David Hyde Pierce
Born: 1959-04-03 in Saratoga Springs, New York, USA
Known For: Acting
Biography
David Hyde Pierce is an American actor, director, and producer best known for his portrayal of psychiatrist Dr. Niles Crane on the NBC sitcom Frasier from 1993 to 2004. For his role on Frasier, Pierce won four Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, making him the only performer to have won four consecutive Emmys in that category. He also received a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Lieutenant Frank Cioffi in the Broadway musical Curtains (2007). Pierce was born David Pierce on April 3, 1959, in Saratoga Springs, New York. He is the youngest of four children. His father, James Joseph Pierce, was a salesman, and his mother, Laura Marie Hughes, was a homemaker. Pierce attended Saratoga Springs High School, where he was a member of the drama club. After graduating from high school, Pierce attended Yale School of Drama, where he received a Master of Fine Arts degree in 1984. Pierce began his acting career in the theater. He appeared in a number of off-Broadway productions, including The Threepenny Opera, The Playboys, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. In 1989, he made his Broadway debut in the play The Heidi Chronicles. Pierce's breakthrough role came in 1993, when he was cast as Dr. Niles Crane on the NBC sitcom Frasier. The show was a spin-off of the popular sitcom Cheers, and it starred Kelsey Grammer as Frasier Crane, a psychiatrist who moves to Seattle to join his brother Niles, also a psychiatrist, in practice. Pierce's portrayal of Niles Crane was both hilarious and nuanced, and he quickly became a fan favorite. For his work on the show, Pierce won four Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, making him the only performer to have won four consecutive Emmys in that category. After Frasier ended its run in 2004, Pierce continued to work in television and film. He has starred in a number of television series, including The Good Wife, The Good Fight, and Veep. He has also appeared in a number of films, including Wet Hot American Summer, Down with Love, and A Bug's Life. In addition to his acting work, Pierce is also a director and producer. He has directed episodes of the television series Frasier, The Good Wife, and Veep. He has also produced a number of television projects, including The Good Fight and The Undoing. Pierce is married to Brian Hargrove, a film producer. They have been together since 2002 and were married in 2008.
Filmography
2025
- This Ordinary Thing as Voice
2024
- The Exorcism as Father Conor
- Visiting Birdie ... (Executive Producer)
2022
- Julia as Paul Child
2020
- Stars in the House as Self
- Sky Blossom ... (Executive Producer)
2019
- The Lavender Scare as Dr. Franklin E. Kameny (voice)
2017
- Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later as Henry Neumann
- When We Rise as Dr. Jones
- Julie's Greenroom
2016
2015
- Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp as Henry Neumann
- Hurricane of Fun: The Making of Wet Hot as Self
2014
- Late Night with Seth Meyers as Self
2012
- Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike as Vanya
2010
- The Perfect Host as Warwick Wilson
- Sondheim! The Birthday Concert as Self - Host
2009
- The Good Wife as Frank Prady
- Stingray Sam as Narrator
- Forever Plaid as The Narrator
2008
- Monty Python Conquers America as Self
2007
- The Graham Norton Show as Self
2006
- The Megan Mullally Show as Self - Guest
- The Amazing Screw-On Head as Emperor Zombie (voice)
- World's Greatest Stand Up: Volume One as self
2005
- Celebrity Mix as Self (archive footage)
2004
- The Tony Danza Show as Self
- Hellboy as Abe Sapien (voice) (uncredited)
- The Celebrity Apprentice as Self
- Frasier: Analyzing the Laughter as Niles Crane
2003
- Down with Love as Peter MacMannus
- Gary the Rat
- The Shakespeare Sessions
2002
- Treasure Planet as Doctor Doppler (voice)
- Full Frontal as Carl
- Laud Weiner as Laud Weiner
2001
- Osmosis Jones as Drix (voice)
- Chain of Fools as Mr. Kerner
- Wet Hot American Summer as Henry
- On the Edge as Barney (segment "Happy Birthday")
2000
- Titus as Jerry October
- The Tangerine Bear: Home in Time for Christmas! as Bird (voice)
- Isn't She Great as Michael Hastings
1999
- The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn as Self - Guest
- Jackie's Back! as Perry (The Deaf Rehearsal Pianist)
- The Frasier Story as Self
- The Mating Habits of the Earthbound Human as The Narrator
1998
- Hercules as Daedalus
- A Bug's Life as Slim (voice)
1997
- The View as Self
1996
- Mighty Ducks: The Animated Series as Baron Von Lichtenstamp (voice)
- Star Trek: 30 Years and Beyond as Niles Crane
1995
- The Outer Limits as Dr. Jack Henson
- Caroline in the City as Dr. Niles Crane
- Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child as Puss (voice)
- Nixon as John Dean
- The Adventures of Hyperman
- The World of James Bond as Self
1994
- Wolf as Roy McCallister
1993
- Frasier as Niles Crane
- Late Night with Conan O'Brien as Self - Guest
- GMTV as Self
- Addams Family Values as Delivery Room Doctor
- Sleepless in Seattle as Dennis Reed
1992
- The Tonight Show with Jay Leno as Self
- The Powers That Be as Theodore Van Horne
- Storytime
1991
- The Fisher King as Lou Rosen
- Little Man Tate as Garth Emmerick
1990
- Dream On as Jerry Dorfer
1989
- The Simpsons as Cecil Terwilliger (voice)
- Vampire's Kiss as Theater Guy
1988
- LIVE with Kelly and Mark
- Rocket Gibraltar as Monsieur Henri
- Crossing Delancey as Mark
- Bright Lights, Big City as Bartender at Fashion Show
- The Appointments of Dennis Jennings as Businessman
- Knightwatch as Gibson
1985
- Spenser: For Hire as O'Neill
- Moving Violations as Immigration Officer
1975
- Saturday Night Live as Self - Host
1956
- Tony Awards as Self - Presenter
1952
- Today as Self
1949
- The Emmy Awards as Self
1944
- Golden Globe Awards as Self - Nominee