---
name: "Daniel Stern"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/daniel-stern"
fi1m_id: "daniel-stern"
imdb_id: "nm0827663"
tmdb_id: 11511
wikidata_id: "Q379811"
roles: ["Actor","Director"]
born: "28 August 1957"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 11
average_fi1m_score: 75
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 9
updated: "2026-10-04T21:53:26.155878+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."
---

# Daniel Stern

## Identity

Daniel Stern

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/daniel-stern
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** daniel-stern
- **IMDb ID:** nm0827663
- **TMDB ID:** 11511
- **Wikidata ID:** Q379811
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Stern_(actor), https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q379811, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0827663/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/11511

Actor and director. Born 28 August 1957 in Bethesda, Maryland, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor, Director
- **Born:** 28 August 1957, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
- **Active:** 1979–2019
- **Also known as:** دنیل استرن, Daniel Jacob Stern, Деніел Джейкоб Стерн
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 11: 9 acting, 1 directing, 1 other
- **Frequently works with:** [Chris Columbus](https://film.one/person/chris-columbus.md), [Joe Pesci](https://film.one/person/joe-pesci.md), [John Heard](https://film.one/person/john-heard.md), [John Hughes](https://film.one/person/john-hughes.md), [Macaulay Culkin](https://film.one/person/macaulay-culkin.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 75, as actor, over 9 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 86 (1), 1980s 81 (4), 1990s 70 (4), 2010s 72 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 77 to 71 across 8 titles
- **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 5 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 2 of 6 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 7, Drama 5, Family 2, Action 1, Adventure 1, Animation 1
- **Screen time:** 13 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,131m across 7 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Stern_(actor), https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q379811, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0827663/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/11511

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*The Wonder Years*](https://film.one/tv/the-wonder-years.md) (82), [*Home Alone*](https://film.one/film/home-alone.md) (80), [*Home Alone 2: Lost in New York*](https://film.one/film/home-alone-2-lost-in-new-york.md) (63)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*City Slickers*](https://film.one/film/city-slickers.md) (76)
- **Netflix:** [*Blue Thunder*](https://film.one/film/blue-thunder.md) (71)

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

## Fi1m on Daniel Stern

> Daniel Stern is the friend in the group who is not quite enjoying himself, and the burglar who takes the fall, and he plays both without asking to be liked. He is best in company; on his own, as a voice, he tends to explain.

Watch him in a group scene and he is usually the one slightly out of temper. In *Diner* (1982), his Shrevie is irritated where the others are merely idle, and that irritation is what stops Barry Levinson's company of young men from becoming too cosy. In *City Slickers* (1991), Phil Berquist gives Billy Crystal something to push against, a friend who knows how to get a laugh at his expense and does not mind taking one back. Stern does not play the funniest man at the table. He plays the man the funniest man needs.

The career runs in a straight line from that. He began in *Breaking Away* (1979) and broke through in *Diner*, which put him among the young actors of the early 1980s. Then came the two parts most people know him for, Marv in *Home Alone* (1990) and Phil in *City Slickers*, each with a sequel, in 1992 and 1994. At the same time he was the adult Kevin narrating *The Wonder Years* (1988–93) and directing some of its episodes, and *Rookie of the Year* (1993) was his first feature as director. Since then it has been character parts, voice work, including *Dilbert*, two films for Woody Allen, and television, most recently *For All Mankind* (2019–).

*Home Alone* is the best case for what he does with his body. He and Joe Pesci supply the two adults the plot needs to punish, and neither is too grand to look thoroughly foolish. We laughed at a grown man being hurt by a child's traps, again and again, and then felt slightly guilty about it, because Stern never once asks for our sympathy; he gets up and takes the next fall. The timing is the work, and it is partnership work, done opposite Pesci. Stern has said of his method, "I don't exactly know how I work or develop a character. But it doesn't involve a lot of history." It shows, and mostly to his credit. He plays the scene in front of him.

The weakness is the voice. The adult viewpoint in *The Wonder Years* is a good idea, and Fred Savage's Kevin is uncertain and awkward in ways that hold our attention, but Stern's narration keeps telling us what Savage's face has already settled. Some of that is Neal Marlens and Carol Black's writing, which pushes the lesson. Some of it is the delivery, which is warm and tidy where the boy is neither. Away from the group, and away from his own body, he is a less interesting actor.

Start with *Diner*, where the writing lets him be difficult. Go on to *Home Alone* for the falls. The narration comes bundled with the series, and you will have to put up with it.

## Biography

Daniel Stern is an American actor. Born in Bethesda, Maryland, he began acting professionally at the age of seventeen and appeared in early films including *Breaking Away* (1979), *Diner* (1982) and *Hannah and Her Sisters* (1986).

He is known for his roles as Marv in *Home Alone* (1990) and *Home Alone 2: Lost in New York* (1992), and as Phil Berquist in *City Slickers* (1991). Stern provided the voice of the adult narrator for the television series *The Wonder Years* (1988–1993) and made his feature directorial debut with *Rookie of the Year* (1993).

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

## On Fi1m (11)

### Performed in (9) — the average rests on these

- *For All Mankind* (2019), Fi1m 66, as Eli Hobson — [page](https://film.one/tv/for-all-mankind-2019.md)
- *Family Guy* (1999), Fi1m 63, as Narrator (voice) — [page](https://film.one/tv/family-guy.md)
- *Home Alone 2: Lost in New York* (1992), Fi1m 63, as Marv — [page](https://film.one/film/home-alone-2-lost-in-new-york.md)
- *City Slickers* (1991), Fi1m 76, as Phil Berquist — [page](https://film.one/film/city-slickers.md)
- *Home Alone* (1990), Fi1m 80, as Marv — [page](https://film.one/film/home-alone.md)
- *Hannah and Her Sisters* (1986), Fi1m 88, as Dusty — [page](https://film.one/film/hannah-and-her-sisters.md)
- *Blue Thunder* (1983), Fi1m 71, as Lymangood — [page](https://film.one/film/blue-thunder.md)
- *Diner* (1982), Fi1m 84, as Laurence 'Shrevie' Schreiber — [page](https://film.one/film/diner.md)
- *Breaking Away* (1979), Fi1m 86, as Cyril — [page](https://film.one/film/breaking-away.md)

### Directed (1)

- *The Wonder Years* (1988), Fi1m 82, as Narrator (Adult Kevin) — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-wonder-years.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *Frankenweenie* (2012), Fi1m 79, Thanks — [page](https://film.one/film/frankenweenie.md)

## Complete filmography (78)

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

- *For All Mankind* (2019), series, as Eli Hobson — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/for-all-mankind-2019.md)
- *James vs. His Future Self* (2019), as Jimmy
- *Shrill* (2019), series, as Bill Easton
- *Game Over, Man!* (2018), as Mitch
- *City Slickers In Westworld* (2017), as Phil Berquist
- *Angie Tribeca* (2016), series, as Dreyfuss — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/angie-tribeca.md)
- *Manhattan* (2014), series, as Glen Babbit · Director
- *Getting On* (2013), series, as Richard James
- *Frankenweenie* (2012), Thanks — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/film/frankenweenie.md)
- *A Christmas Story 2* (2012), as The Old Man
- *House of Lies* (2012), series, as Robert Tretorn
- *California Romanza* (2011), as Uncle Pops
- *Workaholics* (2011), series, as Travis Rockne
- *Battle of the Bulbs* (2010), as Bob Wallace
- *The Next Three Days* (2010), as Meyer Fisk
- *A Previous Engagement* (2009), as Jack Reynolds
- *Whip It* (2009), as Earl Cavendar
- *Otis* (2008), as Will Lawson
- *The Last Time* (2006), as John
- *Bachelor Party Vegas* (2006), as Harry Hard
- *Complete Savages* (2004), series, Director
- *The Last Full Measure* (2004), Actor
- *Down* (2003), as Johnny
- *Regular Joe* (2003), series, as Joe Binder
- *Monk* (2002), series, as Sheriff Fletcher
- *Danny* (2001), series, as Danny
- *Dead Simple* (2001), as Frank Jacobs
- *Home Alone - Making of & Behind the Scenes* (1999), as Marv
- *Family Guy* (1999), series, as Narrator (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/family-guy.md)
- *Dilbert* (1999), series, as Dilbert (voice)
- *Very Bad Things* (1998), as Adam Berkow
- *Tourist Trap* (1998), as George W. Piper
- *Gun* (1997), series, as Harvey
- *Hey Arnold!* (1996), series, as Mr. Packenham (voice)
- *Celtic Pride* (1996), as Mike O'Hara
- *Bushwhacked* (1995), as Max Grabelski · Executive Producer
- *City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold* (1994), as Phil Berquist
- *seaQuest DSV* (1993), series, Actor
- *Rookie of the Year* (1993), as Phil Brickma · Director
- *Home Alone 2: Lost in New York* (1992), as Marv — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/home-alone-2-lost-in-new-york.md)
- *Larry Bird: A Basketball Legend* (1991), as Narrator
- *City Slickers* (1991), as Phil Berquist — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/city-slickers.md)
- *Home Alone* (1990), as Marv — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/home-alone.md)
- *The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson* (1990), as William Cline
- *My Blue Heaven* (1990), as Will Stubbs
- *Coupe de Ville* (1990), as Marvin Libner
- *The Simpsons* (1989), series, as Narrator (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md)
- *Friends, Lovers, & Lunatics* (1989), as Mat
- *Little Monsters* (1989), as Glen Stevenson
- *Leviathan* (1989), as Buzz 'Sixpack' Parrish
- *D.O.A.* (1988), as Hal Petersham
- *The Milagro Beanfield War* (1988), as Herbie Platt
- *Weekend War* (1988), as Dr. David Garfield
- *The Wonder Years* (1988), series, Narrator (Adult Kevin), Director — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-wonder-years.md)
- *Born in East L.A.* (1987), as Jimmy
- *Hannah and Her Sisters* (1986), as Dusty — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/hannah-and-her-sisters.md)
- *The Boss' Wife* (1986), as Joel Keefer
- *Hometown* (1985), series, Actor
- *Key Exchange* (1985), as Michael
- *The Comedy Factory* (1985), series, as Leon
- *Frankenweenie* (1984), as Ben Frankenstein
- *C.H.U.D.* (1984), as A.J. 'The Reverend' Shepherd
- *Samson and Delilah* (1984), as Micah
- *Daniel* (1983), as Artie Sternlicht
- *Get Crazy* (1983), as Neil Allen
- *Blue Thunder* (1983), as Lymangood — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/blue-thunder.md)
- *Behind-the-Scenes: Blue Thunder* (1983), Actor
- *Nature* (1982), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *Diner* (1982), as Laurence 'Shrevie' Schreiber — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/diner.md)
- *I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can* (1982), as Jim
- *Honky Tonk Freeway* (1981), as Hitchhiker
- *It's My Turn* (1980), as Cooperman
- *One Trick Pony* (1980), as Hare Krishna
- *Stardust Memories* (1980), as Actor
- *A Small Circle of Friends* (1980), as Crazy Kid: Draft Inductee
- *Starting Over* (1979), as Student 2
- *Breaking Away* (1979), as Cyril — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/breaking-away.md)
- *Vegetable Soup* (1975), series, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Actor Daniel Stern at the TCA/CTAM press tour event and the special panel event at the Paley Center on July 9, 2014](https://film.one/media/person/77541/gallery-6de804e02542.jpg) Actor Daniel Stern at the TCA/CTAM press tour event and the special panel event at the Paley Center on July 9, 2014 — Mingle Media TV, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3c/Daniel_Stern_July_9%2C_2014.jpg/1280px-Daniel_Stern_July_9%2C_2014.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Daniel Stern](https://film.one/media/person/77541/gallery-bb0644f09df2.jpg) Daniel Stern — Mingle Media TV, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/51/Daniel_Stern_July_9%2C_2014_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Daniel_Stern_July_9%2C_2014_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Daniel Stern](https://film.one/media/person/77541/gallery-f2e7bb015b34.jpg) Daniel Stern — Image via TMDB
- ![Daniel Stern](https://film.one/media/person/77541/gallery-1e13e3bff041.jpg) Daniel Stern — Image via TMDB
- ![Daniel Stern](https://film.one/media/person/77541/gallery-e9dd0d4d5062.jpg) Daniel Stern — Image via TMDB

---
© 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/daniel-stern