Lee Daniels biography, married, divorce • biography

Daniels followed this success with the 2013 historical drama The Butler, inspired by the life of White House butler Eugene Allen. The film featured a star-studded cast including Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, and John Cusack. A box office hit, it grossed over $176 million worldwide on a $30 million budget, further solidifying Daniels’ reputation as a filmmaker capable of combining socially charged narratives with commercial appeal.

Acclaimed Television Endeavors: Empire and Star

In 2015, Daniels created the Fox drama series Empire, which quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Starring Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, the show explored the inner workings of a fictional hip-hop music company and the complexities within its founding family. Empire garnered multiple Emmy nominations and maintained strong ratings throughout its run, being renewed for six seasons.

Building on this momentum, Daniels developed another Fox drama, Star, which premiered in December 2016. The series focused on three young women trying to break into the competitive music industry. Star was well-received, leading to renewals through its third season by March 2018.

Personal Life and Advocacy

Daniels is openly gay and has often spoken about his experiences as a Black gay man in America and in Hollywood. He was previously in a relationship with casting director Billy Hopkins. While the couple later separated, Daniels adopted his niece and nephew, Clara and Liam, and raised them as his own children. In 2016, he participated in a tribute organized by the Human Rights Campaign to honor victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting, further emphasizing his commitment to LGBTQ+ advocacy.