Gabriel Daniels was born in Ottawa, Ontario, and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. Gabriel started acting in high school drama class, which led him to Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre. During that time, he was also auditioning for film and television. Gabriel landed his first role on a CBC film called Frost Fire. Shortly after that, he took a hiatus from acting, and it wasn’t until moving to Winnipeg years later that he got back into acting, where he landed a role in Eye of the Beast. Since then, some of Gabriel’s acting credits include roles in The Don Cherry Story, Goon, Cashing In, Road of Iniquity, Fractured, Stand, Burden of Truth, Hunter Hunter, Ann Rule: House on Fire, Ice Road, Alter Boys, Aberdeen and Acting Good.
In addition to acting, Gabriel Daniels is proud to have had the opportunity to take part in an important Indigenous rights Court Case. After the passing of his father, Harry Daniels, Gabriel stepped in as representative in R v Daniels, which took him to the Supreme Court of Canada and ultimately won the case, which recognized Metis rights within the Federal Government system.
Gabriel is currently a member of ACTRA and IATSE 856.
When and how did you start in the media production industry?
I began my career in the industry as an actor in high school in Edmonton in the early 90s. I started in theatre, and I honestly can’t remember how it transitioned into film and television. However, during those years, I began auditioning for film and television.
What area of the film industry do you work in now, and why?
I still work as an actor because I love it. I also work in the construction, grip and LX departments when I’m not doing the acting thing. All the departments are awesome, and I have lots of friends I get to work with.
What has been a substantial change in the industry since you started?
For me, there has been a huge change in the representation of the Indigenous people in the industry. When I started as a grip back in 2003, I remember only Beth-Ann being the only Indigenous person working in Winnipeg film for years.
If you could give yourself advice today to yourself in the past, what would it be?
I would say chill out, man, you don’t need to know everything; learning is a constant deal.
What advice would you give to someone starting in the media production industry?
Work hard, but don’t take yourself or titles too seriously, but do a good job, and remember, we are all on the same team. And most importantly, show up early.
Why is learning and training important?
Learning and training are everything in all things; no one shows up and is awesome right away.
What are some of the films, TV series or books that have inspired you? How about anything new you’re into?
When I was young, I saw Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope in theatres, which had a big impact on me. Also, when I was a little dude, the animated Ralph Bashki LOTR had a big impact because Aragorn looked Indigenous and back then, to see a character like that that looked like you was powerful, especially for little ones. Other films like The Godfather, On the Waterfront, and The Thing also inspire me.
Where do you see yourself ten years from now?
Working on big films in big roles and working on smaller films in big roles, and hopefully making them with my friends.
FTM is a member of the Province of Manitoba’s sector council program funded through the Department of Economic Development and Training. FTM builds a highly skilled and adaptable film industry workforce to support the activities of Manitoba production companies. FTM collaborates and partners with members of the film and television industry to identify training needs to support workforce development output.