Derek Theler

Derek Theler (born October 29, 1986) is an American actor, writer, producer and model. He is best known for portraying Danny on Baby Daddy (2012–2017).

Acting career Theler started his acting career in 2009, starring in several minor roles in TV series such as The Middle, Cougar Town, and The Hills.

In between acting gigs, Theler appeared as a model in TV commercials. He first landed a Coke Zero commercial in 2009. This was followed by a campaign for State Farm, in which he played a "hot guy" who was conjured up by three women. He has also participated in commercials for Nike, Kayak.com, Arby's, and Verizon.

Aside from acting, Theler was also the writer and executive producer of a short film called Intrusion.

In 2012, Theler landed his first major role when he was cast in the ABC Family comedy Baby Daddy, playing Danny Wheeler, the brother of the title character. Theler starred the same year as Riggins in the web series Project S.E.R.A.

In 2015, Theler starred as Chase Walker in the movie Shark Killer, which was released on June 16, 2015 via digital download. Theler played the role of shark killer who hunts down a black-finned shark that swallowed a valuable diamond during a gang transaction. He also starred as Jordan in the Christmas movie How Sarah Got Her Wings, which was released on digital HD and video on demand (VOD) on November 1, 2015. The Christmas movie premiered on Ion Television on December 6, 2015.

On November 19, 2015, Theler starred in the Funny or Die parody titled Chicago Sanitation. In 2016, Theler starred as Jake Kenman in the family movie Secret Summer, which was released on April 2, 2016 on PixL (On Demand and YouTube). He also played the role of Huntsman on the short Princess Rap Battle, released on YouTube on April 6, 2016.

In 2017, Theler starred as Chris in the short film Brotherly Love alongside Krista Kalmus. The same year, Theler was cast as Craig Hollis / Mister Immortal in the planned Marvel Cinematic Universe series New Warriors. The series notoriously lost its distributor before it could air proper and was ultimately cancelled. He guest starred in an episode of ABC comedy American Housewife as Dirk. In 2018, he played the role of Aric Dacia/X-O Manowar in the Valiant Entertainment's Ninjak vs. the Valiant Universe. He also guest starred as Conan in the YouTube series Wayne and as Thor a.k.a. Donar the Great in the Starz series American Gods. Theler guest starred in Hulu's web comedy series Dollface playing the role of Ryan, a man Jules has a fling with.

On September 24, 2019, Theler was cast as Sasquatch in the Paramount Network military series 68 Whiskey. In 2022, he guest starred as Billy McShane in an episode of Leverage: Redemption. In 2026, Theler starred as Iverson in the horror film Deadlocked: Dad of the Dead.

Personal life Theler was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 3.

Theler attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Theler started dating actress Lisa Marie Summerscales in May 2016. In July 2022, Theler announced on his Instagram that he and Summerscales had become engaged. They were married that September, his former Baby Daddy co-star Melissa Peterman officiated his wedding.

Theler is 6 ft 6.5 in (199 cm) tall.

Filmography Film

Television YearTitleRoleNotes 2007 The Hills Himself Guest star in episode "New Year, New Friends" 2009 Cougar Town Beach Guy Episode: "Two Gunslingers" (uncredited) The Middle Sound Guy Episode "The Scratch" (uncredited) 2009–2010 The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien Bike Cop / Loki Uncredited 2010 Vampire Zombie Werewolf Derekktor 2011 Conan All-star / Thor 90210 Shawn 2 episodes 2012 Project S.E.R.A. Riggins Web series 2012–2017 Baby Daddy Danny Wheeler Main cast 2017 American Housewife Dirk, The Pig Whisperer Episode: "The Pig Whisperer" 2018 Marvel's New Warriors Craig Hollis / Mister Immortal Unsold pilot 2019 Wayne Conan Episode: "Buckle The F**k Up" American Gods Donar the Great Episode: "Donar the Great" Dollface Ryan Episode: "F*** Buddy" 2020 68 Whiskey Sasquatch Main role 2022 Leverage: Redemption Billy McShane Episode: "The Turkish Prisoner Job" 2023 The Villains of Valley View Blue Granite 3 episodes The Naughty Nine Bruno TV movie

Web series YearTitleRoleNotes 2016 Princess Rap Battle Huntsman 2018 Ninjak vs. the Valiant Universe X-O Manowar

Music YearTitleRoleNotes 2009 Rihanna - Hard ft Jeezy Real Soldier #10 Actor/model

Awards and nominations