Biography

Born in Transylvania, Romania, Dan Istrate (pronounced EE-STRAH-The) has portrayed a myriad of roles, comedic and dramatic, and worked around the world. His theatrical credits include working with some of the best and brightest in both the US and European cinema. He is recognized for his flair and style and his personification of classic roles in theatre. Audiences are currency enjoying his work on the major streamers, Netflix and Amazon, including his recurring guest stars on Start Up, originally for Crackle Network, and his network credits include Quantum Leap, NBC, Great News, NBC, S.W.A.T. CBS and Dinner With The Alchemist, directed by Kevin Good. He displays versatility portraying Enzo, a lovable strip club owner, in the comedy series Sexpectations, created by Jenna St. John.

Dan Istrate co-produced and starred in the feature film, Her Tango, directed by Jason Mullis inspired by his own passion for Argentinian Tango. Dan has recently co-produced, co-directed, and starred in the art-house film Golani, a raw and heart-wrenching portrayal of life during Communism in the late 1980's in Romania. All three feature films are available on Amazon Prime.

He has also performed internationally in Bucharest (Romania), Tbilisi (Georgia), Izmir (Turkey), Bratislava (Slovakia), Paris (France) and Seoul (South Korea).

He graduated from the University of Theatre and Film in Bucharest, Romania. In his country he performed at the National Theatre in Bucharest, the Jewish Theatre, and Radu Stanca Theatre in Sibiu. He played the lead role in the Romanian feature film, Double Ecstasy, directed by Iulian Mihu before he moved to the United States.

In the United States, he has performed at the Shakespeare Theatre Company (DC), Arena Stage (DC), Studio Theatre (DC), Theatre J (DC), The Players Theater (NY), and has been a company member of Synetic Theatre (VA) for ten years.

As a dancer and musician he has collaborated with Sharna Fabiano Tango Company and baredances in Washington DC, and independent dance artists in Los Angeles.

Dan Istrate has been part of the Synetic Motion Pictures streaming platform from its inception in 2020. He directed and starred in the short film Leeks, Onions, and Pork Fat, as part of Synetic Theater's adaptation of the Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio. He starred in the award-winning Put The Devil Back in Hell by Francesca Jandasek, and Orpheia by Ben Cunis. As producer, director, and actor, Dan Istrate is working on a new mini-series for the Synetic Motion Pictures Streaming Platform. Dan is represented by More Zap Productions & Management and Park Artists Group.
- IMDb mini biography by: Francesca Jandasek