Lee Daniels Net Worth
Lee Daniels Net Worth is
$5 Million
Lee Daniels Bio/Wiki, Net Worth, Married 2018
Lee Louis Daniels is an American actor, film producer, and director. He produced Monster's Ball and directed Precious, which received six Academy Award nominations, including Best Director; the film won two of the awards. In 2013, Daniels directed The Butler, a historical fi... | Full Name | Lee Daniels |
| Net Worth | $5 Million |
| Date Of Birth | December 24, 1959 |
| Place Of Birth | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Height | 5' 10½" (1.79 m) |
| Profession | Film Producer, Film director, Actor |
| Education | Lindenwood University |
| Nationality | United States of America |
| Children | Clara Daniels, Liam Daniels |
| Parents | William Daniels, Clara Watson |
| Siblings | Leah Daniels, Joyce Daniels Fennell |
| Nicknames | Lee Louis Daniels |
| Awards | Independent Spirit Award for Best Feature, Independent Spirit Award for Best Director, The BET Honors Television and Film Award, NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture, GLAAD Media Davidson/Valentini Award, Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize - U.S. Dramatic, Producers G... |
| Nominations | Academy Award for Best Picture, Academy Award for Best Director, Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Director, Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature, BAFTA Award for Best Film, NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series, NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Directing in a... |
| Movies | The Butler, The Paperboy, Precious, Tennessee, Shadowboxer, Agnes and His Brothers, The Woodsman, Monster's Ball |
| TV Shows | Empire, Star |
| Star Sign | Capricorn |
| # | Trademark |
|---|---|
| 1 | Often casts musicians |
| # | Quote |
|---|---|
| 1 | When I finished "Monster's Ball," people were offering me $2 million to produce one project, $1 million for another; but the stories didn't place persons of color in roles in a positive way. I don't have to have messages in my films, but I have two kids, and it's important to me not to sell out. New York is very expensive, and I need the money, but I felt that if, on my way, I can continue to tell the truth, then ultimately my kids would be proud of me. |
| 2 | Oprah was a producer on Precious (2009) and we were looking for things to do. I sent her something that was my version of a black Misery (1990) where she plays this serial killer. And Oprah said, 'Are you bonkers?' That didn't work, so we developed this role [in The Butler (2013)]. |
| 3 | [re showing dignity of black servants] I come from a family of domestics. I think most African-Americans of my age do. They were trusted by their bosses. I have met so many white people that spent more time with their nannies than they have with their own parents. |
| 4 | [on the editing process] You know what happens? ...The miracles happen through the accidents. I'll give you an example: I made a mistake at Cannes and shouldn't have said this, but this guy was irritating me. He was making such a big deal about Zac Efron in his underwear [in The Paperboy (2012)] and I was, like, fuck'. I had every character based on somebody I know. When the guy asked why I have Zac in his underwear, I said, "Because I'm a gay and I like it." I just thought the question was so stupid. Then I realized I shouldn't have said that, since that isn't the truth. The truth is, as a kid, my mother used to always say, "Why are you always in your underwear? Why are you always walking around in your underwear?" She slapped my head and told me to put some clothes on. Of course, I didn't look like Zac Efron, but that part of movie was on the screen, except without the Efron body. When he goes out and dances in the rain, that was an accident. It rained that day, and it was Nicole's last day. When you're making an independent film, your time is money, and you ain't got money. God told me to put some music on during the scene, so I put my iPod on, picked some songs of the period, and told them to dance after the scene. That's just how it happened. It was the most beautiful, pure moment in the film. The accidents are the miracles. |
| 5 | [on actors and how he works with them] I love these actors [on The Paperboy (2012)], and we're very close. Matthew McConaughey just came to visit me on the set of "The Butler," and it was cathartic. I sort of wept in his arms, because I'm so proud of him and his work. You know, I'm in Butler world creating magic, or a painting, or whatever the fuck it is! When Matthew came to visit, I told him he surprised me and that he did it. Heath Ledger came to visit me on the set of "Precious," and I did sort of the same thing. I love actors, and I'm very protective of them. I trust them. It's a mutual trust. It's not just them trusting me. We don't rehearse. I never say, "Okay, let's go through this scene. Here's the character's motivation and blah, blah, blah!" We talk. They get to know me. They get to know about my weaknesses, my past, and my battles with drugs over the years. We talk about sex, rock 'n' roll, food, and literature. We know who the characters are, because they're already written. It's about getting to know you and to really become friends, so we can make magic. That only comes from knowing each other. By the time I'm ready to yell "action," we know each other so well. We just go for it. |
| 6 | [on how he responds to criticism of his films] I think that they don't get it. It's like a Democrat or a Republican or a poor person or a rich person, in that you understand this world or you don't understand this world. If you don't, then that's okay! Look, my own mother doesn't like my movies [Laughs]. I'm okay with it, because you're entitled to your own opinion. |
| 7 | When I make movies, I don't ever go out there to please anyone other than myself. I never try to make a film for the masses. I just try to tell my story. Here's the thing: I think the media underestimates the intelligence of the moviegoer. We need to be fulfilled. People want to sit down and think, and I try to make people think. |
| 8 | [on what he associates with a Lee Daniels film] That you always find truth. Some people call my style shocking, but I don't know what the hell that means. You can't throw a dart at any of the actors, because they'll always bring their A-game with me. You know, that's what bothers me a little bit. When people don't like the film, I can take a bullet. I don't mind you talking about me, but I'm protective of my actors, because they bared their soul for me. I can't take it when they attack an actor for his or her work, because I think that stops them from being unafraid for their next director or their next piece of work. |
| 9 | [on how much the commercial prospects of a project play into what he decides to make] Of course it does. When you have two kids about to go to college, you have to say it is a business. Unfortunately, I think my artist supersedes that [Laughs]. It's a problem when your artist supersedes your brain! I end up going with what my gut and spirit tell me. |
| 10 | I was always intrigued with European cinema, and hated most American cinema. I didn't like the one, two, three-boom! style, with a neat and tidy ending. That was never my scene. |
| 11 | [on making Precious (2009)]: There wasn't the name game where you have to have this person or that person, and this person equals this amount of money, and that person means it will sell foreign. It was, 'You have X amount of dollars,' __I think we started at $8 million--and 'go with God.' |
| 12 | I can't embrace anything unless I can identify with the world. I think what made Precious (2009) so true is that, down to the wallpaper, I worked from a snapshot of the room that I grew up in, the hallway I grew up in. I knew exactly where the paint was going to chip from the wall. Whether or not I'll be able to capture that detail and that truth again, I don't know. |
| 13 | My roots, my DNA , what I know is what it's like to live as an African-American and as a gay man. And I think trying to marry myself, ad stories that speak to me, to the studio world has been hard. They want Precious (2009), they want another something like that, but they're afraid. |
| # | Fact |
|---|---|
| 1 | Revealed that his father was physically abusive and that he didn't approve of Daniels' homosexuality. |
| 2 | His father, William Daniels, was a police officer in Philadelphia, who was killed in the line of duty. He died when Lee Daniels was 13. |
| 3 | Directed two Oscar nominated performances: Gabourey Sidibe and Mo'Nique. Mo'Nique won for her performance in Precious (2009). |
| 4 | Made his directorial debut at the age of 45. |
| 5 | Was given the novel "Push", which his movie Precious (2009) is based upon, by Ally Sheedy's mother, Charlotte Sheedy, who is a literary agent. |
| 6 | His younger sister is casting director Leah Daniels Butler. |
| 7 | Worked as casting agent and manager since the '80s. Among his clients were Nastassja Kinski and Wes Bentley. |
| 8 | He and Billy Hopkins ended their relationship in 2009. They share custody of their children Clara and Liam. |
| 9 | Has four younger brothers. |
| 10 | Boyfriend since 2009 is Andy Sforzini, an actuary at Prudential Life Insurance. |
| 11 | Suffered a heart attack when he went for a run in the mid-2000s. |
| 12 | Good friends with Mariah Carey. |
| 13 | First African-American to direct a Best Picture Oscar nominee (Precious (2009)). |
| 14 | Second African-American to be nominated for an Oscar® for Best Director (for Precious (2009)). |
| 15 | The second African-American to be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars(Precious (2009)). |
| 16 | Raised twins Clara and Liam, who are biologically his niece and nephew, as his own children since they were three days old in the mid-1990s. They were born to his brother and his girlfriend, and were adopted by Daniels and his then-boyfriend, Billy Hopkins (who is also his casting director). |
Writer
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Star | 2016 | TV Movie filming | |
| Empire | TV Series created by - 37 episodes, 2015 - 2016 written by - 2 episodes, 2015 - 2016 | ||
| The Paperboy | 2012 | screenplay by |
Producer
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Star | 2016 | TV Movie executive producer filming | |
| Empire | 2015-2016 | TV Series executive producer - 27 episodes | |
| The Butler | 2013/I | producer | |
| The Paperboy | 2012 | producer | |
| Precious | 2009/II | producer | |
| Tennessee | 2008 | producer | |
| Shadowboxer | 2005 | producer | |
| The Woodsman | 2004 | producer | |
| Monster's Ball | 2001 | producer |
Director
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Star | 2016 | TV Movie filming | |
| Richard Pryor: Is It Something I Said? | announced | ||
| Empire | 2015 | TV Series 3 episodes | |
| The Butler | 2013/I | ||
| The Paperboy | 2012 | ||
| Precious | 2009/II | ||
| Shadowboxer | 2005 |
Actor
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empire | 2015 | TV Series | Lee Daniels |
| The Paperboy | 2012 | Bartender (uncredited) | |
| Shadowboxer | 2005 | Man in Steam Room | |
| Agnes and His Brothers | 2004 | Henry Preminger | |
| A Little Off Mark | 1986 | Short | Steve, Mark's best friend |
Thanks
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| BlackBox: Saturation of the Implication | 2018 | grateful acknowledgment post-production | |
| Alone: The Only Thing to Fear Is Yourself | 2016 | grateful acknowledgment | |
| Blip Festival: Reformat the Planet | 2008 | Documentary thanks | |
| Grand Theft Parsons | 2003 | special thanks |
Self
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Talk Stoop with Cat Greenleaf | 2015-2016 | TV Series | Himself |
| Essence Ninth Annual Black Women in Hollywood | 2016 | TV Movie | Himself |
| The 47th NAACP Image Awards | 2016 | TV Movie | Himself |
| Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall | 2016 | Documentary | Himself |
| The View | 2015 | TV Series | Himself |
| Close Up with the Hollywood Reporter | 2015 | TV Series | Himself |
| Entertainment Tonight | 2008-2015 | TV Series | Himself / Himself - Creator, Empire / Himself - Exec Producer, Empire |
| The Insider | 2015 | TV Series | Himself |
| Late Night with Seth Meyers | 2015 | TV Series | Himself |
| The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore | 2015 | TV Series | Himself - Panelist |
| Liberatum Inspiring Creativity | 2014 | Short | Himself |
| 28 Men of Change | 2014 | TV Movie | Himself |
| E! Live from the Red Carpet | 2014 | TV Series | Himself |
| The Arsenio Hall Show | 2014 | TV Series | Himself - Guest |
| The Hollywood Reporter Roundtables | 2013 | TV Series | Himself |
| Made in Hollywood | 2013 | TV Series | Himself |
| Larry King Now | 2013 | TV Series | Himself - Guest |
| Oprah's Next Chapter | 2013 | TV Series | Himself |
| Charlie Rose | 2006-2013 | TV Series | Himself - Guest |
| Fatherhood 101 | 2013 | Documentary | Himself |
| Dann Firestorm: I Am Film | 2013 | TV Mini-Series | Himself |
| Cinema 3 | 2010-2013 | TV Series | Himself |
| Iconoclasts | 2010 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
| The Wendy Williams Show | 2010 | TV Series | Himself |
| A Precious Ensemble | 2010 | Video documentary short | Himself |
| From Push to Precious | 2010 | Video documentary short | Himself |
| Oprah & Tyler: A Project of Passion | 2010 | Video documentary short | Himself |
| The 82nd Annual Academy Awards | 2010 | TV Special | Himself - Nominee: Best Picture & Best Director |
| 25th Film Independent Spirit Awards | 2010 | TV Special | Himself |
| Moving Pictures Live! | 2010 | TV Series | Himself |
| 41st NAACP Image Awards | 2010 | TV Special | Himself |
| The Oprah Winfrey Show | 2009-2010 | TV Series | Himself |
| Xposé | 2010 | TV Series | Himself |
| The Daily Show | 2010 | TV Series | Himself |
| The Black List: Volume Three | 2010 | Documentary | Himself |
| The 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards | 2010 | TV Special | Himself - Nominee: Best Motion Picture - Drama |
| 15th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards | 2010 | TV Special | Himself |
| In the House with Peter Bart & Peter Guber | 2009 | TV Series | |
| Stockholms 20th International Film Festival | 2009 | TV Movie | Himself |
| The Mo'Nique Show | 2009 | TV Series | Himself |
| My Big Break | 2009 | Documentary | Himself |
| Media City | 2008 | TV Series | Himself |
| Indie Sex: Censored | 2007 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
Archive Footage
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entertainment Tonight | 2015-2016 | TV Series | Himself |
| Ok! TV | 2015 | TV Series | Himself |
| Inside Edition | 2015 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
| Live from Studio Five | 2010 | TV Series | Himself |
Won Awards
| Year | Award | Ceremony | Nomination | Movie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Hollywood Award | Acapulco Black Film Festival | Movie of the Year | The Butler (2013) |
| 2013 | Hollywood Film Award | Hollywood Film Awards | Director of the Year | The Butler (2013) |
| 2011 | Capri Social Award | Capri, Hollywood | ||
| 2011 | CinEuphoria | CinEuphoria Awards | Top Ten of the Year - Audience Award | Precious (2009) |
| 2011 | CinEuphoria | CinEuphoria Awards | Top Ten of the Year - International Competition | Precious (2009) |
| 2010 | AFI Award | AFI Awards, USA | Movie of the Year | Precious (2009) |
| 2010 | Career Achievement Award | American Black Film Festival | ||
| 2010 | Black Reel | Black Reel Awards | Best Director | Precious (2009) |
| 2010 | Black Reel | Black Reel Awards | Best Film | Precious (2009) |
| 2010 | Davidson/Valentini Award | GLAAD Media Awards | ||
| 2010 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture (Theatrical or Television) | Precious (2009) |
| 2010 | Independent Spirit Award | Independent Spirit Awards | Best Feature | Precious (2009) |
| 2010 | Independent Spirit Award | Independent Spirit Awards | Best Director | Precious (2009) |
| 2010 | Stanley Kramer Award | PGA Awards | Precious (2009) | |
| 2009 | AAFCA Award | African-American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) | Best Director | Precious (2009) |
| 2009 | Artistic Achievement Award | Chicago International Film Festival | ||
| 2009 | Audience Choice Award | Chicago International Film Festival | Precious (2009) | |
| 2009 | Russell Smith Award | Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards | Precious (2009) | |
| 2009 | Jury Special Prize | Deauville Film Festival | Precious (2009) | |
| 2009 | Audience Award | Hawaii International Film Festival | Best Narrative Feature | Precious (2009) |
| 2009 | Audience Award | San Sebastián International Film Festival | Precious (2009) | |
| 2009 | TVE Otra Mirada Award | San Sebastián International Film Festival | Precious (2009) | |
| 2009 | Audience Choice Award | St. Louis International Film Festival | Best Feature Film | Precious (2009) |
| 2009 | FIPRESCI Prize - Honorable Mention | Stockholm Film Festival | Precious (2009) | |
| 2009 | Grand Jury Prize | Sundance Film Festival | Dramatic | Precious (2009) |
| 2009 | Audience Award | Sundance Film Festival | Dramatic | Precious (2009) |
| 2009 | People's Choice Award | Toronto International Film Festival | Precious (2009) | |
| 2005 | Black Reel | Black Reel Awards | Best Independent Film | The Woodsman (2004) |
| 2002 | MECCA Movie Award | Urbanworld Film Festival | Visionary Award |
Nominated Awards
| Year | Award | Ceremony | Nomination | Movie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series | Empire (2015) |
| 2016 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Directing in a Dramatic Series | Empire (2015) |
| 2014 | Hollywood Award | Acapulco Black Film Festival | Best Director | The Butler (2013) |
| 2014 | Black Reel | Black Reel Awards | Outstanding Motion Picture | The Butler (2013) |
| 2014 | Black Reel | Black Reel Awards | Outstanding Director, Motion Picture | The Butler (2013) |
| 2014 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture | The Butler (2013) |
| 2013 | Best of Puchon | Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival | The Paperboy (2012) | |
| 2012 | Palme d'Or | Cannes Film Festival | The Paperboy (2012) | |
| 2011 | Robert | Robert Festival | Best American Film (Årets amerikanske film) | Precious (2009) |
| 2010 | Oscar | Academy Awards, USA | Best Motion Picture of the Year | Precious (2009) |
| 2010 | Oscar | Academy Awards, USA | Best Achievement in Directing | Precious (2009) |
| 2010 | BAFTA Film Award | BAFTA Awards | Best Film | Precious (2009) |
| 2010 | Movies for Grownups Award | AARP Movies for Grownups Awards | Best Director | Precious (2009) |
| 2010 | Amanda | Amanda Awards, Norway | Best Foreign Feature Film (Årets utenlandske kinofilm) | Precious (2009) |
| 2010 | Critics Choice Award | Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards | Best Director | Precious (2009) |
| 2010 | DGA Award | Directors Guild of America, USA | Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures | Precious (2009) |
| 2010 | PGA Award | PGA Awards | Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures | Precious (2009) |
| 2009 | EDA Award | Alliance of Women Film Journalists | Best Picture | Precious (2009) |
| 2009 | ACCA | Awards Circuit Community Awards | Best Motion Picture | Precious (2009) |
| 2009 | Un Certain Regard Award | Cannes Film Festival | Precious (2009) | |
| 2009 | Grand Special Prize | Deauville Film Festival | Precious (2009) | |
| 2009 | HFCS Award | Houston Film Critics Society Awards | Best Director | Precious (2009) |
| 2009 | Satellite Award | Satellite Awards | Best Director | Precious (2009) |
| 2009 | Bronze Horse | Stockholm Film Festival | Precious (2009) | |
| 2009 | WAFCA Award | Washington DC Area Film Critics Association Awards | Best Director | Precious (2009) |
| 2005 | Independent Spirit Award | Independent Spirit Awards | Best First Feature | The Woodsman (2004) |
| 2002 | AFI Award | AFI Awards, USA | Movie of the Year | Monster's Ball (2001) |
3rd Place Awards
| Year | Award | Ceremony | Nomination | Movie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | DFWFCA Award | Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards | Best Director | Precious (2009) |
Known for movies
Empire (2015-2016)
as Writer
The Paperboy (2012)
as Writer
Precious (2009)
as Producer
The Butler (2013)
as Producer