9 Jeff Daniels movies and TV shows you must watch if you admire the actor

Jeff Daniels is an actor who is known for his extensive work in movies, TV, and stage. The actor is known for his ability to seamlessly portray both comedic and dramatic characters and he has won the Emmy Awards, along with being nominated for Golden Globe Awards, the Screen Actors Guild Awards, and the Tony Awards. Some of his most famous work includes Something Wild, Dumb and Dumber, The Martian, and more. The actor has also played important roles on TV in shows like The Newsroom and The Looming Tower. Fans of the actor therefore, must check out these 9 movies and TV shows by Jeff Daniels.

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The Newsroom, The Purple Rose of Cairo, and other Jeff Daniels movies and TV shows

1. Dumb and Dumber

Directed by Peter Farrelly, this buddy comedy movie features Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels and focuses on Lloyd Christmas (Carrey) and Harry Dunne (Daniels), who are two dim-witted but naïve friends in Providence, Rhode Island. The two take a trip to Aspen, Colorado, when they find a suitcase full of cash and decide to return it to its owner, who has left it by mistake. However, the suitcase of money is actually left as a ransom. Even though it got mixed reviews from critics, it was a box office success and has since become a cult classic and one of the defining comedy movies of all time. Jeff Daniels proves that he can play comedic roles with as much ease as he can play serious roles. He shares stellar chemistry with Carrey and the two deliver an all-out comedy entertainer. The actor highlights his prowess at doing slapstick humor and displays his acting range.

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2. The Newsroom

Created and written by Aaron Sorkin and starring Jeff Daniels, Dev Patel, and others, this political drama series has three seasons and aired from 2012 to 2014. The show focuses on the behind-the-scenes events at the fictional Atlantis Cable News or ACN channel. Jeff Daniels plays the role of anchor Will McAvoy, who wants to create a news show with his staff, even as he battles corporate and commercial obstacles and also has to deal with his personal life. The show was a critical and commercial hit and is one of the must-watch performances by Daniels. The actor gives a stellar performance as the anchor and editor who is courageous and willing to share his political ideologies unabashedly. The actor embodies his character and brings enigma, intelligence, and a range of emotions for the role. Fans of the actor must watch this one as Daniels seamlessly creates an intriguing persona for the role.

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3. Godless

Starring Michelle Dockery, Jeff Daniels, and others, this Western drama miniseries is created by Scott Frank, who also writes and directs the show. The show has seven episodes and is set in 1884, where a young outlaw on the run from his ruthless mentor, finds himself in a New Mexico town that is almost entirely run by women. The show received positive reviews and Jeff Daniels plays the role of Frank Griffin, who is the menacing outlaw from whom the young Roy Goode (Jack O’Connell) is running away from. Once again, Daniels showcases his range as an actor and highlights his ability to take on serious roles well. The actor plays the main antagonist with flair and charisma and showcases his depth and range. He steals the show in whichever scene he is in and embodies the dark and gritty nature of his character. It is one of the must-watch performances by Daniels that fans of the actor must watch.

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4. The Purple Rose of Cairo

Directed and written by Woody Allen, this period fantasy and romantic comedy movie features Mia Farrow, Jeff Daniels, and others. The movie is set in Depression-era New Jersey and focuses on Cecilia (Farrow), who is a waitress and in an abusive marriage with Monk (Danny Aiello). However, when a film character Tom/Gil (Daniels), falls in love with Cecilia, she flees her abusive husband. The movie was a critical success and Jeff Daniels brilliantly plays the character of an archaeologist, who is brought into reality by fantastical means. Compared to other Woody Allen movies, which are more serious in nature, the movie is delightful and emotional and Daniels once again showcases his ability to take on a character with full dedication. It is one of those movies that comes early on in Daniels’ career and fans of the actor must watch how the actor brilliantly embodies the role.

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5. The Looming Tower

Based on the 2006 book of the same name by Lawrence Wright, this drama miniseries is created by Dan Futterman, Alex Gibney, and Wright. Featuring Jeff Daniels, Bill Camp, and others, the show has ten episodes and focuses on the rising threat that Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda posed in the late 1990s. It also looks at the rivalry between the FBI and the CIA and how it led to the mismanagement during the 9/11 attacks. It centers around the I-49 Squad in New York and the Alec Station in Washington DC, which are the counter-terrorism divisions of the FBI and the CIA respectively, and how they carry on missions to tackle terrorism. Jeff Daniels plays the role of John O’Neill, who is the chief of the I-49 and faces hostility from the CIA. The show perfectly highlights why Daniels is so good at such kind of roles. The actor embodies the intelligent and powerful figure of John, who is the voice of reason. Daniels delivers one of his best performances and gives a scene-stealing portrayal.

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6. Something Wild

Directed by Jonathan Demme, this comedy thriller features Melanie Griffith, Jeff Daniels, and others. The movie is about an uptight investment banker Charles (Daniels), who goes on an adventurous road trip with a care-free and mysterious woman Lulu/Audrey (Griffith). However, trouble ensues when Lulu/Audrey’s ex-convict husband Ray (Ray Liotta), also shows up. Again, the movie is one of the early works of Jeff Daniels and even though he plays a conventional yuppie, he infuses his character with a lot of charisma. Daniels gives off a stellar performance who starts off as a dull office worker and transitions into a wilder character as the movie progresses. His chemistry with Griffiths is brilliant and it is one of his best performances that fans must watch. The movie is thrilling, comedic, and involves an inventive premise. It is a must-watch for fans of the actor.

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7. The Squid and the Whale

Starring Jeff Daniels, Laura Linney, and others, this independent comedy and drama movie is directed by Noah Baumbach and he also writes the movie. Co-produced by Wes Anderson, the film is the semi-autobiographical story about two boys in Brooklyn, who must deal with their parents’ divorce in 1986. The film is shot on a 16 mm camera and uses a hand-held camera. The movie was a hit with the critics and is one of the most underrated yet brilliant movies by Jeff Daniels. The actor plays the role of Bernard Berkman, who is a struggling writer and is going through a complicated divorce from his wife. The actor embodies the depressive nature of his character, whose career is failing, even though his wife’s career is prospering. The movie is emotional and tense and the actor truly proves his immense acting range and talent. Fans of the actor must watch the movie for Daniels’ one-of-a-kind performance.

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8. Speed

Directed by Jan de Bont, this action thriller movie features Keanu Reeves, Jeff Daniels, Sandra Bullock, and others. One of the most successful critical and commercial hits of the 1990s, the movie not only catapulted Reeves and Bullock to fame, but also showcases Jeff Daniels’ ability to take on more action-focused roles. The movie is about a city bus being rigged with explosives that can detonate if the bus slows down below 50 miles an hour. In such a situation, LAPD officer Jack (Reeves), must prevent a disaster. While Daniels has a supporting role in the movie, the actor does a commendable job of portraying the character of Harry, who plays the loyal partner and friend of Jack. The character of Harry is brave and intelligent and as Jack gets trapped in the bus, Harry must race around the city and find the criminal responsible. Daniels gives a dedicated performance in this more action-focused role and proves that he can handle anything from comedy and drama to action and emotions.

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9. The Martian

Starring Matt Damon, Jeff Daniels, and others, this sci-fi movie is directed by Ridley Scott and focuses on an astronaut Mark (Damon), who is stuck on Mars after being left behind by his teammates. The movie looks at how Mark struggles to survive on the planet as help comes his way and the emotional and profound changes that he undergoes through his stay on the planet. Based on the 2011 novel of the same name by Andy Weir, the movie was a critical and commercial success and Jeff Daniels plays the role of Teddy Sanders, who is the director of NASA. The actor might have a supporting role, but he pulls off his character effortlessly. Daniels delivers powerful dialogue and fully embodies the role of Teddy. It is one of the must-watch movies for fans of the actor. The movie is also on its own extremely thrilling and tense.