---
name: "Dan Fogler"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/dan-fogler"
fi1m_id: "dan-fogler"
imdb_id: "nm0283945"
tmdb_id: 58873
wikidata_id: "Q374263"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "20 October 1976"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 6
average_fi1m_score: 59
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 6
updated: "2026-10-05T05:21:08.555695+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Dan Fogler

## Identity

Dan Fogler

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/dan-fogler
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** dan-fogler
- **IMDb ID:** nm0283945
- **TMDB ID:** 58873
- **Wikidata ID:** Q374263
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Fogler, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q374263, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0283945/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/58873

Actor. Born 20 October 1976 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 20 October 1976, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
- **Active:** 2008–present
- **Also known as:** 댄 포글러, دن فوگلر
- **Frequently works with:** [David Heyman](https://film.one/person/david-heyman.md), [David Yates](https://film.one/person/david-yates.md), [Eddie Redmayne](https://film.one/person/eddie-redmayne.md), [J.K. Rowling](https://film.one/person/j-k-rowling.md), [Alison Sudol](https://film.one/person/alison-sudol.md), [Katherine Waterston](https://film.one/person/katherine-waterston.md), [Lionel Wigram](https://film.one/person/lionel-wigram.md), [Seth Rogen](https://film.one/person/seth-rogen.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 59, as actor, over 6 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 2000s 77 (1), 2010s 52 (3), 2020s 59 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 59 to 61 across 6 titles
- **Score spread:** 0 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 3 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 5 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Adventure 4, Fantasy 3, Action 2, Comedy 2, Animation 1, Drama 1
- **Screen time:** 12 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $2,645m across 6 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Fogler, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q374263, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0283945/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/58873

## Streaming the US now

- **HBO Max:** [*Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them*](https://film.one/film/fantastic-beasts-and-where-to-find-them.md) (61), [*Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore*](https://film.one/film/fantastic-beasts-the-secrets-of-dumbledore.md) (50), [*Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald*](https://film.one/film/fantastic-beasts-the-crimes-of-grindelwald.md) (46)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Kung Fu Panda*](https://film.one/film/kung-fu-panda.md) (77)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Dan Fogler

> Dan Fogler plays the one person on screen who is not a wizard or a genius, and he plays him without asking to be one. In the wrong film it is the only thing worth watching.

Somewhere in the middle of *Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald* (2018), a film that keeps stopping to check its own family trees, a baker asks a woman not to leave. Dan Fogler plays it at kitchen volume, and for a minute the film is about two people rather than a franchise. It moved us, and it surprised us that it did, because nothing around the scene had earned it. Fogler had, on his own, by talking to Alison Sudol as though the cameras were in another building.

That is the job he has mostly been given. He started in theatre, originating William Barfée in *The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee* (off-Broadway in 2004, Broadway in 2005), and went into studio comedy as the lead in *Good Luck Chuck* (2007) and *Balls of Fury* (2007), neither of which was well liked and neither of which we have reviewed. He has cited Chaplin and Abbott and Costello, and you can see them in the way he uses his body: the double take, the stumble held a beat longer than it needs to be, the man walking into a room he plainly should not be in. He has also done voice work in animation.

The part that made him was Jacob Kowalski, the No-Maj baker of *Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them* (2016), played across three films for David Yates. Kowalski is the audience surrogate, the one who reacts to the creatures so that we do not have to, and Fogler's timing is what keeps the reaction from becoming a routine. He looks, he takes it in, and then he decides to be delighted. The warmth is real. The trouble is the films. By *The Crimes of Grindelwald* the plot cares more about its genealogies than its people, and Fogler and Sudol are left to carry what feeling there is, which they do, in a corner, while the story looks the other way.

Lately he has been trusted with real people. He played Francis Ford Coppola in *The Offer* (2022), which we have not reviewed, and Albert Grossman in James Mangold's *A Complete Unknown* (2024), where our review did not single him out. In a film built around the man at the microphone, that is close to a compliment. The supporting cast is there to be looked past, and he let himself be looked past.

Nobody has yet made the film that puts him at the centre and takes him seriously there. Until someone does, the advice is to watch the edges of the frame, and to stay for the kitchen.

## Biography

Dan Fogler is an American actor, comedian and writer. He made his Broadway debut in 2005 as William Barfée in *The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee*, winning the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical.

Fogler is known for his role as Jacob Kowalski in the *Fantastic Beasts* films (2016–2022) and for voice work in *Kung Fu Panda* (2008) and *Horton Hears a Who!* (2008). His television credits include appearances in *The Walking Dead* and *House of the Dragon*. He played Albert Grossman in *A Complete Unknown* (2024).

He trained at the School of Theatre at Boston University and graduated from Poly Prep Country Day School in 1994.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, nytimes.com, deadline.com.*

## On Fi1m (6)

- *A Complete Unknown* (2024), Fi1m 68, as Albert Grossman — [page](https://film.one/film/a-complete-unknown.md)
- *Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore* (2022), Fi1m 50, as Jacob Kowalski — [page](https://film.one/film/fantastic-beasts-the-secrets-of-dumbledore.md)
- *Jay and Silent Bob Reboot* (2019), Fi1m 50, as Con-Ployee — [page](https://film.one/film/jay-and-silent-bob-reboot.md)
- *Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald* (2018), Fi1m 46, as Jacob Kowalski — [page](https://film.one/film/fantastic-beasts-the-crimes-of-grindelwald.md)
- *Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them* (2016), Fi1m 61, as Jacob Kowalski — [page](https://film.one/film/fantastic-beasts-and-where-to-find-them.md)
- *Kung Fu Panda* (2008), Fi1m 77, as Zeng (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/kung-fu-panda.md)

## Complete filmography (61)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *The Rainmaker* (2025), series, as Melvin Pritcher
- *Juliet & Romeo* (2025), as The Apothecary
- *Bank of Dave 2: The Loan Ranger* (2025), as Detective Adams
- *A Complete Unknown* (2024), as Albert Grossman — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/a-complete-unknown.md)
- *No Time to Spy: A Loud House Movie* (2024), as Dr. Dufus (voice)
- *Prompt* (2024), as Frank Conolly
- *Eric* (2024), series, as Lennie
- *Spinning Gold* (2023), as Buck Reingold
- *House of the Dragon* (2022), series, as Torrhen Manderly
- *DC League of Super-Pets* (2022), as Carl / Pilot / Racer (voice)
- *The Offer* (2022), series, as Francis Ford Coppola
- *Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore* (2022), as Jacob Kowalski — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/film/fantastic-beasts-the-secrets-of-dumbledore.md)
- *Making the Day* (2021), as Tony Guest
- *The Argument* (2020), as Jack
- *Jay and Silent Bob Reboot* (2019), as Con-Ployee — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/film/jay-and-silent-bob-reboot.md)
- *Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald* (2018), as Jacob Kowalski — Fi1m 46, [page](https://film.one/film/fantastic-beasts-the-crimes-of-grindelwald.md)
- *30 Nights* (2018), as Dr. Lance Ying
- *In Like Flynn* (2018), as Joel Schwartz
- *Becks* (2018), as Dave
- *Sex Guaranteed* (2017), as Carl
- *Sharknado 5: Global Swarming* (2017), as Dan Fogler
- *Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them* (2016), as Jacob Kowalski — Fi1m 61, [page](https://film.one/film/fantastic-beasts-and-where-to-find-them.md)
- *Custody* (2016), as Keith Denholz
- *Barely Lethal* (2015), as Mr. Drumm
- *Ava's Possessions* (2015), as JJ Samson
- *Secrets and Lies* (2015), series, as Dave Lindsey
- *Don Peyote* (2014), as Warren Allman · Director, Screenplay, Executive Producer
- *My Depression (The Up and Down and Up of It)* (2014), Actor
- *Free Birds* (2013), as Governor William Bradford (voice)
- *Hellbenders* (2013), as Eric
- *The Goldbergs* (2013), series, as Marvin Goldberg
- *Scenic Route* (2013), as Carter
- *Europa Report* (2013), as Dr. Sokolov
- *Hannibal* (2013), series, as Franklin — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/hannibal-2013.md)
- *Dog Eat Dog* (2012), as Skeebo
- *Man Up!* (2011), series, as Kenny Hayden
- *Mars Needs Moms* (2011), as Gribble (voice)
- *Take Me Home Tonight* (2011), as Barry Nathan
- *Kung Fu Panda Holiday* (2010), as Zeng (voice)
- *The Walking Dead* (2010), series, as Luke Abrams — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-walking-dead.md)
- *Ugly Americans* (2010), series, as Additional Voices (voice)
- *The Good Wife* (2009), series, as Nick Zubrovsky — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-good-wife.md)
- *Love Happens* (2009), as Lane
- *Taking Woodstock* (2009), as Devon
- *Hysterical Psycho* (2009), as Psychiatrist · Director
- *Fanboys* (2009), as Hutch
- *Kung Fu Panda* (2008), as Zeng (voice) — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/kung-fu-panda.md)
- *Horton Hears a Who!* (2008), as Councilman / Yummo Wickersham (voice)
- *The Marconi Bros* (2008), as Carmine Marconi
- *Balls Out: The Making of 'Balls of Fury'* (2007), Actor
- *Under the Balls: The Life of a Ball Wrangler* (2007), Actor
- *Good Luck Chuck* (2007), as Dr. Stu Klaminsky
- *Balls of Fury* (2007), as Randy Daytona
- *School for Scoundrels* (2006), as Zack
- *Robot Chicken* (2005), series, as Father (voice)
- *American Dad!* (2005), series, as (voice)
- *Hyper* (2002), as Lenny
- *Aqua Teen Hunger Force* (2000), series, as Glen (voice), Zenwa Surveyor 7019 / Hyper Toaster 8019 (voice)
- *All Day & All Night*, Actor
- *M'larky*, series, Creator
- *The Kellys*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Dan Fogler](https://film.one/media/person/10019/gallery-4d519cc44be3.jpg) Dan Fogler — DavidPMaynard, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/96/Dan_Fogler_at_MCM_Comic_Con_London%2C_May_2025_01.jpg/1280px-Dan_Fogler_at_MCM_Comic_Con_London%2C_May_2025_01.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Actor Dan Fogler at the Big Apple Convention in Manhattan, October 2, 2010. Photo by Luigi Novi. This photo may be used, modified and published for any purpose,](https://film.one/media/person/10019/gallery-ce781d21319a.jpg) Actor Dan Fogler at the Big Apple Convention in Manhattan, October 2, 2010. Photo by Luigi Novi. This photo may be used, modified and published for any purpose, — Nightscream, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/10.2.10DanFoglerByLuigiNovi.jpg/1280px-10.2.10DanFoglerByLuigiNovi.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Actors James Marsters and Dan Fogler clowing around in the autograph signing area during the Big Apple Convention in Manhattan, May 21, 2011. Photographed by Lu](https://film.one/media/person/10019/gallery-fa9f292f15ce.jpg) Actors James Marsters and Dan Fogler clowing around in the autograph signing area during the Big Apple Convention in Manhattan, May 21, 2011. Photographed by Lu — Nightscream, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fc/5.21.11MarstersFoglerByLuigiNovi.jpg/1280px-5.21.11MarstersFoglerByLuigiNovi.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Aisha Tyler, Eddie Redmayne, Claudia Kim, Zoë Kravitz, Callum Turner, Ezra Miller, Alison Sudol, Dan Fogler, Katherine Waterston and Jude Law speaking at the 20 (2018)](https://film.one/media/person/10019/gallery-68c7709c6f84.jpg) Aisha Tyler, Eddie Redmayne, Claudia Kim, Zoë Kravitz, Callum Turner, Ezra Miller, Alison Sudol, Dan Fogler, Katherine Waterston and Jude Law speaking at the 20 (2018) — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/Aisha_Tyler%2C_Eddie_Redmayne%2C_Claudia_Kim%2C_Zo%C3%AB_Kravitz%2C_Callum_Turner%2C_Ezra_Miller%2C_Alison_Sudol%2C_Dan_Fogler%2C_Katherine_Waterston_%26_Jude_Law_%2843001995914%29.jpg/1280px-Aisha_Tyler%2C_Eddie_Redmayne%2C_Claudia_Kim%2C_Zo%C3%AB_Kravitz%2C_Callum_Turner%2C_Ezra_Miller%2C_Alison_Sudol%2C_Dan_Fogler%2C_Katherine_Waterston_%26_Jude_Law_%2843001995914%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Dan Fogler](https://film.one/media/person/10019/gallery-fd33e2da3766.jpg) Dan Fogler — Image via TMDB
- ![Dan Fogler](https://film.one/media/person/10019/gallery-a9551aaa07e6.jpg) Dan Fogler — Image via TMDB
- ![Dan Fogler](https://film.one/media/person/10019/gallery-2e00e96c5bba.jpg) Dan Fogler — Image via TMDB
- ![Callum Turner, Ezra Miller, Alison Sudol, Dan Fogler, Katherine Waterston and Eddie Redmayne speaking at the 2018 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Fantas](https://film.one/media/person/10019/gallery-190233379b8a.jpg) Callum Turner, Ezra Miller, Alison Sudol, Dan Fogler, Katherine Waterston and Eddie Redmayne speaking at the 2018 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Fantas — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/01/Callum_Turner%2C_Ezra_Miller%2C_Alison_Sudol%2C_Dan_Fogler%2C_Katherine_Waterston_%26_Eddie_Redmayne_%2842814410435%29.jpg/1280px-Callum_Turner%2C_Ezra_Miller%2C_Alison_Sudol%2C_Dan_Fogler%2C_Katherine_Waterston_%26_Eddie_Redmayne_%2842814410435%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![David Yates, Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Alison Sudol, Dan Fogler, Colin Farrell and Ezra Miller speaking at the 2016 San Diego Comic Con International](https://film.one/media/person/10019/gallery-0335a2fdba2d.jpg) David Yates, Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Alison Sudol, Dan Fogler, Colin Farrell and Ezra Miller speaking at the 2016 San Diego Comic Con International — Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8d/Cast_of_Fantastic_Beasts_%26_Where_to_Find_Them.jpg/1280px-Cast_of_Fantastic_Beasts_%26_Where_to_Find_Them.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Dan Fogler](https://film.one/media/person/10019/gallery-6d38c640f2a2.jpg) Dan Fogler — Image via TMDB
- ![Dan Fogler](https://film.one/media/person/10019/gallery-f0279874fb63.jpg) Dan Fogler — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Other awards — 1 won, 2 nominated

- European Film Award – People's Choice Award for Best European Film 2019: European Film Award – People's Choice Award for Best European Film (nominated), for *Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald*
- European Film Award – People's Choice Award for Best European Film 2017: European Film Award – People's Choice Award for Best European Film (nominated), for *Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them*
- Theatre World Award 2005: Theatre World Award (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/dan-fogler