Dan Wakeford

Dan Wakeford (born March 3, 1975) is a distinguished English journalist, writer, producer, director, and television personality. He held the esteemed position of editor-in-chief at People Magazine and served as editorial director of Entertainment Weekly from 2019 to 2022.

Hailing from England, Wakeford earned his B.A. in American Studies from Leicester University in 1996. His journalism career began at News UK, where he quickly advanced to become the News Editor for Heat magazine. In 2002, he relocated to the United States, joining In Touch Weekly and Life & Style Weekly, where he ultimately ascended to the role of editor-in-chief for both publications. His insights and commentary have frequently been featured in numerous other media outlets.

In 2015, he took on the role of deputy editor at People magazine, and by 2019, he was elevated to editor-in-chief. During his leadership, he expanded the brand into podcasts, video content, and various social media platforms, increasing the digital reach to 76 million unique visitors and the overall brand engagement to 88 million consumers monthly. He also launched the magazine’s inaugural LGBTQ+ Pride issue.

As a creator and executive producer, Wakeford brought to life the crime documentary series People Magazine Investigates for ID and Discovery+, as well as two notable four-hour documentaries about the royals for ABC: The Story Of Diana and The Story Of The Royals. His production credits include People (The TV Show!) (2020), People Magazine Investigates: Crimes of Fashion (2018), and The Road Home for Christmas (2019).

A familiar face on television, Wakeford has appeared on various programs such as Dateline, the Today Show, Good Morning America, The Kelly Clarkson Show, The Drew Barrymore Show, and CNN. Under his guidance, People Magazine received several accolades, including the 2021 Folio Eddie and Ozzie Award for Best Consumer Lifestyle Magazine Issue, the 202