Daniel Baldwin
A character actor from Hollywood's most famous acting family who carved his own path through television dramas and independent film.
Born 1960 (age 66)·American actor·Birthday: October 5·Baby Boomers
Biography
Daniel Baldwin often found his career measured against those of his brothers, but he forged a distinct identity as a rugged, everyman presence on screen. His breakthrough came not in a blockbuster, but in the gritty, critically adored police drama 'Homicide: Life on the Street,' where his portrayal of Detective Beau Felton provided a grounded, blue-collar heart to the ensemble. Baldwin gravitated toward character-driven work, appearing in indie gems like Steve Buscemi's 'Trees Lounge' and taking on villainous roles in genre films such as John Carpenter's 'Vampires.' His life off-screen was often tumultuous, marked by public struggles, but his professional work consistently revealed a capable and compelling actor who excelled at portraying flawed, complex men.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Daniel was born in 1960, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Daniel Was Born
The biggest hits of 1960
#1 Movie
Swiss Family Robinson
Best Picture
The Apartment
#1 TV Show
Gunsmoke
Daniel's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1960Born
Kennedy-Nixon debates become first televised presidential debates
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $11,900Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Theme from A Summer Place" — Percy FaithBest Picture: The Apartment
1965Started school
US sends combat troops to Vietnam
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $13,600Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" — The Rolling StonesBest Picture: The Sound of Music
1973Became a teenager
US withdraws from Vietnam; Roe v. Wade decided
Gas: $0.39/galHome: $22,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" — Tony Orlando & DawnBest Picture: The Sting
1976Could drive
Apple Computer founded; US bicentennial
Gas: $0.59/galHome: $29,300Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Silly Love Songs" — WingsBest Picture: Rocky
1978Could vote
First test-tube baby born
Gas: $0.63/galHome: $35,300Min wage: $2.65/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Shadow Dancing" — Andy GibbBest Picture: The Deer Hunter
1981Turned 21
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1990Turned 30
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
2000Turned 40
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2010Turned 50
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2020Turned 60
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 66 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played a central role as Detective Beau Felton on the groundbreaking NBC police drama 'Homicide: Life on the Street' for its first four seasons.
- Starred opposite Mickey Rourke in the cult biker film 'Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man' (1991).
- Delivered a notable performance as a menacing federal agent in John Carpenter's horror-western 'Vampires' (1998).
- Appeared in the HBO biographical film 'Grey Gardens' (2009), playing the husband of Drew Barrymore's 'Little Edie.'
Did You Know?
He is the second oldest of the four famous Baldwin brothers (Alec, Daniel, William, Stephen).
He worked as a police officer in New York City before pursuing acting full-time.
He directed and starred in the 2004 film 'Paparazzi,' which explored the dangers of celebrity culture.
Baldwin is an advocate for addiction recovery and has spoken openly about his past struggles.
“I've always been more interested in the work than the spotlight.”
