Who is Dan Lauria?
Daniel Joseph ‘Dan’ Lauria was born in Brooklyn, New York City USA, on 12 April 1947 – his zodiac sign’s Aries, and he holds American nationality. He’s an actor, movie script writer and director, with over 200 acting credits to his name, probably still known best for his portrayal of Dolan in the 2008 action fantasy movie “The Spirit”, written and directed by Frank Miller, and which starred Gabriel Macht, Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L. Jackson. It follows rookie police officer Denny Colt who’s become The Spirit, a hero fighting crime in Central City; the movie was nominated for four awards.
Although some of Dan’s fans believe that the popular actor’s recently retired, it’s known that he’s still highly active in the film industry, and has recently finished shooting for the upcoming movie “Live to Work”, while he’s currently shooting for the films “Miranda’s Victim”, “Ghost in the House” and “Captain for Dark Mornings”.
Early life and education
Dan was raised in Brooklyn as an only child, by his father Joseph J. Lauria and mother Carmela (nee Luongo), both of whom were of Italian descent; the family also spent some time living in Lindenhurst, New York State.
Dan studied at Lindenhurst Senior High School, and was mostly interested in playing football during his four years there; he was on the school’s team, and upon matriculating in 1965, also spent a couple of months teaching physical education there.
Dan then joined the US Marine Corps and fought in the Vietnam War; upon his return, he enrolled at Southern Connecticut State University, after having been offered a football scholarship, and graduated in 1975.
Roles in TV series
Dan made his debut TV series appearance in a 1977 episode of the romantic drama “The Doctors”, and what marked the ‘80s for him was perhaps his portrayal of Detective Harry Dupnik in the popular mystery crime drama “Cagney & Lacey”, created by Barbara Corday and Barbara Avedon, and which starred Tyne Daly, Sharon Gless and Al Waxman. It follows the lives of two female police detectives, the series aired from 1981 to 1988 (Dan joined the cast in 1986), and it won 50 awards, including 14 Primetime Emmys, while it was nominated for 57 other awards.
Some of Dan’s most notable performances in the ’90s were in the family comedy “The Wonder Years”, in which he starred from 1988 to 1993 and which won 29 of the 99 awards for which it was nominated; the 1995 drama “Amazing Grace”, and the 1997 family drama “Party of Five”.
He had no lead roles in TV series in the 2000s, but portrayed the supporting character Richard Vessey in the popular comedy drama “Ed”, created by Rob Burnett and Jon Beckerman, and which starred Tom Cavanagh, Julie Bowen and Josh Randall. It follows a former New York City lawyer who’s returned to his hometown in Ohio, and has bought a bowling alley; the series aired from 2002 to 2004 and won eight of the 34 awards for which it was nominated.
Between 2012 and 2014, Dan played Jack Sullivan, one of the lead characters in the comedy “Sullivan & Son”, created by Rob Long, and which also starred Steve Byrne and Brian Doyle-Murray. The series follows Steve Sullivan who’s stopped working as a corporate attorney, and has taken over his father’s bar in Pittsburgh.
Three of Dan’s most recent roles in TV series have been in the episode “Frank: Ghosts of Gallagher Past” of the comedy “Shameless Hall of Shame”, the episode “The Music and the Mirror” of the romantic comedy drama “This Is Us”, and the episode “The William Penn Years” of the critically acclaimed comedy “The Goldbergs”, all in 2021.
Roles in movies
The year 1981 saw Dan make his debut film appearance in the comedy “C. O. D.”, while some of his most notable performances in the ‘80s were perhaps in the 1983 mystery drama “Without a Trace”, the 1987 action crime comedy “Stakeout”, and the 1989 historical crime drama “Howard Beach: Making a Case for Murder”.
Dan’s portrayal of Commanding Officer in the critically acclaimed 1996 action science fiction adventure “Independence Day” marked the ‘90s for him. It was written and directed by Roland Emmerich, starred Will Smith, Bill Pullman and Jeff Goldblum, and follows mankind as they’re trying to fight off the invading aliens; the movie won 36 awards, including an Oscar for Best Effects, Visual Effects, while it was nominated for 35 other awards.
Dan played Crawford in the 2006 crime comedy “Big Momma’s House”, Joe Camponella in the 2008 crime thriller “Finish Line”, and Chief Dawson in the 2009 horror science fiction comedy “Alien Trespass”.
His three most recent film roles have been in 2021 – in the biographical comedy drama “Potato Dreams of America”, the short thriller drama “The Retailer”, and the crime thriller drama “A Shot Through the Wall”.
Exclusive: 'Potato Dreams of America' trailer shows @weshurley's autobiographical dark comedy film that might be stranger than fiction. https://t.co/koV8k2as2Y
— Collider (@Collider) January 5, 2022
Other credits
Dan directed the 1990 episode “Night Out” of the family comedy series “The Wonder Years”, produced the 1996 crime comedy movie “Faithful”, and wrote the 1997 action crime thriller film “Dog Watch”.
He’s received special thanks for the critically acclaimed 1993 crime movie “A Bronx Tale”, the 2008 short romantic comedy film “A Timely Maneuver”, and the 2010 drama movie “Lifted”.
Dan could’ve been seen making a guest appearance in many talk-shows, most recently in “GMA 3: Strahan, Sara & Keke”, “The Hollywood Moment at Home Edition”, and “The Jason Hennessey Podcast”.
Awards and nominations
Dan won a 2001 Long Island International Film Expo Creative Achievement Award.
Wife and divorce
Dan married Eileen Cregg on 26 December 1991, in a small and private ceremony attended by less than 100 people; Eileen’s a non-celebrity American, who prefers to stay away from the media’s attention.
The two divorced in 2001, and while neither has spoken about what had led to their divorce, some of Dan’s fans believe that Eileen wanted to have children, and that Dan preferred not to, wanting to rather focus on his career; he hasn’t addressed these rumors.
Dan hasn’t mentioned any women whom he had been with prior to meeting Eileen, nor since their divorce, so as of September 2022, he’s single, was married to Eileen Cregg, and doesn’t have children.
Hobbies and interesting facts
While still working on his way up in the film industry, Dan earned money by being a football and wrestling coach at high school, as well as a substitute teacher.
He was born on the same day as Tom Clancy, the late American novelist who’s probably remembered best for his 1984 military thriller novel “The Hunt for Red October”.
Dan’s a huge fan of blues and jazz, with some of his favorite musicians being B. B. King, Eric Clapton and Robert Johnson.
He often plays golf with his friends.
He’s a philanthropist and has taken part in many charity events, while he mostly donates to organizations working with war veterans.
Dan’s favorite actor and actress are Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep, and his favorite movies “Gran Torino”, “The Bridges of Madison County” and “Dirty Harry”.
Age, height and net worth
Dan’s age’s 75. His hair’s brown and eyes are blue, his height’s 5ft 11ins (1.82m) and he weighs around 167lbs (76kgs).
His net worth’s been estimated at over $4 million as of September 2022.
