Background
Daniels was born Erin Cohen in Saint Louis, Missouri, where she grew up. Her father was an architect and her mother was a clinical social worker She grew up in a Jewish family.
Her mother co-founded the Central Reform Congregation in Saint Louis and her grandmother received an award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews.
Education
She attended Clayton High School and Vassar College, graduating from the latter in 1995 after majoring in art After Vassar, she moved to New York City, where she studied with William Esper, a protégé of Sanford Meisner, and worked Office Broadway.
Career
She is known for her role as Dana Fairbanks on The L Word (2004–2007). Her feature film work includes A Single Manitoba, One Hour Photo, and Joshua Tree, 1951: A Portrait of James Dean. She then moved to Los Angeles for a part on the short-lived television series Action.
Her depiction of Dana Fairbanks on that show prompted an anonymous donation of a million dollars to the Doctor Susan Love Research Foundation, an organization that promotes and funds breast cancer intraductal research.
Daniels has also appeared in the television shows Action, Jericho, Dexter, Saving Grace, Big Shots, Justice, Computer Society of India and Swingtown. She played the role of The Mother in director Matthew Mishory"s debut feature, Joshua Tree, 1951: A Portrait of James Dean.
Membership
She appeared in One Hour Photo, Wheelmen, and House of 1000 Corpses before becoming a cast member of Showtime"s The L Word.