It’s hard to believe that Elf has been a holiday staple for over 20 years! The 2003 film introduced audiences to Will Ferrell’s Buddy the Elf and memorable quotes like “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear” and “Buddy the elf, what’s your favorite color?” Alongside Ferrell, one of the film’s notable performances came from Daniel Tay, who played Buddy’s half-brother, Michael Hobbs.
At just 11 years old, Daniel was a newcomer to Hollywood with a small role in American Splendor before landing the iconic part in Elf. Since then, however, his career in acting has been relatively quiet. After Elf, Daniel voiced the lead character in Doogal (2006), appeared in Beer League, and had roles in the video game Bully and American Dad. His last acting credits were in 2009, with voice roles in American Dad and Grand Theft Auto IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony.
Since stepping away from acting, Daniel, now 33, shifted focus to academics. He studied economics at Yale and now works as an educator at Veritas Prep, a company that helps students prepare for college and graduate school entrance exams. While his Veritas Prep profile still lists him as an actor and writer, it’s unclear if he’ll return to the entertainment industry. For now, fans continue to enjoy his comedic performance in Elf, a holiday favorite that remains timeless.
Other Articles
