How Lee Daniels Drew on His Own Life to Shape Empire, TV's Surprise Hit

Just as fictional hip-hop artist Jamal Lyon was beaten as a child by his homophobic father, so, too, was Daniels, who serves as Empire's executive producer, writer and sometimes director. (Unlike Lucious Lyon, Empire's father figure and head of a powerful music company—portrayed with steely-eyed grit by actor Terrence Howard—Daniels' father was a Philadelphia cop.)

Daniels' work has won fans and awards.