Dani Deetté, an MSU grad from Battle Creek, is probably on one of your favorite TV shows

Nick Buckley, Battle Creek Enquirer
·4 min read

Dani Deetté embraces her roots when appearing in films, network television and streaming platforms.

As evident by the 39 acting credits currently on her IMDB page, the Battle Creek native has a knack for portraying authority figures, particularly police officers.

Deetté in fact worked as a law enforcement officer until 2016, when she switched careers and began a journey that would lead her to be in a movie directed by Clint Eastwood, appear on network shows like "Bull" and "NCIS: New Orleans" and earn reoccurring roles on "The Falcon and Winter Solder," "The Sinner" and "Ozark."

Deetté, reached by phone while traveling from a recent shoot to her home in Atlanta, said that in order to break into show business, she needed to find her "path of least resistance."

"That path of least resistance for me was being who I am and setting myself up for roles that really mirror something easy for me to convey: authority, control and confidence," she said. "It was some crazy belief in myself, with the help of loved ones who I trust that believed in me and told me I could do anything I put my mind to."

Born and raised in Michigan

Actor Dani Deetté, a graduate of Harper Creek High School and Michigan State University, worked in law enforcement before pursuing a career in the television and film industry.
Actor Dani Deetté, a graduate of Harper Creek High School and Michigan State University, worked in law enforcement before pursuing a career in the television and film industry.

Deetté attended Harper Creek Community Schools, where she was active in sports and loved performing as a singer. She appeared in a couple of kids' ensemble community theater shows, but acting was not really on her radar as a career.

Instead, Deetté was interested in pursuing criminal justice. She was dual-enrolled at the Tech Center (now Calhoun Community Career Center) and Kellogg Community College, graduating from Harper Creek in 2002. After that, she attended the KCC police academy and trained with the Battle Creek Police Department before attending Michigan State University, graduating from the Honors College with a bachelors' degree in criminal justice.

After working in asset protection and corporate security for Target, Deetté spent two years with the Michigan Department of Human Services as a children's protective services investigator. She then transferred to the Michigan Department of Corrections and became a court liaison.

Deetté said at the time she was a big fan of the Showtime series, "Dexter," particularly the character Det. Debra Morgan.

"My favorite show; watched it all the time," Deetté said. "I feel like I could do that. It was innate knowing that I could do this. I don't know why."

From cop to actor

Dani Deetté as "Gigi" and Desmond Chiam as "Dovich" in a scene from the Disney+ series, "The Falcon and Winter Soldier."
Dani Deetté as "Gigi" and Desmond Chiam as "Dovich" in a scene from the Disney+ series, "The Falcon and Winter Soldier."

Deetté studied at the Michigan Actors Studio in Ferndale before a "major life event" precipitated her move to Atlanta, where she put away her badge and began stepping in front of the cameras.

By 2019, Deetté had racked up a steady stream of guest roles on television series and in short films. She was then cast in Eastwood's "Richard Jewell," a major motion picture that depicts the bombing at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and its aftermath.

"That was crazy that he was standing in front of me telling me what to do. He is fricking Clint Eastwood!" Deetté  said. "I had a couple lines on that movie, but I didn't care because there are so many people who will never get to work with Clint Eastwood. My parents are proud no matter what, but that was the first time it really hit my dad I was really doing this thing."

Deetté is probably best known for her reoccurring role on season three of the USA Network crime drama mystery series "The Sinner," starring Bill Pullman, and for being part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as one of the villains opposite stars Sebastian Stan and Anthony Mackie for all six episodes of the Disney+ series, "The Falcon and Winter Solider." On "Ozark," she initially played a police officer in season two, and later a sheriff in the fourth and final season of the Netflix crime drama.

"I've been very blessed that the things that I have booked are so notable in the world of television specifically," Deetté said.

What's next for Dani Deetté

Actor Dani Deetté poses with Captain America's shield during filming of the Disney+ series, "The Falcon and Winter Soldier."
Actor Dani Deetté poses with Captain America's shield during filming of the Disney+ series, "The Falcon and Winter Soldier."

Deetté is set to appear in at least three films this year. When she's not acting, she mentors other actors.

When she has time in her busy production schedule, Deetté said she tries to return to Battle Creek where her parents and a number of longtime friends live, and where she can grab a vegetarian slice from her favorite pizzeria, Pennfield Pizza.

"I do hope that my journey in some way does show people that it doesn't matter when you decide to do something in your life, you can always change your mind," Deetté said.

"If you are feeling called to something, it's for a reason. With the right determination, but also mental strategy, you can really truly achieve anything you want to achieve. Don't be afraid of your heart's calling."

Contact reporter Nick Buckley at nbuckley@battlecreekenquirer.com or 269-966-0652. Follow him on Twitter:@NickJBuckley

This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Dani Deetté, from Battle Creek, is probably on your favorite TV show