Daniel Henney

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Daniel Henney

Role / Field:

American actor and model known for roles in Korean dramas and US television series.

Born:

1979-11-28

Century / Era:

1979s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Daniel Philip Henney (born November 28, 1979) is an American actor and model. He first came into international prominence with his television debut as Dr. Henry Kim on the Korean drama My Lovely Sam Soon (2005). He has gone on to star in films such as Seducing Mr. Perfect (2006), My Father (2007), X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), Shanghai Calling (2012), The Last Stand (2013), One Night Surprise (2013), and Big Hero 6 (2014). On television, he has starred in the Korean Spring Waltz as well as American television series Hawaii Five-0 and Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders. He joined the regular cast of Criminal Minds for its 13th, 14th and 15th seasons.

Career & Major Achievements

He starred as Lan Mandragoran in the 2021 television adaptation of The Wheel of Time. Henney was born on November 28, 1979 in Carson City, Michigan. His mother Christine Henney, an American adoptee from Busan, South Korea, was a nurse. His father Philip Henney, an American of British descent, worked in a factory. He was a star basketball player at Carson City-Crystal High School and led the Eagles to the MHSAA Central region (CSAA) 2nd-place finish during his senior year in 1998.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Henney attended various colleges—including Albion College, Alma College, and Elgin Community College—but never completed his college studies due to his burgeoning modeling career. He was credited on many online portals for a time to have had graduated with an economics degree from the University of Illinois Chicago. However, that was proven to be false when an academic scandal in 2007 revealed that several South Korean social figures and celebrities, including Henney, Choi Soo-jong and Chang Mi-hee, had falsified academic records. Henney moved to South Korea after having lived on and off in Hong Kong and Taiwan for four years. While in New York in 2004, he did some Off-Broadway work while auditioning for television shows.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1979 (1979-11-28): Birth of Daniel Henney — American actor and model known for roles in Korean dramas and US television series.
2. 1998: 1998 Milestone — He was a star basketball player at Carson City-Crystal High School and led the Eagles to the MHSAA Central region (CSAA) 2nd-place finish during his senior year in 1998.
3. 2004: 2004 Milestone — While in New York in 2004, he did some Off-Broadway work while auditioning for television shows.
4. 2005: 2005 Milestone — Henry Kim on the Korean drama My Lovely Sam Soon (2005).
5. 2006: 2006 Milestone — Perfect (2006), My Father (2007), X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), Shanghai Calling (2012), The Last Stand (2013), One Night Surprise (2013), and Big Hero 6 (2014).
6. 2007: 2007 Milestone — However, that was proven to be false when an academic scandal in 2007 revealed that several South Korean social figures and celebrities, including Henney, Choi Soo-jong and Chang Mi-hee, had falsified academic records.
7. 2021: 2021 Milestone — He starred as Lan Mandragoran in the 2021 television adaptation of The Wheel of Time.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Daniel Henney

True or False: “Daniel Henney graduated with an economics degree from the University of Illinois Chicago without any academic scandal.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): He was falsely credited with this degree; an academic scandal in 2007 revealed that several South Korean figures, including him, had falsified academic records.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. P. Elkin — Contemporary (Died in 1979) (1979): Influential Australian anthropologist and Anglican clergyman (1891–1979)
• A. Philip Randolph — Contemporary (Died in 1979) (1979): Pioneer labor unionist and civil rights activist who fought for racial equality.
• Aaliyah — Contemporary (Born in 1979) (1979): Pioneering R&B artist known for redefining urban pop and hip hop sounds.
• ʻAbdu'l-Bahá — Shared historical date (11-28 · Died) (1921): Successor to Baháʼu'lláh and guiding light of the Baháʼí Faith.
• Abdul Halim of Kedah — Shared historical date (11-28 · Born) (1927): Sultan of Kedah and Yang di-Pertuan Agong, a pivotal Malaysian royal figure.
• Aaron Paul — Historical peer (Born in 1979) (1979): American actor, renowned for portraying Jesse Pinkman in Breaking Bad.
• Abdul-Malik al-Houthi — Historical peer (Born in 1979) (1979): Yemeni religious leader and second principal figure of the Houthi movement (Ansar Allah).
• Ahmed Zaki (actor) — Historical peer (Died in 2005) (2005): Iconic Egyptian actor celebrated for intense dramatic performances and masterful impersonation.
• Akira Yoshizawa — Historical peer (Died in 2005) (2005): Japanese origamist, credited with elevating origami from a mere craft to a recognized living art.
• Aaron Spelling — Historical peer (Died in 2006) (2006): Pioneering American producer of hit TV series like Dynasty and Beverly Hills, 90210.
• 1979 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1979
• November 28 (11-28) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on November 28

Frequently Asked Questions about Daniel Henney