Lee Daniels

Biography

Lee Daniels (born December 24, 1959) is an American film and television director, writer and producer.

Career Overview

Lee Daniels has 38 screen credits in a career dating back to 1984. Their work spans 2 cinematic universes — most prominently The Black List with 1 titles. Signature works include The Deliverance, The Butler, Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.

Personal Facts

Known For

Directing

Gender

male

Known Credits

38

Birth Date

1959-12-24 00:00:00

Birth Place

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Known For

• 

  The Deliverance
• 

  The Butler
• 

  Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire
• 

  The United States vs. Billie Holiday
• 

  The Paperboy
• Stealth

Associated Universes

Universe traveler — spans 2 universes

• The Black List (1 titles)
• Purple Rain Collection (1 titles)

Frequent Collaborators

• Nealla Gordon (4 collaborations)
• Andra Day (2 collaborations)
• Mo'Nique (2 collaborations)
• Miss Lawrence (2 collaborations)
• Kimberly Russell (2 collaborations)
• David Oyelowo (2 collaborations)
• John Cusack (2 collaborations)
• Mariah Carey (2 collaborations)
• Lenny Kravitz (2 collaborations)
• Adriane Lenox (2 collaborations)

Credits

• directing (8 credits)

  • Stealth

    director

    directing
    2026
  • Terms of Endearment

    director

    directing
    2026
  • The Deliverance

    director

    directing
    2024
  • The United States vs. Billie Holiday

    director

    directing
    2021
  • Empire

    - The Devils Are Here (2015) ... director directing
    2015
  • The Butler

    director

    directing
    2013
  • The Paperboy

    director

    directing
    2012
  • Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire

    director

    directing
    2009

• writing (3 credits)

  • Terms of Endearment

    screenplay

    writing
    2026
  • Empire

    - Past Is Prologue (2016) ... writer writing
    2015
  • The Paperboy

    screenplay

    writing
    2012

• actors (12 credits)

  • The Truth About Jussie Smollett?

    Self (archive footage)

    actor

    actors
    2025
  • Kenyatta: Do Not Wait Your Turn

    Self

    actor

    actors
    2023
  • Sherri

    - Jordan E. Cooper, Lee Daniels, Casey Wilson, Danielle Schneider, Mike E. Winfield (2022) ... Self - Guest actor actors
    2022
  • The United States vs. Billie Holiday Special: Lee Daniels and Cast Interviewed by Oprah Winfrey

    Self

    actor

    actors
    2021
  • Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall

    Self

    actor

    actors
    2016
  • Empire

    - Sinned Against (2015) ... Self actor actors
    2015
  • Close Up with The Hollywood Reporter

    - Drama Showrunners (2015) ... Self actor actors
    2015
  • Late Night with Seth Meyers

    - Amy Adams, Lee Daniels, girl in red (2021) ... Self actor actors
    2014
  • BoJack Horseman

    - The New Client (2019) ... Flea Daniels (voice) actor actors
    2014
  • The Paperboy

    Bartender

    actor

    actors
    2012
  • The Black List: Volume Three

    Self

    actor

    actors
    2010
  • A Little Off Mark

    Steve

    actor

    actors
    1986

• production (14 credits)

  • The Deliverance

    producer

    production
    2024
  • The Reading

    executive producer

    production
    2023
  • The United States vs. Billie Holiday

    producer

    production
    2021
  • Concrete Cowboy

    producer

    production
    2020
  • Pimp

    executive producer

    production
    2018
  • Empire

    executive producer

    production

    - Home Is on the Way (2020) ... executive producer production

    - Over Everything (2020) ... executive producer production

    - We Got Us (2020) ... executive producer production

    - Love Me Still (2020) ... executive producer production

    - I Am Who I Am (2020) ... executive producer production
    2015
  • The Butler

    producer

    production
    2013
  • The Paperboy

    producer

    production
    2012
  • Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire

    producer

    production
    2009
  • Tennessee

    producer

    production
    2008
  • The Woodsman

    producer

    production
    2004
  • Monster's Ball

    producer

    production
    2001
  • Billy Crystal: Don't Get Me Started

    casting

    production
    1986
  • Purple Rain

    casting assistant

    production
    1984

• creators (1 credits)

  • Empire

    creator

    creators
    2015