James McDaniel is a renowned actor who has made a significant impact in the entertainment industry. For seven seasons, he portrayed the iconic character Lt. Arthur Fancy on the legendary television series NYPD Blue, which aired from 1993 to 1999.
In addition to his work on NYPD Blue, McDaniel has appeared in numerous films, including The Battle for Bunker Hill, War Eagle, Arkansas, Living Hell, and El Cortez. He has also received critical acclaim for his performances in Edge of America, which earned him an Emmy and a Peabody Award, and Public Television's Storytime, which garnered him an Emmy Award nomination.
As a stage actor, McDaniel has won the prestigious Obie Award and been nominated for a Drama Desk Award for his portrayal of Wendall in the New York stage production of Before It Hits Home. He has also received the Clarence Derwent Award for his performance in the Tony Award-winning Broadway play Six Degrees of Separation.
McDaniel's extensive filmography includes notable works such as John Sayles's Sunshine State, Spike Lee's Malcolm X, Strictly Business, El Cortez, Woody Allen's Alice, Rocket Gibraltar, Truth or Consequences, N.M., Crack in the Mirror, and Banzaï. On television, he has appeared on Hill Street Blues, Law & Order, Taken, Las Vegas, L.A. Law, and mini-series such as Common Ground, The Old Man and the Sea, and Internal Affairs.
Born and raised in Washington, D.C., McDaniel attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he majored in veterinary medicine. He currently resides in New York City with his wife Hannelore and their two sons.
