Daniel Durant
Durant in 2022
Born (1989-12-24) December 24, 1989 (age 34)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Alma materGallaudet University
OccupationActor
Years active2012–present
PartnerBritt Stewart (engaged)

Daniel N. Durant (born December 24, 1989) is an American stage and screen actor. His breakthrough starring role was as Moritz Stiefel in the 2015 Broadway revival of Spring Awakening. Durant had a major supporting role in the Academy Award-winning film CODA (2021). He and the cast won the Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at its world premiere at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, along with the award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture at the 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards.[1] On television, he is known for his recurring role in the ABC Family series Switched at Birth (2013–2017).[2][3]

Early life

Durant was born deaf in Detroit, Michigan to deaf parents who struggled with addiction; he was adopted as a toddler by his paternal aunt Lori Durant and later her wife Mary Engels. He grew up in Duluth, Minnesota.[4] He attended the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf in Faribault and graduated in 2008.[5] He studied at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in Rochester, New York, receiving an associate degree in applied computer technology in 2011.[6] He subsequently attended Gallaudet University, earning a degree in 2014.[7]

He joined the Deaf West Theatre in 2012 for its production of Cyrano de Bergerac.[8]

Career

On September 8, 2022, Durant was announced as a contestant on season 31 of Dancing with the Stars. He was partnered with Britt Stewart.[9] They reached the semifinals and finished in 5th place.[10] Durant performed the National Anthem in ASL at Super Bowl LVIII.[11]

Personal life

On February 14, 2023, Durant confirmed his relationship with his former Dancing with the Stars partner Britt Stewart.[12][13] They announced their engagement on December 29, 2023.[14]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2020 Silent Notes Bruce
2021 CODA Leo Rossi

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2012 The Archives at Gallaudet University Gallaudet Student TV Short
2013–2017 Switched at Birth Matthew 17 episodes
2019 You James Episode: "Farewell, My Bunny"
2022 Good Morning America Himself Guest[15]
2022 Dancing with the Stars Himself Contestant (Season 31)[16]
2023 Florida Man Max [17]
2023 Chicago Med Aiden Rogers Episode: "Look Closely and You Might Hear the Truth"

Theater

Year Title Role Venue Production company Notes
2012 Cyrano Ensemble The Fountain Theater Deaf West Theatre Los Angeles production
2012 Police: Deaf: Near: Far Stinger Oakland University TerpTheatre Michigan production[18]
2013 Flowers for Algernon Charlie Wild Fire Theatre Deaf West Theatre Los Angeles production[19]
2014 Spring Awakening Moritz Steifel Rosenthal Theater Los Angeles production
2015 Wallis Annenberg Center
2015–16 Brooks Atkinson Theatre Broadway revival
2017 Jonas and the Body Jonas Teater Manu Teater Manu Norway production
2019 The Black Drum Bulldog Young Centre for the Performing Arts Deaf Culture Centre Toronto production[20]
Clin d’Oeil Festival France production

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result
2015 Ovation Awards Best Acting Ensemble for a Musical Spring Awakening Won
BroadwayWorld LA Awards Best Featured Actor in a Musical Won
2016 Theatre World Awards Outstanding Broadway Debut Performance Won
Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards Favorite Onstage Pair (with Alex Boniello) Nominated
Fred and Adele Astaire Awards Outstanding Ensemble in a Broadway Show Nominated
2021 Sundance Film Festival U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast CODA Won
2022 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Won

References

  1. ^ Catsoulis, Jeannette (August 12, 2021). "'CODA' Review: A Voice of Her Own". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  2. ^ "Daniel Durant". IMDb. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  3. ^ "Daniel Durant Theatre Credits". www.broadwayworld.com. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  4. ^ Lawler, Christa (February 28, 2022). "'CODA' actor Daniel Durant gets his Hollywood moment — in Minnesota". Star Tribune. Retrieved March 27, 2022.[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ Lawler, Christa (August 14, 2021). "Duluth actor, who earned his chops in deaf theater, makes his mark in new movie". Twin Cities. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  6. ^ "NTID alumnus stars in Oscar-nominated film 'CODA'". RIT. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  7. ^ ""Spring Awakening" cast visits Gallaudet before performing at White House". Gallaudet University. December 3, 2015. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  8. ^ Lundstrom, Jim (August 19, 2021). "Daniel Durant hopes Duluth enjoys CODA". Duluth Reader. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  9. ^ "Dancing with the Stars: Teresa Giudice, Wayne Brady, Selma Blair and More Celebs Join Season 31". People. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
  10. ^ Longeretta, Emily (November 15, 2022). "'Dancing With the Stars' Season 31 Finalists Revealed After an Emotional Double Elimination".
  11. ^ "NAD - Deaf Performers at Super Bowl LVIII". www.nad.org. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  12. ^ "DWTS Partners Are Dating, Go IG Official: 'My Valentine'". heavy.com. February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  13. ^ Siwak, Miranda (March 24, 2023). "'DWTS' Pro Britt Stewart and Daniel Durant's Relationship Timeline: From Dancing to Dating". Us Weekly.
  14. ^ "'DWTS' Pro Britt Stewart and 'CODA' Star Daniel Durant Are Engaged (Exclusive)". Peoplemag. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  15. ^ Hayley FitzPatrick, Carson Blackwelder & (September 8, 2022). "'Dancing with the Stars' 2022: Meet the season 31 celebrity cast". www.goodmorningamerica.com. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
  16. ^ Jillian Sederholm, Maureen Lee Lenker and (September 8, 2022). "Dancing With the Stars reveals its cast of celebrities for season 31". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
  17. ^ Grobar, Matt (April 25, 2022). "'CODA's Daniel Durant Signs With Buchwald". Deadline. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  18. ^ Laban, Katie. "BWW Reviews: Everyone Needs to Experience POLICE DEAF NEAR FAR Bringing Deaf Culture to Life On Stage". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  19. ^ "Lead actors lift 'Flowers for Algernon' by Deaf West". Los Angeles Times. October 3, 2013. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  20. ^ Fein-Goldbach, Debbie (June 26, 2019). "The Black Drum is a musical that resonates for both deaf and hearing audiences". NOW Magazine. Retrieved April 26, 2022.

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