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Daniel Jason Heffner graduated from Ithaca College Park School of Communications in 1978 with a Bachelor of Science in Communications. After graduation, he worked as a Stage Manager and Production Assistant on the Academy Award-winning film "Kramer vs. Kramer," and then as a Research Assistant to Milos Forman on "Ragtime."
In January 1980, Heffner moved to Los Angeles and joined the Directors Guild of America as a Second Assistant Director. He worked in this role on films such as "Personal Best," the Academy Award-winning "An Officer and a Gentleman," "Richard Pryor Live on the Sunset Strip," and the critically acclaimed "The Big Chill." In 1982, he joined Columbia Pictures as a Production Manager and First Assistant Director on various projects.
Heffner began his executive career in August 1985 when he was appointed the first Production Executive for the newly restructured film division at Walt Disney Studios. He played a key role in rebuilding the studio's feature production division and served on the New Technologies and Facilities Expansion committees. As Production Executive, he oversaw productions including:
- "The Color of Money," directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Paul Newman and Tom Cruise, filmed in Chicago
- "Tough Guys," the final collaboration of Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster
- "Adventures in Babysitting," Chris Columbus's directorial debut, starring Elizabeth Shue, filmed in Toronto and Chicago
- "Three Men and a Baby," directed by Leonard Nimoy, starring Tom Selleck, Ted Danson, and Steve Guttenberg, filmed in Toronto and New York City
While at Disney, Heffner also line produced "Cocktail," directed by Roger Donaldson, starring Tom Cruise, Elizabeth Shue, and Bryan Brown, filmed in New York City, Jamaica, and Toronto. Additionally, he line produced and served as First Assistant Director on "The Good Mother," directed by Leonard Nimoy, starring Diane Keaton and Liam Neeson, filmed in Toronto and Boston.
In 1988, Heffner was promoted to Vice President of Production at Buena Vista Pictures Distribution, a Walt Disney Company division, where he established and managed the Buena Vista Pictures Production Division. The department grew from 5 employees in 1988 to over 35 by 1991. During this time, he oversaw production of more than 25 films, including the successful "Ernest" series, as well as "Mr. Destiny" directed by James Orr starring Jim Belushi; "Deceived," directed by Damian Harris starring Goldie Hawn; "The Hand That Rocks The Cradle," directed by Curtis Hanson, starring Rebecca De Mornay and Annabella Sciorra; and other titles such as "Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken," "White Fang," "Where The Heart Is," "Spaced Invaders," "Shipwrecked," "Paradise," "The Incredible Journey," "Greencard," and "Betsy's Wedding."
Heffner left The Walt Disney Company in November 1991 to pursue an independent producing career.
Since then, he has held roles including Co-Executive Producer and Production Manager on "Holy Matrimony," directed by Leonard Nimoy and starring Patricia Arquette, filmed in Great Falls, Montana; Co-Producer and First Assistant Director on Fred Dryer's "Highway 395," filmed in Lone Pine, California; First Assistant Director on "Winter Break," filmed in Aspen, Colorado; First Assistant Director on ACI/American Cinema, Inc.'s "Killer Buzz," filmed entirely in Brazil; Co-Producer on Walt Disney Pictures' "George of the Jungle 2," filmed in Queensland, Australia; Producer on Fox Television Studios' MOW/Pilot "Anonymous Rex" for the Sci-Fi Channel; Line Producer on "Checking Out" for Full Circle Productions; Co-Producer on "P2" for Summit Entertainment; Producer on Twisted Pictures/Lionsgate's "REPO! The Genetic Opera"; and Executive Producer on "Make Your Move," "Knights of Badassdom," "The Pin," and "Grace Unplugged."
More recently, he has served as Executive Producer for Netflix on "End of the Road," "Trigger Warning," and "Rebel Ridge."
Heffner is also Executive Producer on the "SAW" franchise, which has grossed over $1 billion worldwide. His involvement spans the original film and its sequels: "SAW II," "SAW III," "SAW IV," "SAW V," "SAW VI," "SAW 3D," "Jigsaw," "Spiral: From the Book of SAW," and "SAW X."
He currently serves as President of Production for Twisted Pictures and is developing projects for Serendipity Productions, Inc., including producing "The Prince Test," "The Insurrectionist," and "The Iron Will of Shoeshine Cats."
Heffner is COVID-19 certified and fully vaccinated.
