Jeff Daniels' Journey from Almost Quitting Hollywood to Triumph in 'A Man in Full'

After nearly walking away from acting, Jeff Daniels credits Jim Carrey for helping him persevere. Now, he's starring in Netflix's "A Man in Full," proving that his passion for creativity keeps him going.

Over a decade ago, Jeff Daniels contemplated abandoning his acting career. But a crucial conversation with his close friend and comedic partner, Jim Carrey, changed his perspective. As they wrapped up filming "Dumb and Dumber To," Daniels expressed his disillusionment to Carrey.

"I'm done," he told Carrey.

Carrey's response was both defiant and encouraging: "You can’t, you’re creative, you’re going to create something, you’ve got to keep creating. That’s what we do!"

Daniels took Carrey's advice to heart, continuing to pursue acting roles in films like "Allegiant" and "The Martian." Today, he's receiving widespread acclaim for his portrayal of real estate mogul Charlie Croker in the Netflix series "A Man in Full."

Reflecting on his journey, Daniels acknowledges that he no longer feels the pressure to prove himself. "I've got this catalog of performances behind me," he says. "I think, ‘Well, who wants me next?’ But if nobody does, well that’s okay, too."

A significant turning point came for Daniels during his Broadway run as Atticus Finch in "To Kill a Mockingbird" from 2018 to 2019. He describes it as a pinnacle moment in his career.

"That quest to be the biggest star in the history of stars… That's gone, and that kind of ended for me at the end of the one-year run of 'To Kill A Mockingbird.' After Atticus Finch, I can't top that experience."

Two years later, he experienced another milestone moment before joining the cast of "American Rust." His agent asked him the simple but profound question: "‘What do you want to do?’"

"It had taken 44 years for me to hear that, but that’s when I knew I’d made it," Daniels confesses.

Despite his success in Hollywood, Daniels maintains that music is his true passion and source of sustenance. "It keeps me alive," he says. "It’s what I’m supposed to do. It’s helped me between the phone calls for the acting jobs."

In fact, Daniels has written around 450 original songs, many of which he prefers to keep private. He often performs at the Purple Rose Theatre Company, a theater he founded in his hometown of Chelsea, Michigan.

Daniels credits his family's stability with keeping him grounded amidst the volatility of fame. He moved back to Michigan with his family in 1986 after finding success with films like "Terms of Endearment" and "The Purple Rose of Cairo."

"Kathleen’s permanent," he says of his wife. "The family’s permanent. Careers are job to job, you’re hot, you’re not."

Daniels' early experience with fame after "Terms of Endearment" taught him its fleeting nature. When he was not nominated for an Oscar despite the film's widespread recognition, he realized that he needed to detach himself from external validation.

Despite his lack of Oscar nominations, Daniels has continued to deliver acclaimed performances throughout his career. His turn in "A Man in Full" demonstrates that his passion for creativity and his ability to connect with audiences are as strong as ever.