Trivia

Proposed to Sex and the City (1998) actress Kim Cattrall by sticking a written marriage proposal to their fridge; however the two later split without tying the knot.

"L.A. Law" creator Steven Bochco was so impressed with Benzali's performance on "NYPD Blue" that he cast him in the lead role of his 1995 series "Murder One". He was nominated for a Golden Globe award.

Has the distinction of appearing in the pilot episodes of two successful New York based crime dramas New York - Police judiciaire (1990) , and New York Police Blues (1993).

An accomplished singer and recorded an album covering several popular jazz and blues hits, Benzali appeared in London and on Broadway in musicals including the London productions of "Piaf" and "Evita" (as Juan Peron), as well as opposite Patti LuPone as Max in the original 1993 cast of "Sunset Boulevard".

Was born in Rio de Janeiro to Brazilian Jewish parents, the middle child of three boys. His father, Carlos Benzali, was an actor in the Yiddish theater in New York. The family moved to Brooklyn after his father's death and when Daniel was still quite young. He spent his childhood and teen years interested in sports and singing.

After a few years of performing in regional theatre throughout the U.S., Benzali traveled to England, where he performed with The Half Moon Theatre company, and then came to the attention of Trevor Nunn, who invited him to become a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Performed at the Royal Albert Hall in London where he sang a program of Gershwin's music.

His ex-wife Lynda Medwell was a potter. They were married for eight years before divorcing in the early 1980s.

Ranked #2 on Tropopkin's Top 25 Most Intriguing People [Issue #100]