Elf child star who portrayed Buddy's younger brother Michael is unrecognisable after stepping away from acting
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Fans are in shock after realising one of the main stars of Elf star looks completely unrecoginsable, 21 years after the beloved movie was released in cinemas. The festive classic is arguably one of the most popular Christmas movies of all time and with the festive season in full swing, many will be putting the 2003 film back on their screens this week.
![[After a successful run as a child star, Daniel stepped away from the profession to study premed at Columbia University]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/25/16/93478969-14226035-image-a-28_1735144837618.jpg)
The blockbuster, which stars Hollywood actor Will Ferrell, 57, as Buddy Hobbs, follows his crazy life as a human who was brought up by elves in the North Pole. His alter-ego decides to head to New York City in a mission to try and feel 'normal', so packs his bags and heads to the city - while dressed in his elf outfit - to find his biological dad.
![[When he does find his biological father Walter Hobbs (James Caan) he finds that he has a young son called Michael, portrayed by Daniel Tay]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/25/16/93478955-14226035-image-a-29_1735145202401.jpg)
When he does find his biological father Walter Hobbs (James Caan) he finds that he has a young son called Michael, portrayed by Daniel Tay. After Elf flung him into stardom, Michael went on to voice the title role in Doogal (2005) and also starred in Beer League (2006) and Brooklyn Rules (2007).
![[He went on to voice the title role in Doogal (2005) and also starred in Beer League (2006) and Brooklyn Rules (2007) (pictured in 2009)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/25/16/93478957-14226035-He_went_on_to_voice_the_title_role_in_Doogal_2005_and_also_starr-a-31_1735145242811.jpg)
Fans are in shock after realising one of the main stars of Elf star looks completely unrecoginsable, 21 years after the beloved movie was released in cinemas. After a successful run as a child star, Daniel stepped away from the profession to study premed at Columbia University.
![[The now 31-year-old went to Yale and got a BA in Economics. During this time he worked as a tutor at Versitas Prep (pictured left in the movie)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/25/16/93478941-14226035-image-a-32_1735145264776.jpg)
