From child star to academic: ‘Elf’ child star Daniel Tay has an unlikely new career
The child actor was the on-screen stepbrother of Will Ferrell but Tay has deviated from comedy acting in later life.
For many, ‘Elf’ is the definitive modern Christmas film and it is one of the most commercially successful films of the genre.
The Will Ferrell comedy grossed more than $220 million worldwide and has since become a seasonal classic, airing every Christmas and finding new generations of fans every year.
One of the stars of the movie was Daniel Tay, who played Michael Hobbs, Buddy’s stepbrother. Child star Tay was born on December 17 1991 in New York City and became a well-known name at the age of 11 for his role in Elf. However he career after that film was not the typical route for a child actor.
What did Daniel Tay do after Elf?
Before and after Elf, Tay appeared in several smaller projects. In 2003 he featured in American Splendor and later had minor roles in films such as Beer League and Brooklyn Rules. He also explored voice acting, lending his voice to the animated film Doogal and contributing to video games developed by Rockstar Games, including Bully and Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony.
As he grew older, Tay began to reconsider his future in the entertainment industry. By 2009, at around 17 years old, he decided to step away from acting and focus on his education, choosing a path far removed from Hollywood.
After leaving acting, Tay enrolled at Yale Universityand got a degree in Economics. During his time there, he worked as a teaching assistant and tutor, helping other students with their coursework. He later worked as a standardized test instructor, assisting young people in preparing for college entrance exams.
Tay eventually shifted toward the scientific and health fields. He joined research teams at Columbia University, where he participated in academic and clinical research projects that deepened his interest in medicine.
Today, Daniel Tay is studying Medicine at Cornell University, a career path that reflects a complete transformation from child actor to future physician. He is far removed from the spotlight that once defined his early life.
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