Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Lyon.
Hi Daniel, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I was born in Las Vegas, NV, and grew up in the city of lights and entertainment for most of my adult years. I was born into a humble upbringing, where traditional beliefs and hardened discipline were what we knew and followed. After my parents’ divorce, our family dispersed, and I moved from place to place with my dad. We lived all over the Vegas Valley, I went to 5 different high schools, and in the span of only a few years grew to be an adult at a rapid pace. My teenage years were anything but average, and I learned what it meant to be an adult earlier than most.
One constant I discovered throughout my younger years was the importance of happiness. I strived to find it no matter what dark place I ended up in; happiness was the light that helped guide me. Much of my happiness came from music, movies, people, and entertainment in all its many forms. In this pursuit, I discovered the life of theater, the very core of entertainment that helped cultivate my creativity. Naturally, I became a theater kid and participated in several, if not all, the different variations of the art. In my later years of high school, I also discovered a group of friends who played Dungeons & Dragons which amplified my love for creative writing, acting, and improv.
Through the years after high school, I did like most people; I held jobs and lived my life according to what I thought I wanted. I never stopped growing creatively, but I also didn’t immediately pursue a life in entertainment. In my late twenties, I really started to think about what I wanted and where I wanted to end up because a regular life working a 9 to 5 job wasn’t enough. I traveled to Italy and toured Europe by myself for roughly 5 months during this time and did some deep soul-searching. I found myself out there and, when I returned, set myself on a path that I’m still traveling today. I promised myself that I’d use my skills and talent in the arts to help bring joy and happiness to the world.
I dedicated the first year to researching and developing the foreground of my identity as an actor, model, and entertainer. I practiced and learned all that I could, and being an autodidact, I honed those skills to be put into play. In the following years, I secured photoshoots and acting gigs that helped season me in the industry, knowing I had to work my way up from the bottom. The industry is a cutthroat one and a challenge to break into, but I was determined, and I soon began to land roles in commercials, feature films, and entertainment groups. My girlfriend at the time also helped amplify my love for expressing my creativity through cosplay, costumes, and SFX makeup. I had an ever-growing resume but discovered that I could only go so far in Vegas and knew the next big step would be to move to where the magic happened – Los Angeles, CA.
I’ve been living in Los Angeles, CA, for roughly 2 years now and have had many opportunities here. I’ve established a network of supporters and business professionals who even see my potential, more than what I would’ve previously expected. I’ve performed as an actor, cosplayer, and freelancer during my time here for clients like FOX Entertainment, Disney, Warner Bros, and Sony. I’m currently a Producer and Casting Director for an upcoming series with massive potential and slated to appear on a major streaming platform soon. I’m frequently in San Diego for work and have recently finished performing as The Joker for DC Comics at San Diego Comicon 2023. I’ve continued to write and create no matter where I go, and being close to the action has served me well.
Within 5 years of being in California, I plan to be listed as a well-known actor, filmmaker, and producer for some truly amazing pieces. I intend to fulfill my dream of bringing joy, happiness, laughter, and fun to the masses with these great works. From humble beginnings to living among the stars, my name is Daniel R. Lyon III, and I aim to entertain!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No road taken has ever been without its fair share of potholes or detours. The moviemaking and entertainment industry is overly saturated, and for every ten roles that are available, you’ll find a thousand applicants. When I was researching the industry, I read several sources, and many spoke about how difficult it is to ‘make it.’ I learned it is possible so long as you stay consistent, put in the work, and be yourself, all the while finding a way to stand out from the rest. This is no easy task, but when you’re creative and a hardworking person, you’ll discover what this means for you. Soon you’ll see clearly what you need to do to stand out, just always remember to never lose faith in yourself and try not to take anything too personally.
I have a lot of experience in management and administration, which has led me to work more on the decision-making side of production. This recognized talent helped place me in my current position as a Producer. My established network of friends, supporters, and clients has also lent me the resources to perform as a Casting Director. My point here is that we also need to know when it’s time to lean on our innate talents and skills when one way isn’t working as smoothly as we’d like. Now having been placed in these positions, I’ve also been offered to be an actor for the series we’re working on, which is what I ultimately want. Regardless of your circumstances, keep working at it from all angles, and you’d be surprised what you can do when life hands you lemons.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
Before I decided to embark on my journey, I held several different jobs that ranged all over the place. As an autodidact, I’ve always applied myself to learn my craft through dedicated research and practice. Since I’ve begun pursuing the movie industry, I’ve learned to work for myself, creating my own schedule and seeking out jobs that allow me to live the life I wish. None of it has come to me without hard work and consistent effort, but all of it has provided a sense of accomplishment that is difficult to deny. It is not an easy path to walk, but one I feel is necessary to accomplish the deeds I intend to see through.
Presently, I’m a freelance contractor and entrepreneur, and I work solely for myself. In entertainment, I’ve worked as an actor, performer, cosplayer, model, and voice for a variety of different clients, both professionally and recreationally. In the professional realm, I’ve worked as a production assistant, brand ambassador, promotional model, EMCEE, and host with numerous companies and have also been a lead in many of these roles. My previous experience comes from the fields of customer service, hospitality, retail, account management, and technical support, with many being supervisory or administrative positions. This laundry list of different professions has contributed to my skill set and my ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
The series I’m working on currently has a large team of creatives. People that have experience in spades and have been honing their crafts for years. I’ve been fortunate enough to assist in a multitude of ways, but I’m primarily a Producer, Casting Director, Writer, and Actor for the series. In my production work, I’ve worked alongside some amazing production companies putting together several multi-million-dollar projects. Having worked with clients like YouTube, Google, and some private entities, I’ve seen some truly amazing things come to life. I’ve held positions such as Production Coordinator, Office Manager, and Talent Wrangler, which have all given me a unique perspective on what happens behind the scenes.
No matter what jobs I’ve worked or gigs I’ve been a part of, they’ve all given me experience I can use for what is to come. Never shy away from work, humble or illustrious; it all provides a person with building blocks to build a brighter future.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
If anything can be taken away from my story, from what I’ve done or been through, let it be this: never stop believing in yourself. You are the architect of your own destiny. The work you put in is the result you’ll receive, and if you give it your all, you should be proud of your hard work. Nothing ever comes without a cost, and if we’re willing to pay the price of commitment, discipline, and time, we can be capable of anything. Keep fighting for what you want in life, stay true to yourself, and live life to its fullest. If I could convince you to do just one thing, I’d say that no matter what it is you choose to do, let it be something that helps make this world a brighter place. Let us all uplift our fellow humans, let’s set aside our hate and learn to love, and let’s promote the positive.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.danielrlyon3.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniel.r.lyon.3
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielrlyon3
Image Credits
Jim Donnelly
Bamboo Forest Photography
Hyn May Productions
Mike Khashaiar
Ruh Dilly
Tommy Mac
