
Daniel Kwan (born February 10, 1988) is an American filmmaker, best known for his work with Daniel Scheinert as the directing duo known as “Daniels”. Together, they have directed music videos, television shows, and feature films.
Kwan was born in Westborough, Massachusetts, to a Taiwanese mother and a father from Hong Kong. He graduated from Emerson College in 2010 with a degree in film production.
Kwan and Scheinert began their career directing music videos in the early 2010s. Their work quickly gained attention for its unique and offbeat style. They have directed videos for artists such as Foster the People, DJ Snake and Lil Jon, and Passion Pit.
In 2016, Kwan and Scheinert made their feature film debut with the absurdist comedy-drama Swiss Army Man. The film starred Daniel Radcliffe as a man stranded on a deserted island who befriends a farting corpse played by Paul Dano. Swiss Army Man was a critical and commercial success, and it established Kwan and Scheinert as one of the most exciting new voices in independent cinema.
In 2022, Kwan and Scheinert released their second feature film, Everything Everywhere All at Once. The film was a critical and commercial smash, grossing over $100 million at the box office. It was also nominated for 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay.
Kwan and Scheinert are known for their inventive and genre-bending filmmaking. Their work is often characterized by its dark humor, its exploration of existential themes, and its use of visual effects. They are both vocal advocates for diversity and inclusion in the film industry.
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Daniel Kwan Net Worth
Daniel Kwan’s net worth is estimated to be around $5 million. He has amassed his wealth through his successful career as a filmmaker. Kwan has directed music videos, television shows, and feature films. His most successful films include Swiss Army Man (2016) and Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022).
In addition to his directing work, Kwan has also written and produced several films. He is a co-founder of the production company A24 Films.
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Parents
Daniel Kwan’s parents are Ho Yeun Kwan and Yang Chun Kwan.
- His father, Ho Yeun Kwan, is a retired engineer.
- His mother, Yang Chun Kwan, is a retired accountant.
Kwan was born in Westborough, Massachusetts, to Chinese parents who had emigrated from Hong Kong. He grew up in the Boston area and attended the University of Chicago, where he studied film and philosophy.
Kwan is close to his parents and often talks about them in interviews. He has said that they are his biggest fans and that they are always supportive of his work.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Kwan said that his parents were “really excited” about Everything Everywhere All at Once. He said, “They saw it in the theater and they were laughing and crying and cheering. It was really great to see them so happy.”
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Ethnicity
Daniel Kwan is of Taiwanese and Hong Kong descent. His mother is Taiwanese and his father is from Hong Kong.
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Wife
Daniel Kwan is married to fellow filmmaker and animator Kirsten Lepore. The two met while studying at Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts.
They began dating in 2009 and were married in 2016. Lepore has worked on a number of projects with Kwan, including the music videos for “Turn Down for What” by DJ Snake and Lil Jon and “Sweater Weather” by The Neighbourhood. She has also directed her own short films, such as “The Girl Who Cried Flowers” and “I Am a Tree”.
In addition to their professional collaboration, Kwan and Lepore are also close personal partners. They have spoken about the importance of their relationship in their lives and work. In a 2017 interview, Kwan said, “Kirsten is my best friend and my creative soulmate. We push each other to be better artists and better people.”
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Son
Daniel Kwan and his wife Kirsten Lepore have one son, who was born in 2017. Kwan has spoken about the importance of fatherhood in his life. In a 2020 interview, he said, “Becoming a father has changed me in ways I never could have imagined. It has given me a new perspective on the world and forced me to think about the future in a way I never did before.”
Kwan has also said that his son is a great source of inspiration for his work. “My son teaches me something new about the world every day,” he said. “He shows me things from a different perspective and he inspires me to come up with new and creative things.”
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Awards & Nominations
Daniel Kwan has been nominated for a number of awards for his work as a filmmaker and actor. Here are some of his most notable awards and nominations:
- Academy Awards
- Best Original Screenplay (nominated) – Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
- Golden Globe Awards
- Best Screenplay – Motion Picture (nominated) – Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
- Critics’ Choice Awards
- Best Original Screenplay (nominated) – Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
- Best Director (nominated) – Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
- Independent Spirit Awards
- Best Feature (nominated) – Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
- Best Director (nominated) – Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
- Best Screenplay (won) – Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
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FAQs
How many Oscars do the Daniels have?
The Daniels, consisting of Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, have 1 Oscar win for Best Original Screenplay for their film Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022).