Jeff Daniels, celebrated for his distinguished acting career and nominations for Golden Globes, Primetime Emmy Awards, and Tony Awards, with iconic roles in films such as “Arachnophobia,” “Dumb and Dumber,” and “Speed,” also possesses considerable musical talent. This lesser-known aspect of his artistry was showcased during his appearance on “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”

Holding an acoustic guitar, Jeff Daniels introduced his original song, “When My Fingers Find Your Strings,” which he described as a love song to his guitar, inspired by moments on the porch with his “best friend, the guitar.” As he performed, Kelly Clarkson was visibly moved, asking the audience in astonishment, “What is happening?” By the end of the heartfelt performance, both Jeff and Kelly were in tears.

The studio audience and online viewers were equally enthralled. The video of his performance quickly garnered over 1.4 million views in less than ten days. Fans commended his musical prowess, with one commenting, “Jeff Daniels isn’t even known for music, yet that was one of the most heartfelt, poetic, and well-structured songs I’ve ever heard. Not to mention some pretty good guitar playing. That, folks, is talent!”

During the interview, Jeff revealed to Kelly that he has written around 450 original songs throughout his career. He explained that songwriting has been a source of solace and comfort, particularly during the early stages of his acting career, serving as a creative outlet he could completely control. It also provided a backup plan in case his acting career did not succeed. Reflecting on his dual talents, he humorously noted that he was prepared to “fail as an actor and then fail as a singer-songwriter.” Clearly, he has succeeded in both endeavors.

Watch the video below to experience Jeff Daniels’ moving performance.