I accidentally stumbled across your website and saw what a HUGE fan you are. I was actually fortunate enought to spend this past weekend, November 8-9, 2003, with Daniel, his wife Lisa and their beautiful baby, Bella, at the Delta Film Festival in Manteca, California. Daniel was the sweetest man. He actually donated an enitre weekend to our little town's film festival and raised almost a thousand dollars for the boys and girls club by taking photos and signing autographs for fans.
I am fortunate enough to have been the official photographer for CVB which put on the festival. Basically, my job was to be Daniel's personal photographer for the weekend. I have 4 rolls of film being developed right now, all of Daniel. Daniel signing autographs, Daniel being himself when fans weren't around, at the awards gala holding his daughter, handing out awards, at another party we attended and so on. I also have family photos of the 3 of them that I took at the party last night. I have to email a few photos to Daniel for a Swiss magazine that will be featuring him next month but I will be sure to ask him for permission to send you a few since you're such a sweet fan.
I have to say...Daniel MUST be a terrific actor to play a bad guy because it is SO FAR from who he really is. He is truly a very sweet, thoughtful and down to earth man. He's an adorable father and cherishes his Bella. It's wonderful to see.
Thanks to Imaginary Girl, aka Susie, for this little ditty...
I went to the L.A. Times Festival of Health on October 16, 1999, just to see what kind of fun and new health and fitness things were being showcased. I didn't even know Daniel was going to be there! I was watching a yoga session at one of the little stages near the kiosks, when I notice a, um, very good looking guy playing with a microphone head set. I did a double take and thought, "What the hell", I'd seen Mortal Kombat and knew who he was. So I casually wandered over and said, "Hey, I enjoy your show. Great work." He smiled and said "Thanks", of course. When I walked away to buy a CD he must have seen the back of my Tae Kwon Do t-shirt because when I walked toward him again he tried to get my attention. So I went over to him and he said that he noticed that I take Tae Kwon Do, and since he was about to give a demonstration and bring little kids up to the stage, would I like to help him? Like I was gonna say NO?!? So we chatted a bit before the demonstration and then I took a seat as he introduced himself to the small crowd that had gathered. He invited some of the kids up and then had me come on stage to help him. I stood behind the kids while Daniel did some basic TKD bows and stances, then we both helped the kids do some basic kicks and blocks. When we were through he thanked me sweetly and I joined the kids off the stage and listened to him speak for a while longer. He then opened the floor to Q&A and the kids asked all kinds of questions about his workout, martial arts skills, filming and stuff. Then I asked about the difference between real sparring verus filming fight scenes. He then had me come back on stage and throw some fake movie punches at him! Too fun!! When he was through with the demonstaration I went over to say goodbye and he thanked me again for my help. He is a real doll in person, and an absolute honey!
Thanks Susie for that great story!!
(Editor's note: Susie went on to tell me that if she had known I was a fan she would have gotten me an autographed pic. *&#@)$**@&#X-=!+(#}@%&!%!!!!)