Burn in New York City, Dan Dailey started his career in vaudeville, later making his Broadway debut in the stage version of "Babes in Arms".

When signed to MGM, the studio initially casted him as a Nazi in The Mortal Storm (1940). The studio realized their mistake and cast him in musical films thereafter. Then, after serving in World War II, Dailey later returned to acting to make more musicals.
His only child, Dan Dailey III, committed suicide in 1975 Brother of actress Irene Dailey Interred at Forest Lawn (Glendale), Glendale, California, USA, in the Court of Freedom, lot #7065. Was the original choice for the Waco Kid in "Blazing Saddles," but had to back out.