Biography
Producer John Daly was behind many big and medium-budget independent films of the '80s and '90s and was known as a risk-taker in a traditionally conservative Hollywood. Though considered a maverick by many moguls because he would back films that the big studios wouldn't touch, Daly was a savvy businessman with a sharp eye for moneymakers. He was born in London in 1936, the son of a cockney dockworker. Daly got his start working as a teaboy and later as a waiter in the Merchant Navy and as an insurance salesman. He met David Hemmings in 1996 and the two founded the Hemdale Company, a talent agency and this led him to become a film producer. He purchased Hemmings' share in 1971 and used it to form his own production company, Hemdale Group Ltd. He then moved the operation to the U.S. and began making low-budget films until the mid-'80s when he produced two blockbusters,
Terminator (1984) and
Platoon (1986). ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide