Daniel Kwan is an American film director, screenwriter, and animator. He is best known for his work with Daniel Scheinert, with whom he forms the directing duo Daniels. Their films are known for their absurdist humour, visual style, and emotional depth.
| Name: | Daniel Kwan |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Date of Birth | February 10, 1988 |
| Age | 35 |
| Birth Place | Westborough, Massachusetts, US |
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | 5ft 6in |
| Weight: | 68kg |
| Profession: | Film Director |
| Nationality | American |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Net Worth | $10 Million |
| Debut Film | Swiss Army Man |
| Nick Name | Kwan |
| Profession Build | American Filmmaker |
Kwan was born in Westborough, Massachusetts, to a Taiwanese mother and a father from Hong Kong. He attended Emerson College, where he met Scheinert. After graduating, they moved to Los Angeles to pursue their careers in filmmaking.
Daniels’ first film was the 2012 short film “Potato Salad.” The film was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to launch the duo’s careers. In 2013, they directed the music video for DJ Snake and Lil Jon’s song “Turn Down for What.” The video was a viral sensation, and it earned Daniels a Grammy Award nomination for Best Music Video.
Daniels’ first feature film was Swiss Army Man (2016). The film starred Paul Dano as a man who befriends a farting corpse. The film was a critical and commercial success, and it was praised for its originality and humour.
Daniels’ most recent film is Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022). The film stars Michelle Yeoh as an exhausted Chinese immigrant who discovers that she is connected to the multiverse. The film was a critical and commercial success, and it was praised for its ambitious scope, visual style, and emotional depth.
Daniels is a rising star in the film industry. His films are known for their unique blend of humour, heart, and visual flair. He is a talented filmmaker who is sure to continue to make great films in the years to come.
Educational Qualification of Daniel Kwan
| EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION | SCHOOL | COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY |
| High School | Algonquin Regional High School | Not known |
| Undergraduate | Not known | Not known |
| Graduate | Not known | Emerson College |
Family and Relatives of Daniel Kwan
| Mother | Yang Chun |
| Father | Ho Yuen |
| Siblings | Not Known |
Daniel Kwan’s Marital Status, Wife and Children
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife | Kirsten Lepore |
| Children | Gio Lepore Kwan |
Early Life and Education of Daniel Kwan
Daniel Kwan was born in 1988 in Westborough, Massachusetts. He grew up in an Asian-American household, with his parents having immigrated to the United States from Hong Kong. Not much is known about Kwan’s early childhood, but he developed an early interest in filmmaking from a young age.
Kwan attended Algonquin Regional High School in Northborough, Massachusetts. There he began experimenting with short films and took film classes that helped foster his creative talents. He also studied creative writing and worked on the school newspaper. During his high school years, Kwan directed and edited short films in his spare time.
After graduating high school in 2006, Kwan went on to study film at Emerson College in Boston. At Emerson, he met his future collaborator Daniel Scheinert while taking classes together. The two bonded over their shared passion for experimental and surreal cinema. Kwan immersed himself in studying film theory, production and directing. He directed several short films and documentaries as part of his college coursework.
In 2010, Kwan graduated from Emerson College with a Bachelor’s degree in Film. His senior thesis film was a short comedy titled “The Death and Return of Superman”. After graduation, Kwan moved to Los Angeles to pursue filmmaking full-time. He took on various production assistant jobs to support himself as he sought opportunities to direct.
His collaboration with Scheinert also continued to grow, leading to their first music video projects together.
Kwan’s time in college provided him with vital training in visual storytelling, film history and the technical aspects of production. The experimental styles he was exposed to at Emerson helped shape his own unique directorial voice. His education served as a strong foundation for Kwan as he embarked on his professional career in film.
Also Read: Daniel Scheinert Biography
Personal Life of Daniel Kwan
Outside of his filmmaking career, not much is publicly known about Daniel Kwan’s personal life. He tends to keep this aspect private and focuses interviews on his creative work. It is known that Kwan currently lives in Los Angeles with his family.
In 2013, Kwan married his wife Kristen Lepore in a private ceremony. Lepore works as a filmmaker and producer. She has collaborated with Kwan on projects like the music video for “Simple Math” and provided production services for Everything Everywhere All at Once. In 2015, Kwan and Lepore welcomed their first child, a son.
While dedicated to his craft, Kwan strives to maintain a work-life balance and spends quality time with his family. He has expressed the importance of having a supportive partner who understands the demands of his career. During periods of intense filming, Kwan’s wife and son would often visit him on set for meals.
Outside of filmmaking, Kwan enjoys cooking, gardening and learning about sustainable agriculture. He grows much of the family’s produce in their home garden. Kwan also cares deeply about animal welfare and the environment. These personal passions have influenced themes in his films like the importance of human connection in Swiss Army Man.
In his spare time, Kwan likes to read books on diverse topics and keep up with current events. He remains a devoted student, constantly studying techniques from other directors and absorbing new influences. Since the success of Everything Everywhere All at Once, Kwan has gained more recognition but remains based in Los Angeles with his immediate family.
The Career of Daniel Kwan
Daniel Kwan began his career in filmmaking by directing short films and music videos while studying at Emerson College. In 2011, he teamed up with fellow director Daniel Scheinert to direct their first professional project – the music video for “Simple Math” by Manchester Orchestra.
This led to more music video work with indie artists. Kwan and Scheinert formed the directing duo “Daniels” and their surreal, imaginative style started gaining notice. In 2016, they wrote and directed their first feature film – the offbeat comedy Swiss Army Man, starring Daniel Radcliffe and Paul Dano.
The film was a breakthrough, premiering at the Sundance Film Festival to widespread acclaim. Its unconventional premise and blend of humour, heart and visual inventiveness announced Kwan and Scheinert as exciting new voices in independent cinema. Swiss Army Man gained a cult following and demonstrated their talents.
Building on this success, Daniels spent the next few years developing their next project. In 2022, they wrote and directed Everything Everywhere All at Once for A24 – a sci-fi action film starring Michelle Yeoh. Made on a $25 million budget, it grossed over $100 million worldwide and became one of the highest-grossing independent films of the year.
Everything Everywhere All at Once was critically acclaimed as Daniels’ magnum opus, praising its dazzling visuals, emotional storytelling and Yeoh’s tour-de-force performance. Kwan and Scheinert won multiple awards for their work.
In addition to features, Kwan has also directed television episodes for shows like NTSF:SD:SUV, Legion and Omniboat. He frequently collaborates with Scheinert under their Daniels banner, developing new projects that push creative boundaries.
Kwan continues to seek out daring material that utilizes his flair for surrealism, genre-blending and visual experimentation. As co-writer and co-director, he has established himself as one-half of one of the most original filmmaking duos working today. Fans eagerly await Daniels’ next bold cinematic adventure.
Daniel Kwan’s Awards and Nominations
Awards for Swiss Army Man (2016):
- Sundance Film Festival: Special Jury Award for Originality
- San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Original Screenplay (shared with Daniel Scheinert)
Awards for Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022):
- Gotham Awards: Breakthrough Director (shared with Daniel Scheinert)
- Independent Spirit Awards: Best Director, Best Screenplay (both shared with Scheinert)
- San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Director (shared with Scheinert)
Nominations for Everything Everywhere All at Once:
- Critics Choice Awards: Best Sci-Fi/Horror Movie
- Golden Globe Awards: Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
- Writers Guild of America Awards: Best Original Screenplay
- Directors Guild of America Awards: Outstanding Directing – Feature Film (shared with Scheinert)
Other Nominations:
- Independent Spirit Awards: Someone to Watch Award (shared with Scheinert, for Swiss Army Man)
- Sundance Institute: Sundance Institute/Amazon Studios Producers Award
Kwan has consistently received critical acclaim for his unique directorial style and creative visions realized with Daniel Scheinert. Their films have won several top awards from film festivals and critics groups. Everything Everywhere All at Once in particular earned Kwan widespread recognition through its nominations.
Also Read: David Rose Biography
Net Worth Of Daniel Kwan
As a successful independent film director and co-writer/co-director of acclaimed films like Swiss Army Man and Everything Everywhere All at Once, Daniel Kwan has amassed an estimated net worth of $10 million.
While the salaries of independent filmmakers can vary greatly, Kwan likely earns high six or low seven figures per film as co-director/co-writer through his deals with production companies like A24. His films have also seen strong commercial returns given their relatively low budgets, earning him additional backend points.
Everything Everywhere All at Once in particular was made on a $25 million budget but grossed over $100 million worldwide, providing a lucrative payday for Kwan through his producer credits. As only half of the directing duo “Daniels”, his earnings are shared with partner Daniel Scheinert.
In addition to film salaries, Kwan also earns income from television directing work and residuals from Swiss Army Man and Everything Everywhere All at Once through ongoing streaming, DVD/Blu-ray sales, and licensing deals.
As one of the most in-demand indie filmmakers working today, Kwan is able to command higher fees for his services and negotiate favourable deals that include profit participation points. His rising profile and critical acclaim only further increase his net worth potential on future projects.
So in summary, through his successful film career to date and continued growth as a director, Daniel Kwan has amassed an estimated current net worth of around $10 million.
Frequently Asked Questions about Daniel Kwan
Q1-What is Daniel Kwan’s date of birth?
Q2-What college did Daniel Kwan attend?
A2-Daniel Kwan studied film at Emerson College in Boston, graduating in 2010 with a Bachelor’s degree.
