Daniel Gillies

Daniel Gillies is a Canadian-New Zealand actor and filmmaker. He is widely recognized for his role as Elijah Mikaelson in the supernatural drama series The Vampire Diaries and its spin-off The Originals, which became a central focus of his career. Gillies also starred as Dr. Joel Goran in the Canadian medical drama Saving Hope. He has further demonstrated his creative versatility by writing, directing, and producing independent films, including Broken Kingdom. Gillies maintains a relatively private life, engaging with fans on social media by sharing insights into his projects and personal life. He continues to be active in television, with a role in Virgin River, and is exploring new ventures behind the camera.[edit]

Daniel Joshua Gillies was born on March 14, 1976, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. His early life was shaped by his family's medical background, with his father working as a pediatrician and his mother as a nurse. Gillies, who holds mixed heritage including partial Māori ancestry that he has spoken about with quiet pride, spent his formative years in Canada before his family relocated to New Zealand when he was five years old. They settled first in Invercargill, a city on the South Island, before moving to Hamilton on the North Island, where he would spend much of his childhood. It was during his teenage years that Gillies discovered a burgeoning interest in acting.

To cultivate his newfound passion and sharpen his craft, Gillies enrolled at the prestigious Unitec School of Performing Arts in Auckland. Upon completing his studies, he immediately immersed himself in the local arts scene, joining the Auckland Theatre Company and building a foundation in stage work. His talent soon translated to the screen, where fans first noticed him in various local New Zealand productions. He landed his first significant television role in the New Zealand legal drama Street Legal, which aired from 2000 to 2003. This series provided him with invaluable and consistent on-screen experience, allowing him to hone his skills while balancing stage appearances.

With a solid grounding in New Zealand, Gillies felt ready to challenge himself in larger international productions. His ambition led him to briefly explore opportunities abroad, including a six-week stint in Sydney, Australia, in 2001. He then ventured to Canada, where he took on various jobs, including working as a waiter and dishwasher for two months, before making the pivotal decision to move to Los Angeles. It was in Hollywood that his career began to gain significant traction. During this crucial pre-fame period, Gillies secured small but pivotal roles that built his confidence, such as appearances in Young Hercules (1998) and the psychological thriller No One Can Hear You (2001) . These experiences were instrumental in preparing him for his eventual breakthrough in the competitive entertainment industry. [edit]

Gillies made his first big impression in 2004 when he played John Jameson in Spider-Man 2. The same year he appeared alongside Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Bride & Prejudice. These roles helped him land steady work in both film and television. His true breakthrough arrived in 2009 with the part of Elijah Mikaelson on The Vampire Diaries. The sophisticated vampire quickly became a fan favorite, and Gillies reprised the character when The Originals launched in 2013, anchoring the show for five seasons. While starring on the supernatural series he also took on Dr. Joel Goran in Saving Hope, a role that ran for several seasons and showcased his comedic timing. In 2012 he wrote, directed, and produced the independent film Broken Kingdom, proving his talents extended beyond performing. Later appearances in SEAL Team (2019–2022) and Virgin River (2021–present) kept him visible on television. His career reflects a deliberate balance between blockbuster projects, long-running series, and personal creative endeavors. [edit]

Daniel Gillies is widely perceived as a sophisticated, thoughtful actor with theatrical gravitas. His public image emphasizes professionalism, privacy, and creative versatility, often described as refined and intense. The Vampire Diaries and The Originals fandom, sometimes called “TVDFamily” or “Originals Stans,” remains dedicated; fans celebrate his polished delivery of Elijah’s monologues and his real-life humility. His social media voice is warm, self-deprecating, and project-focused rather than personal. He shares occasional family and creative updates but maintains a relatively private personal life. Media portrayals highlight his dual Canadian-New Zealand identity and partial Māori heritage, adding depth to his public persona. Fan rituals include annual re-watches, convention meet-and-greets, and appreciation for his directing ambitions.[edit]

Daniel Gillies may not top global fame charts, but among supernatural drama devotees, he is a quiet titan. As of August 2026, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated his standing, yet he does not currently hold a placement in the published rankings, neither within the Global Top 1,000 nor any Top-100 scope list. This absence, however, belies a formidable presence in the hearts of fans who have followed his career since Elijah Mikaelson first straightened his cuffs on The Vampire Diaries.

His fanbase, though lacking a formal name, is a devoted and vocal community, often informally referred to as "Elijah fans" or "Original Family stans." They have no single moniker, but their collective passion is undeniable. On Instagram, Gillies commands around 5 million followers, a reflection of his enduring appeal. These fans are not just passive viewers; they are active participants in his journey, celebrating his work through fan art, edits, and dedicated social media accounts. The fandom's most significant organized effort was the massive campaign to secure The Originals spinoff, a victory that saw Gillies lead the series for five seasons.

Gillies' legendary status is built on iconic moments and a deep connection with his audience. The story of how he created "the monster in the suit", inventing Elijah's defining traits when writers initially provided little direction, remains a cherished piece of lore. His portrayal, marked by refined intensity and theatrical polish, helped The Originals carve its own identity, and scenes like Elijah's final choice in the series finale continue to spark discourse. Fans appreciate his warmth and humility, qualities that shine through in his interactions at conventions and on social media, making him not just a star, but a beloved figure in the supernatural television landscape.[edit]

Daniel Gillies wrote, directed, and produced the 2012 independent film Broken Kingdom, which also starred his then-wife Rachael Leigh Cook. He has appeared in approximately 20 film and 15 television credits, totaling 35. He is distantly related to Sir Harold Gillies, the "father of plastic surgery." Before fame, he worked as a waiter and dishwasher in Canada. Fans particularly praise the "refined and intense" quality he brought to Elijah Mikaelson, contrasting with the younger cast. His performance combined refined intensity and theatrical polish, helping The Originals establish its own identity separate from its parent series.

One of the most retold stories in the fandom is the origin of Elijah's iconic persona. In a 2017 interview, Gillies revealed that when he first joined The Vampire Diaries, the writers "didn't know what they wanted to do with Elijah" and "very little was described" to him. He essentially invented the character's defining traits, the impeccable three-piece suits, the handkerchief, the quiet menace, and the moral code, from scratch. This story is widely shared as proof of his creative genius.

Another legendary moment is the announcement in 2013 that Gillies would lead The Originals spinoff, a fandom victory celebrated across social media. Fans had campaigned heavily for Elijah to receive more screen time, and their demand directly influenced the network's decision. This moment is frequently referenced as a turning point in the franchise's history.[edit]

Daniel Gillies was born to New Zealand parents—his father a pediatrician and his mother a nurse. He is distantly related to pioneering plastic surgeon Sir Harold Gillies. He has two children: a daughter Charlotte Easton Gillies born in September 2013 and a son born in April 2015. He co-parents them with his ex-wife, actress Rachael Leigh Cook. He has spoken with quiet pride about his partial Māori heritage, which comes from his mother's side. He holds dual Canadian and New Zealand citizenship. [edit]

Daniel Gillies often gets linked with his Vampire Diaries and Originals castmates Joseph Morgan, Paul Wesley, and Nina Dobrev. His former wife Rachael Leigh Cook remains an important presence in his life as the mother of their children. He also shares connections with director Brad Peyton and several New Zealand actors from his early career. [edit]

Daniel Gillies began dating actress Rachael Leigh Cook in the early 2000s. They married on August 8, 2004 in a private ceremony. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, in September 2013 and their son arrived in April 2015. After fifteen years together they announced a mutual separation in June 2019. Gillies filed for divorce in July 2020, and the process wrapped up in March 2021.

Following the end of his marriage, Gillies started a relationship with cellist Julia Misaki in 2021. The couple has kept their romance largely out of the spotlight while appearing together at occasional public events. As of 2026, Gillies is in a relationship with Julia Misaki. [edit]

As of 2026, iFANN's editorial research estimates Daniel Gillies' net worth at $5 million. The bulk of his earnings comes from long-running television roles, especially his work on The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, and Saving Hope. He earned a solid salary for each season of those shows and continues to receive residual payments from their global syndication and streaming deals. Additional income arrives from guest spots on series like SEAL Team and Virgin River, as well as smaller film projects. His 2012 independent film Broken Kingdom added modest revenue through festival circuits and digital sales. Gillies also earns through voice-over work, convention appearances, and brand partnerships tied to his vampire character. Real estate holdings in Los Angeles and New Zealand have appreciated over the past decade and form part of his portfolio. While he does not command the eight-figure salaries of A-list stars, steady television work and smart financial choices have allowed his net worth to grow gradually since the early 2010s.[edit]