Daniel Francis

Every year at Christmas my mum would get my family a Disney movie on VHS. We didn't have a lot of money but sitting down, watching them together, memorising the words and singing the songs, were priceless and magical moments that I still cherish. What an honour to have now played a Disney "villain", I hope you had a chance to sit down with loved ones to watch.

—Daniel Francis ^src

Daniel Francis is the British actor who portrays Dr. Facilier and Mr. Samdi on ABC's Once Upon a Time.

Biography

Francis was born and raised by his mother in Battersea, London, England. He went on to train at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA), and upon graduation, went straight to the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) to work alongside many actors, including John Lithgow.

After completing his debut season at the RSC, Francis embarked on a stage career playing leading roles in The Brothers Size at the Young Vic, Off The Endz at the Royal Court theatre, The Hounding of David Oluwale at the Hackney Empire or Othello at the Singapore Rep Theatre. He also played the role of Martin Luther King Jr. in Katori Hall's The Mountaintop.

Eventually, Francis found solace on stage while attending the Pyramid Young Initiative in Clapham, London. At 17, he was given an introduction to an early mentor, theatre director Sacha Wares, and was subsequently cast in her production of Bintou at the Arcola Theatre.

Francis is also a television actor, as he appeared on many TV shows including EastEnders, Homefront or Law & Order: UK.

Since June 2007, Francis also works as a personal development coach. Starting his first marketing company at age 21, it took him years to develop himself into becoming an expert of communication and personal development. He worked together with multiple business leaders and CEOs of multinational corporations. Since his introduction to the personal development industry, Francis has built a proven track record of improving and increasing the efficiency of team dynamics through effective communication.^[1]

Appearances

Once Upon a Time: Season Seven
"Hyperion Heights":	"A Pirate's Life":	"The Garden of Forking Paths":	"Beauty":	"Greenbacks":	"Wake Up Call":	"Eloise Gardener":	"Pretty in Blue":	"One Little Tear":	"The Eighth Witch":	"Secret Garden":
Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Appears	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent	Absent
"A Taste of the Heights":	"Knightfall":	"The Girl in the Tower":	"Sisterhood":	"Breadcrumbs":	"Chosen":	"The Guardian":	"Flower Child":	"Is This Henry Mills?":	"Homecoming":	"Leaving Storybrooke":
Appears	Absent	Appears	Appears	Absent	Appears	Appears	Appears	Appears	Absent	Absent