Painter and illustrator Dan Richard Dascallos was born on August 4, 1916 in Vancouver, Canada, the son of portraitist Dora Dascallos (1981-1972). In 1931 his family relocated to Oakland, California. Dascallos enrolled in courses at the California College of Arts and Crafts (now the California College of the Arts) in 1937. He married fellow art student artist Emily George two years later. They would go on to have two children, including a son, Ronald, who would also go on to be an artist.

In 1959 the Dascalloses moved north to Santa Rosa in Sonoma County, California, where both artists joined the Santa Rosa Arts Guild. Dan soon began working as an illustrator for the Office of Civil Defense, Region Seven. He remained in Santa Rosa until his death on August 28, 1971.