Steven Daniel plays Lionel "El-Train" Johnson, Manhattan High's resident bully with a heart of gold. Currently in his sixth year at Manhattan High, "El Train" makes up for his lack of academic proficiency with a wealth of street wisdom and naive honesty but remains determined to finally earn his high school diploma.
A graduate of the famous Academy for Performing Arts in New York City, Daniel has wanted to be a performer since his first school play in the third grade, at age eight. While in New York, Daniel appeared in the off-Broadway versions of "St. Louis Woman," "Dream Girls" and "Gospel at Colonus." He later studied theater at Alabama State University and starred in "Purlie," "Bubbling Brown Sugar" and "The Wiz" among others. While at ASU, he was also named Best Actor at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.
Daniel's television credits include a recurring role on "In the Heat of the Night," and guest roles on "High Incident" and "The Jamie Foxx Show." He also appeared in the independent film "Graduation" and "The Other Sister," directed by Garry Marshall.
Away from the set, Daniel loves music and can play eight different instruments. He also collects vintage instruments and hopes one day to display them in a museum. For now, they are on display in the offices of the music company that he started, called Five By Seven Entertainment. Born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut, Daniel now lives in Los Angeles. His birthday is January 4.
