Dana Wasdin: Biography, Career, Family, Movies and Life

Dana Wasdin is an American film professional whose career has largely developed behind the scenes in Hollywood. Born Dana Renee Wasdin, she now uses the name Dana Renee Ashmore professionally. Her work spans the film industry and television, with credits as an assistant director and producer. She has also worked as a film executive in Los Angeles. Dana entered motion picture production long before her marriage brought wider public attention. Her career includes Frozen in 2010 and work connected with Darkwoods Productions. She is married to Shawn Ashmore, while her personal life also centers on their family. Her professional path reflects years of behind-the-scenes work built around production and storytelling.

Who Is Dana Wasdin?

Dana Wasdin was born on May 1, 1983, in Dublin, Georgia, USA. She is 43 years old in 2026. Her birth name is Dana Renee Wasdin, while Dana Renee Ashmore is her married and professional name.

Her career covers assistant director work, producing, and film executive responsibilities. She has worked on projects such as Sweet Home Alabama in 2002 and Frozen in 2010. Her later television work includes Mob City in 2013, while Tales of Halloween followed in 2015.

Dana is also associated with Darkwoods Productions in Los Angeles. Her public professional profile identifies her as a Senior Vice President, while Backstage lists her as a VP/Producer. She uses @danarashmore on Instagram. IMDb lists her height as 5 feet 2 inches, or 157 cm. Public appearances have also shown her with blonde hair and blue eyes.

Early Life and Education

Dana Renee Wasdin grew up in Georgia after being born in Dublin. She attended Chamblee High School and graduated in 2002. Her secondary education came before studies at Kennesaw State University, where IMDb records her graduation in 2006.

Georgia Tech has also been linked to her education reportedly. Her documented university path, however, centers on Kennesaw State University. Her eventual entertainment industry career moved toward visual arts, storytelling, production leadership, and film directing work rather than an on-camera path.

That work later took her to Los Angeles and into the wider Hollywood production system.

Dana Wasdin’s Career in Film and Television

Dana’s career shows a clear move from entry-level film production into assistant director work and later executive television production. Her credits cover both feature films and scripted television.

Career Beginnings and Assistant Director Work

One of Dana’s earliest documented jobs was as a production assistant on Sweet Home Alabama in 2002. A production assistant supports the many practical tasks needed to keep a film crew and shooting day moving.

Her later credits include The Joneses in 2009 and Get Low in 2009. These productions added experience with larger production companies and professional film schedules. Working behind the scenes also meant dealing with production management, assistant roles, and complex timetables.

A major credit came with Adam Green’s psychological thriller Frozen in 2010. Green identified Dana as the film’s 2nd 2nd AD, while Shawn Ashmore played Joe.

A 2nd 2nd AD normally helps the assistant director department manage cast movement, background performers, set communication, and daily logistics. It is a practical leadership job on a high-pressure set, not simply an administrative title.

Producer and Executive Career

Dana later moved into producer and executive responsibilities. Her most visible television credit came through Mob City in 2013.

The Frank Darabont series listed Dana Renee Ashmore among its producing team. Production records identify her as a co-executive producer, while individual episode credits also list executive producer work.

Those responsibilities placed her in television development and production leadership rather than day-to-day assistant directing. Her later career also connects with Darkwoods Productions, where she has held executive roles involving scripted television and film development.

Dana Wasdin’s Movies and TV Credits

Dana’s filmography includes work in several different production departments. Her credits should not all be treated as the same kind of job.

Year	Project	Documented work
2002	Sweet Home Alabama	Production assistant
2004	Room Raiders	Television credit
2009	Van Wilder: Freshman Year	Production credit
2009	My Fake Fiancé	Television movie credit
2009	Get Low	Production credit
2009	The Joneses	Production credit
2010	Frozen	Second assistant director / 2nd 2nd AD
2013	Mob City	Co-executive producer / executive producer
2015	Tales of Halloween	Actor, Coroner #1 in “Bad Seed”

Her credits connect her with filmmakers including Adam Green and Derrick Borte. Other projects link her professional record with Aaron Schneider, Harvey Glazer, and Gil Junger.

Tales of Halloween also gives Dana a documented acting credit as Coroner #1. That horror anthology role is different from her better-known assistant director, producer, and production credits.

Darkwoods Productions and Dana Wasdin’s Current Professional Work

Darkwoods Productions is a Los Angeles production company working in scripted TV and film. Frank Darabont is listed as its principal, director, writer, and producer. Backstage identifies Dana Renee Ashmore as VP/Producer.

Her current public profile uses the title SVP at Darkwoods Productions. It also describes her as a producer and connects her with Mob City.

This places her current professional work closer to creative development and production leadership than her earlier assistant director jobs. Film development and television development can involve evaluating projects, developing material, coordinating creative teams, and guiding productions through their early stages.

The Gratitude Collaborative and Philanthropic Work

Dana founded Gratitude Collaborative in 2014 as a company designed to connect creative products with charitable giving. Its early POP 2 ACTION project featured work from more than 50 international artists and directed part of sales proceeds toward Grateful Arts.

The project later developed into a gifting business. In 2018, Dana described Gratitude Collaborative as offering corporate gifts and curated seasonal boxes while helping provide meals to hungry children in the United States.

Its documented focus combines gratitude, community work, local creatives, volunteer-minded giving, and social good. The project also gave Dana a route into philanthropic ventures outside Hollywood production. It is better described through its charitable business model than as a mental wellness or self-care nonprofit.

Her 2026 Threads profile still identifies her as the founder of Gratitude Collaborative.

Dana Wasdin and Shawn Ashmore’s Relationship

Dana’s relationship with Canadian actor Shawn Ashmore began through their work in the film industry. Their personal timeline starts with a shared production in 2010.

How Dana Wasdin and Shawn Ashmore Met

Dana met Shawn Ashmore while working on Frozen in 2010. She worked behind the camera as the film’s 2nd 2nd AD, while Shawn played Joe. Director Adam Green later confirmed that production connection.

The psychological thriller therefore became both a professional credit for Dana and the starting point of their relationship. PEOPLE also identifies Frozen as the film set where the pair first met.

Engagement and Wedding

Shawn Ashmore proposed in 2011, and the couple became engaged in October of that year. They married on July 27, 2012, in Los Angeles, California.

Their wedding took place at SmogShoppe on La Cienega Boulevard. The ceremony was attended by family and close friends. PEOPLE reported that Dana was then an executive with Darkwoods Productions.

Wedding coverage showed Dana in a strapless white dress with a bouquet, while Shawn wore a tux. The X-Men actor was widely known for playing Bobby Drake, also called Iceman. The couple shared their happiness afterward through Twitter, while wedding images also circulated through entertainment media and Instagram.

Family Life and Son Oliver Ashmore

Dana and Shawn have one child, a son named Oliver Ashmore. Oliver was born on July 16, 2017, five years after their wedding.

Their family life remains relatively low-key compared with Shawn’s acting career. The parents occasionally share moments involving Oliver, including fishing trips, birthdays, and holidays.

By 2026, Dana and Shawn remain married and continue raising their son together.

Dana Wasdin vs. Dana Renee Ashmore: Name and Identity

Dana Wasdin and Dana Renee Ashmore are the same person. Her full birth name is Dana Renee Wasdin, while Ashmore became her married name after her 2012 marriage.

Older film credits commonly use Dana Wasdin. Later production credits and professional profiles often use Dana Renee Ashmore or Dana Ashmore.

IMDb currently lists her as Dana Renee Ashmore and connects the alternative name Dana Wasdin to the same production record. This explains why searches for her film credits can appear under more than one professional name.

Common Career Misconceptions and Conflicting Information

Dana’s public profile combines assistant directing, producing, executive work, and a small acting credit. Keeping those roles separate gives a clearer picture of her career.

Is Dana Wasdin an Actress or a Behind-the-Camera Filmmaker?

Dana is primarily known for behind-the-camera filmmaking and production. Her work includes assistant director duties on Frozen and producer responsibilities on Mob City.

She does, however, have a documented actor credit. In Tales of Halloween in 2015, Dana played Coroner #1 in the “Bad Seed” segment.

Metacritic also separates that acting appearance from her assistant director work. Calling her only an actress would therefore leave out the much larger production side of her professional career.

Conflicting Dates and Unverified Biography Claims

Dana was born on May 1, 1983, making her 43 in 2026. Her education includes Chamblee High School, where she graduated in 2002. IMDb also records Kennesaw State University and a 2006 graduation.

Georgia Tech is reportedly connected with her education history. Her engagement to Shawn took place in October 2011, while the wedding followed on July 27, 2012.

Oliver Ashmore was born on July 16, 2017.

IMDb lists Dana at 5 feet 2 inches, or 157 cm. Religion and ethnicity are not necessary for understanding her professional biography and should not be treated as core career facts.

Public Appearances and Media Presence

Dana keeps a lower media profile than her husband, but she has joined him at film premieres, industry events, and charity gatherings.

Red Carpet and Hollywood Events

Dana attended the X-Men: Days of Future Past world premiere in New York on May 10, 2014. Shawn appeared in the X-Men movie franchise as Bobby Drake, better known as Iceman.

The couple also attended Entertainment Weekly’s Comic-Con celebration at the Hard Rock Hotel during San Diego Comic-Con. Dana later appeared at a New York Comic Con home-entertainment event connected with the film’s Blu-Ray release.

They attended The Game Awards in Los Angeles on December 3, 2015. Dana also joined Shawn for the X-Men: Dark Phoenix premiere at TCL Chinese Theatre on June 4, 2019.

Her public event history also includes Hollywood screenings such as Devil’s Gate, which was directed by Clay Staub rather than Joe Lynch. These appearances are mainly tied to film premieres, date-night events, and Shawn’s screen work rather than a separate celebrity publicity campaign.

Social Media and Public Profile

Dana uses Instagram under @danarashmore and maintains a public digital footprint centered on work and family. Her posts have included husband Shawn Ashmore and son Oliver Ashmore.

Her online presence also connects with Gratitude Collaborative. Topics around gratitude, health, wellness, and community giving have appeared through that business rather than standard Hollywood self-promotion.

Her 2026 Threads profile identifies her as a producer, wife, mother, Darkwoods executive, and founder of Gratitude Collaborative.

Recent Updates About Dana Wasdin

Dana remains publicly connected with Shawn Ashmore and their son Oliver in 2026. PEOPLE confirmed their marriage while covering Shawn’s role as Wesley Evers on The Rookie.

In October 2024, Dana celebrated Shawn’s 45th birthday on Instagram. The family also appeared at LA Loves Alex’s Lemonade in Los Angeles, continuing Dana’s occasional involvement in charitable public events.

On July 16, 2025, Dana and Shawn issued a public statement honoring their friend Mei Li Haskell. Dana spoke about their late family friend after developments in the criminal case surrounding her death.

Her professional profile in 2026 still connects her with Darkwoods Productions and describes her as an SVP and producer.

Dana Wasdin’s Net Worth: What Is Actually Known?

Dana Wasdin does not have a verified public net worth figure. The frequently repeated $1 to $3 million estimate should not be presented as a confirmed measure of her personal finances.

Her documented income-producing work includes the film industry and television. She has worked as an assistant director, producer, and executive at Darkwoods Productions. Gratitude Collaborative also represents one of her business ventures.

Public information does not establish enough detail about real estate, investments, or other assets to calculate her financial security. Shawn Ashmore’s finances are separate and should not be used as Dana’s net worth.

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Conclusion

Dana Wasdin, now professionally known as Dana Renee Ashmore, built a career through behind-the-scenes filmmaking before moving into producer and executive work. Her credits range from Sweet Home Alabama to Frozen and Mob City. She remains connected with Darkwoods Productions while also developing Gratitude Collaborative. Her marriage to Shawn Ashmore began after their work together in 2010. Today, their family includes son Oliver Ashmore, while Dana continues to maintain a professional identity rooted in film production and television rather than celebrity alone.

FAQs

Who is Dana Wasdin?

Dana Wasdin, also known as Dana Renee Ashmore, is an American assistant director, producer, film executive, and Darkwoods Productions professional born in Dublin, Georgia.

How old is Dana Wasdin?

Dana Wasdin was born on May 1, 1983, in Dublin, Georgia, United States, and she is 43 years old in 2026.

When did Shawn Ashmore and Dana Wasdin get married?

Shawn Ashmore and Dana Wasdin married on July 27, 2012, at SmogShoppe in Los Angeles, California.

What movies has Dana Wasdin produced?

Dana Wasdin has producer credits connected mainly with television, including Mob City in 2013, where she served as a co-executive or executive producer.

How did Shawn Ashmore meet his wife?

Shawn Ashmore met Dana Wasdin in 2010 on the Frozen film set, where he played Joe and she worked as the 2nd 2nd AD.

Does Dana Wasdin act in movies?

Dana Wasdin mainly works behind the scenes, but she has an actor credit as Coroner #1 in the 2015 horror anthology Tales of Halloween.

How many children do Dana Wasdin and Shawn Ashmore have?

Dana Wasdin and Shawn Ashmore have one child, their son Oliver Ashmore, who was born on July 16, 2017.

Where is Dana Wasdin from?

Dana Wasdin was born in Dublin, Georgia, and later attended Chamblee High School and Kennesaw State University before building her Hollywood career in Los Angeles.