Daniel Benzali, a Brazilian-American stage, television, and film actor, was born on January 20, 1950. Prior to his television and film career, Benzali was a theatre actor, appearing in various productions.
Benzali's early television career included guest-starring roles in popular series such as Star Trek: The Next Generation, The X-Files, NYPD Blue, and L.A. Law. His impressive performance in L.A. Law caught the attention of creator Steven Bochco, who cast him in the lead role of his 1995 series Murder One, playing attorney Ted Hoffman. This role earned Benzali a Golden Globe nomination.
In addition to his television work, Benzali has appeared in several films, including By Dawn's Early Light (1990),Murder at 1600 (1997),and The Grey Zone (2001). He also starred in the CBS series Jericho, playing the enigmatic former Department of Homeland Security director Thomas Valente.
Benzali has also had a successful career in musical theatre. He portrayed Juan Peron in the London cast of Evita and played faded film director Max von Mayerling, alongside Patti LuPone, in the original cast (1993) of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard. Benzali had previously appeared on Broadway in Fiddler on the Roof, and other smaller productions.
In his personal life, Benzali was formerly engaged to actress Kim Cattrall. In December 2010, he joined the cast of ABC's General Hospital, playing a character named Theodore Hoffman, a reference to his role on the mid-1990s television series Murder One. Benzali's character is also known as "The Balkan", an international crime lord.
Benzali's extensive career has spanned over four decades, with a wide range of roles in television, film, and theatre. His impressive body of work has earned him a loyal fan base and critical acclaim.
