Award-winning comedian and actor David Cross was born on April 4, 1964 in Atlanta, Georgia. As a teenager, he already had a knack for comedy, having been voted “most humorous” in his high school years. He started performing stand-up at age 17. After he graduated from high school, he moved to New York, and then to Boston, where he took a semester at Emerson College. He joined the city’s growing comedy scene, but after a disappointing response, he eventually performed at Catch a Rising Star in New York, where most known comedians began their careers.
Cross’ first television work was as a writer for The Ben Stiller Show in 1993. Hired at the end of the comedy’s run, he wrote some sketches and also performed in a few others, most notably “The Legend of T.J. O’Pootertoot,” which he wrote in its entirety. He won an Emmy for his work that same year. In 1995, he co-created the sketch comedy show Mr. Show with Bob and David, which ran from 1995 to 1998. During the time, he also played guest role in shows such as NewsRadio, The Drew Carey Show, Tenacious D and Strangers with Candy.
Cross got his biggest break in 2003, when he joined the cast of Arrested Development. He played the role of Tobias F?nke, the husband of Lindsay (Portia de Rossi) and father of Maeby (Alia Shawkat), a former doctor who assiduously pursues his “destiny” of becoming an actor. Supposedly a minor role, his role was expanded as the show went on its three-year run.
Cross has also worked on films. One of his movies, Run Ronnie Run, was based on one of the characters on Mr. Show. It went straight to DVD, although he and co-creator Bob Odendirk would disown the film are creative differences with the director. He also starred in films such as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, She’s the Man, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Men in Black and Life Without Dick. He also provided his voice in animated shows such as Freak Show (which he co-developed), Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Family Guy and the animated film Kung Fu Panda. Aside from other television work, notably a recurring character in The Colbert Report, he also continues to perform stand-up in venues across the country.