Daniel Stern was born in Bethesda, Maryland, to a father who worked as a social worker and a mother who managed a day care center. He began his acting career at the tender age of seventeen, and his journey in the world of entertainment was marked by a series of fortunate events.
After graduating from high school, Stern auditioned for the Washington Shakespeare Festival, hoping to land a job as a lighting engineer. However, he ended up being cast as a strolling player with a lute in their production of "As You Like It." This early experience laid the foundation for his future success, and he soon made his way to New York City to pursue his dreams.
In New York, Stern took a few acting lessons and quickly began to build an impressive portfolio of off-Broadway credits. He appeared in a range of productions, including "Split," "Frankie and Annie," "The Mandrake," and "The Old Glory." His talent and dedication did not go unnoticed, and he soon found himself cast in the highly acclaimed film "Breaking Away" (1979) alongside director Peter Yates.
Stern's versatility as an actor allowed him to take on a wide range of roles, and he appeared in a number of films during the early 1980s. These included Woody Allen's "Stardust Memories" (1980),Claudia Weill's "It's My Turn" (1980),and John Schlesinger's "Honky Tonk Freeway" (1981). He also returned to his off-Broadway roots, starring in the two-character play "How I Got That Story," which earned him critical acclaim and a starring role in Barry Levinson's "Diner" (1982).
Throughout his career, Stern has demonstrated a willingness to take on a variety of roles, and his film credits include "I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can" (1982),"Blue Thunder" (1983),"Hannah and Her Sisters" (1986),"The Boss' Wife" (1986),"The Milagro Beanfield War" (1988),"Born in East L.A." (1987),and "D.O.A." (1988).
In addition to his work on film and stage, Stern has also made a name for himself in the world of television. He directed several episodes of the popular and critically acclaimed comedy "The Wonder Years" (1988),and his voice-over work on the series has been widely praised.
