John Francis Daley

He plays keyboards and sings for the band Dayplayer. Daley is also known for his collaborative work with fellow writer and director Jonathan Goldstein, working on various films together. Daley and Goldstein's first work together was co-writing the comedy Horrible Bosses (2011), co-writers for The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (2013), co-story writing for Horrible Bosses 2 (2014), and co-writing/co-directing (in their directing debuts) the fifth film in the National Lampoon's Vacation film series, Vacation (2015). The duo were co-writers for Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) with Jon Watts, Christopher Ford, Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, and they co-directed the 2018 comedy Game Night and the 2023 fantasy Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.

• Name — John Francis Daley • Born — 20 July 1985 • Birthplace — Wheeling, Illinois, U.S. • Occupation — * Actor • film director • film producer • screenwriter • Years Active — 1998–present • Children — 1

Daley is the son of R.F. Daley, an actor, and Nancy Daley, a piano teacher. His father is of Irish Catholic background, while his mother is Jewish. He grew up in Nyack, New York, where he played Danny in Nyack Middle School's production of Grease.

Daley began acting when he was cast as young Tommy in the U.S. and international tours of the Broadway hit The Who's Tommy. He played Sam Weir, protagonist of the "Geeks", in the television series Freaks and Geeks, and since then he has worked continuously in television, including series such as The Geena Davis Show, Boston Public, Regular Joe, Kitchen Confidential, Judging Amy, and Spin City. He was #94 on VH1's 100 Greatest Teen Stars. In 2001, Daley co-directed a short film titled What Babies Do. He also wrote and starred in the comedy short Friday Night. In 2005, he appeared in the film Waiting... and in the Fox sitcom Kitchen Confidential. In 2007, Daley joined the cast of the Fox drama series Bones, portraying psychologist Lance Sweets. He co-wrote the season six episode "The Truth in the Myth" with his writing partner Jonathan Goldstein. Sweets was ultimately killed in the season 10 premiere; Bones executive producer Stephen Nathan said Sweets was killed because Daley wanted time off to direct a movie, and he was concerned that Daley's absence would be too long, especially if the directing job led to other jobs. Daley was also featured in the music video for "Mercy Kiss" by Abandoned Pools. In 2011, Daley and his writing partner Jonathan M. Goldstein wrote the black comedy Horrible Bosses. In 2013, Daley co-wrote The Incredible Burt Wonderstone with Goldstein; Daley also has a cameo in the film as a paramedic. In 2013, the two were hired to write Call of the Wild for DreamWorks Studios. John plays Ben House in Rapture-Palooza. Daley went on to write the story for the sequel to Horrible Bosses. Daley and Goldstein co-wrote and co-directed the 2015 film Vacation, the latest installment of the National Lampoon's Vacation film series, starring Ed Helms and Christina Applegate. Daley and Goldstein wrote the screenplay for the 2017 film Spider-Man: Homecoming with four other screenwriters, and were both considered to direct before Jon Watts was hired. Daley and Goldstein directed the 2018 black comedy Game Night, based on a screenplay by Mark Perez. The film, starring Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams, "earned a raft of glowing reviews for its whip-smart script, energetic performances, and deliberate avoidance of modern comedy's ubiquitous tropes," and grossed $117 million at the worldwide box office, versus a $37 million budget. While Daley and Goldstein did not receive screenwriter credit, they later said they rewrote "almost all of the original script's dialogue, totally overhauled the characters — most notably a creepy cop portrayed by Jesse Plemons — and comprehensively reworked the original script's third act." In 2018, it was announced that the duo were set to direct a film adaptation of DC Comics' The Flash for their DC Extended Universe, but it was announced in July that they have left the project. Despite this, both Daley and Goldstein received story by credit alongside Joby Harold. Goldstein and Daley wrote and directed the reboot of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023). Goldstein and Daley wrote and directed the 2026 action comedy Mayday, an original feature for Skydance and Apple that stars Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh.

• Year — Title — Director — Writer — Producer — Notes • 2011 — Bones — Episode "The Truth in the Myth" • 2019 — In the Dark — Consulting — Episode "All About the Benjamin" • 2021 — Welcome to Georgia — Executive • 2024 — Hysteria! — Executive Acting credits • Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1999–2000 — Freaks and Geeks — Sam Weir — 18 episodes • 2000–2001 — Boston Public — Anthony Ward — 5 episodes • 2000–2001 — The Geena Davis Show — Carter Ryan — 22 episodes • 2001 — The Ellen Show — Erik — Episode: "Walden Pond" • The Kennedys — Anthony — TV movie • 2002 — Spin City — Spencer — Episode: "Eyes Wide Open" • 2003 — Regular Joe — Grant Binder — 5 episodes • 2004 — Judging Amy — Jace Crosby — Episode: "Roadhouse Blues" • 2005–2006 — Kitchen Confidential — Jim — 13 episodes • 2006 — Stacked — Kevin — Episode: "The Third Date" • 2007 — The Call — Tom — TV movie • 2007–2014 — Bones — Dr. Lance Sweets — 138 episodes • 2010 — Yo Gabba Gabba! — Himself — Episode: "Flying" • 2012 — The Finder — Dr. Lance Sweets — Episode: "Bullets" • 2015 — Bottom's Butte — Scott and Cabana Boy — Voice • 2016 — Fresh Off the Boat — Jordan — Episode: "Rent Day" • 2019 — Drunk History — James J. Andrews — Episode: "Behind Enemy Lines"

John Francis Daley is recorded as actor, screenwriter, musician and director.

• Year — Title — Director — Writer • 2001 — What Babies Do • 2011 — Audio Tour

• Year — Title — Director — Writer — Producer • 2011 — Horrible Bosses • 2013 — The Incredible Burt Wonderstone • Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 • 2014 — Horrible Bosses 2 — Story • 2015 — Vacation • 2017 — Spider-Man: Homecoming • 2018 — Game Night — Uncredited • 2019 — Stuber • 2021 — Vacation Friends • 2023 — Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves — Executive • The Flash — Story • 2025 — A Minecraft Movie — Uncredited • 2026 — Mayday Acting credits • Year — Title — Role — Notes • 2000 — Allerd Fishbein's in Love — Allerd Fishbein — Short film • 2003 — View from the Top — Rodney • 2005 — Waiting... — Mitch • 2008 — Burying the Ex — Zak — Original short film • 2011 — Horrible Bosses — Carter • 2013 — The Incredible Burt Wonderstone — Paramedic • Rapture-Palooza — Ben • 2015 — Dude Bro Party Massacre III — Ernest — Cameo role • Vacation — Ride Operator • 2018 — Game Night — Carter • 2022 — 5-25-77 — Pat