Joseph Daniel Irizarry, Jr., professionally known as Danny Irizarry, was born in Quito, Ecuador, before relocating to the United States at the age of four with his family, settling in Chicago and its western suburbs.
Irizarry's early life was marked by a passion for gymnastics, earning a state title, and later transitioning to the study of taekwondo. Growing up, he developed a fondness for movies, literature, and television shows from earlier generations, which led to cherished memories such as watching Flight of the Navigator with his mother, listening to his father read Lord of the Rings at bedtime, and staying up late to watch Family Ties with his sister.
Irizarry's introduction to theater training began at the Theatre of Western Springs, where he also honed his improv skills at Second City, Chicago. Two of his standout roles were as Puck in a Chicago theater's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream and as Buddy the Elf in the stage musical.
His first film role was in the student short, Moved by Love, directed by family friend and Biola student Elisa Logan, which led to a brief role in her next film, The Cure, and solidified his desire to pursue acting professionally. His first television role was as Colin Blake, the misunderstood swim-team student/murder victim in season 3 of Chicago P.D.
Irizarry's subsequent roles included lead parts in films from various Chicago-area film schools, as well as the feature Don't Run, and the pilots for The Florist and Gone. These experiences ultimately led him to decide to relocate to Los Angeles, where he met his best friend and creative partner Reid Miller.
In 2022, Irizarry fulfilled a lifelong dream by starring in Apple TV's Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie as a young Michael J. Fox himself, a role that brought him full circle to his childhood hero. His love for filmmaking has continued to grow, with his expanding skills to include not only acting but also directing, editing, and cinematography, for which he and his team have won numerous awards.
In terms of his heritage, Irizarry's paternal grandfather was Puerto Rican, while his maternal grandmother was Czech. His other grandparents can trace their roots in the United States back to the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower, with British, German, and Yugoslav branches on the family tree.
