James McDaniel Jr. (born March 25, 1958) is an American stage, film and television actor. He is best known for playing Lt. Arthur Fancy on the television show NYPD Blue. He played the role of Paul in the hit Lincoln Center play Six Degrees of Separation. He played a police officer in the ill-fated 1990 series Cop Rock, and a close advisor to the director Spike Lee regarding the activist Malcolm X in the 1992 film Malcolm X. He also played Sgt. Jesse Longford in the ABC television series Detroit 1-8-7.
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Early life
James McDaniel Jr. was born in Washington, D.C., on March 25, 1958, the son of physician James McDaniel Sr. The junior McDaniel attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied veterinary medicine. After taking his final exams, he decided to move to New York and become an actor, despite having no prior acting experience. McDaniel enrolled in dance and voice lessons, and earned his first role in a Pepsi commercial.
Career
McDaniel began acting on the stage. He appeared in the original production of Six Degrees of Separation as Paul Poitier, and received the Clarence Derwent Award for his performance. McDaniel originated the role of Adam in Someone Who'll Watch Over Me, being the only American in the cast. He received an Obie Award after performing in Before It Hits Home.
