Jeffrey Daniel Net Worth
Jeffrey Daniel is an American dancer, singer and choreographer best known as one of the founding members of R&B group Shalamar and as the innovator behind a backslide movement later popularized by Michael Jackson as moonwalk.
Today he resides in Lagos, London and Osaka Japan where he speaks and writes fluent Japanese. He continues to perform, choreograph and produce alongside big name artists such as Babyface, LL Cool J and Sheena Easton.
Early Life and Education
Jeffrey Glen Daniel was born August 24th 1955 in Los Angeles. He is an American dancer, choreographer and singer-songwriter best known for founding R&B band Shalamar as well as high-profile collaborations with artists like Michael Jackson, LL Cool J and Paul McCartney.
He starred in multiple popular movies including ‘The Hours’, ‘The Lookout’ and ‘101 Dalmatians’ as well as appearing in numerous television shows.
He is an international soul icon and continues to tour worldwide. During his time with Shalamar, they sold over 25 million albums worldwide; after they split up in 1983 he worked as Michael Jackson’s choreographer bringing in significant earnings throughout the ’80s and 90s.
Professional Career
Jeffrey Daniel is an internationally-acclaimed dancer, singer and choreographer best known as one of the founding members of R&B group Shalamar. Additionally, he has appeared in multiple TV and film roles over time.
He is widely recognized as the creator of the moonwalk dance move made popular by Michael Jackson. Don Campbell of “Locker” dance fame served as his source of inspiration while Tyrone Proctor taught him Waack dancing which eventually evolved into moonwalking.
He has amassed considerable wealth through his work as both dancer and singer with Shalamar, an immensely popular music band in Nigeria and United States. Royalties from albums released by Shalamar also contributed to this significant income source for him.
Achievement and Honors
Jeffrey Daniel is one of the founding members of R&B vocal group Shalamar, which sold over 25 million albums worldwide and amassed an enormous wealth thanks to royalties from their popular hits. Additionally, Jeffrey collaborated closely with Michael Jackson during their 20-year creative partnership, co-choreographing Bad and Smooth Criminal videos alongside Michael himself as co-choreographer/performer in these videos.
In 2012, Daniel’s career experienced a revival thanks to Aaron Sorkin’s HBO drama series The Newsroom as fictional news anchor Will McAvoy – for which he garnered critical acclaim and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award nomination. Additionally he appeared alongside Michelle Dockery, Merritt Wever and Sam Waterston in Netflix’s western miniseries Godless; most recently Daniel has also taken up dance teaching and coaching in Los Angeles where he has choreographed for high profile artists such as LL Cool J, Paul McCartney and Sheena Easton among many others.
Personal Life
Jeffrey Daniel was co-founder of soul-funk band Shalamar with Jody Watley, which produced many hit songs during its long run at London’s Wembley Arena. Jeffrey also has one daughter with his wife and runs an affordable video and audio company in Michigan. Additionally, he acted in Blackbird as well as Lanford Wilson’s Lemon Sky on Broadway (for which he received a Drama Desk nomination). Additionally he made appearances in Traitor and State of Play political thrillers.
He is an avid follower of sports, especially baseball. Additionally, he serves as a judge on Nigerian Idol series. Don Campbell inspired him as well as Cleveland Moses Jr and Tyrone Proctor from Soul Train who taught him Waacking style dance moves.
Net Worth
Since 2000 and the reunion of Shalamar band, Daniel has made steady money through performances and choreography collaborations for industry choreography projects. Additionally, Daniel lent his talent as judge on Nigerian Idol for three consecutive seasons as a judge.
He still receives royalties from the band’s many hits like A Night to Remember, Make That Move, and Second Time Around. Additionally, the celebrated dancer credits Locker Don Campbell with teaching him street dancing moves like the backslide which later came to be known as moonwalk.
At present, this renowned dancer lives between Lagos in Nigeria, London, and Osaka in Japan. Fluent in Japanese language and cantonese dialect as well.
