Patch Q&A With Actor and Musician Jeff Daniels

Actor and musician Jeff Daniels will perform to sold-out crowds at the on March 19 at 8 p.m.

Daniels, whose recent films include State of Play and Away We Go, grew up in Chelsea and attended Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan universities. After living in California for a few years, he and his wife moved back to Chelsea to raise their three children.

Brighton Patch contributor Tina DeBord recently spoke to Daniels about Michigan, marriage, and his accomplishments.

Brighton Patch: You grew up in Southeastern Michigan. What's your favorite thing about the area?

Jeff Daniels: It’s home. Everything that might mean to someone. The familiarity of the people, my sports teams are here, the changing of the seasons, and knowing about all those places in Michigan outsiders don’t quite know about; the U.P., the great golf courses, and those endless shore lines.

Brighton Patch: Have you ever been to Brighton? If so, what did you think? If not, do you have any preconceptions?

Daniels: Growing up, I played some high school sports in Brighton. Other than that, I didn’t really have any reason to spend any time there. Looks nice from the highway.

Brighton Patch: You founded The Purple Rose Theatre, a non-profit theatre company in Chelsea, your hometown. What was your motivation?

Daniels: Professional theater is what I do. I thought this area could use one modeled after what I’d done at the Circle Repertory Company in New York City. New plays, with playwrights writing for specific actors who were members of a company, with directors all directing in a style that fed the writers, actors, and designers. Many artists speaking in the same voice.

Brighton Patch: What's your favorite film role thus far?

Daniels: I have many favorites, but The Purple Rose of Cairo was the one that meant the most. Working for Woody Allen, having two leading roles opposite Mia Farrow; not too shabby.

Brighton Patch: Your accomplishments include Golden Globe nominations and an honorary doctorate from the University of Michigan. In your opinion, what's your biggest achievement to date?

Daniels: Still being in the entertainment business. Not only is fame fleeting, but it can be over on Tuesday. I’m a big fan of longevity.

Brighton Patch: You've been married to your high school sweetheart since 1979. Any input on how to make a marriage last?

Daniels: Make sure she laughs at your jokes. The day she stops laughing, it’s time to get a lawyer.

Brighton Patch: Who do you look up to?

Daniels: Anyone who’s been in the business longer than I have.

Brighton Patch: You've been writing songs as a hobby for more than 30 years. That's a lot of songs. How do you choose which ones will go on an album?

Daniels: I don’t judge them as I’m writing them. Nor do I judge them when they’re done. Usually, they have to fight their way into the set list. For an album, I just collect those that are the most recent. If I’m playing with other musicians, like on Keep It Right Here, we may play them to see what the song inspires in them. If it jumps, if they get excited about the song, the arrangement, the sound, then it usually makes the cut.

Brighton Patch: What's the coolest thing you've learned lately?

Daniels: That most people who know how to do comedy are musical.

Brighton Patch: What's in store for the future?

Daniels: I have no idea. Every time the phone rings, my life veers in another unexpected direction.