box Office". Vulture.com.
18. (16 January 2018). "'Flash' Standalone Film Taps Directors John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein (EXCLUSIVE)".
19. (2021-12-22). "Michael Shannon Appears on 'The Flash' Movie Cast List".
20. "The Flash - WGA Directory".
21. Kroll, Justin. (2019-07-30). "Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley in Talks to Direct 'Dungeons & Dragons' Movie".
22. Goldstein, Jonathan. (2020-01-21). "This just in... #dndpic.twitter.com/gBVNhwSi8h".
23. Petski, Denise. (February 28, 2024). "Garret Dillahunt, Nolan North, Elijah Richardson Among 6 Cast In Peacock's Satanic Panic Thriller Series 'Hysteria!'".