Daniel Mays
Biography
Daniel Alan Mays (born 31 March 1978) is an English actor.
Born the third of four boys, Mays was brought up in Buckhurst Hill, Essex, by his electrician father and bank cashier mother. He attended the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts before going on to win a place at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
After graduating from RADA in 2000, Mays soon started appearing in a number of supporting roles ranging from a bit part in the BBC soap opera EastEnders in 2000 to playing a pilot in Jerry Bruckheimer's big-budget Pearl Harbor (2001). He was cast in the Mike Leigh film All or Nothing (2002) as Jason, a thug who abused his girlfriend, and also appeared in Leigh's next project, Vera Drake (2004), in which he played Sid, the protagonist's son. His performances for Leigh resulted in further offers of work.
One of Mays's most notable early roles was in the improvised BBC drama Rehab. Directed by acclaimed film maker Antonia Bird, Rehab was a drama about life inside a drug rehabilitation facility. He starred as Adam, a young heroin addict released from prison and sent directly to rehab. For his performance Mays was awarded the Best Actor award at the Palmare-Reims Television Festival in 2003.
Mays has continued to work regularly, and has appeared in a variety of productions, which have included a part in Johnny Vaughan's sitcom, Top Buzzer (2004); the lead role of Carter Krantz in BBC Three's Funland (2005); as well as film appearances in Atonement (2007), White Girl (2008) and The Bank Job (2008).
Family
Trivia
He has performed five plays at the Royal Court Theatre in London including two in the theatre's 50th Anniversary year in parts that were specifically written for him.
He won the Best Actor prize at the Palmare Television Festival 2003 for his performance in the hard hitting improvised BBC film Rehab.
He has made two films with the acclaimed British director Mike Leigh. All or Nothing (2002) and the 1950s abortion drama, Vera Drake (2004), which received 3 Academy Award Nominations, the Golden Lion Award for Best Film, 3 Bafta Awards and 6 British Independent Film Awards including Best British Independent Film.
He has a son named Mylo Burton-Mays and a daughter Dixie Burton-Mays.
He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art graduating in 2000.
Son of Toni Mays.
Personal Quotes
[on Doctor Who (2005)] I wasn't really a fan when I was a kid, but when David Tennant took over and my son Milo started to get into it, I started to watch the show. Then Matt Smith came in, and I think the quality has got even better.
[on seeking career advice] I do, i did a movie called Vera Drake (2004) and in, er, I was starred with Imelda Staunton, wonderful actress, so errm whenever I can't decide on what role to take I always phone Imelda, she's like my second Mum, yeah, but lovely lady.
