David Schwimmer

November 2, 2024

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

Globally recognized sitcom star David Schwimmer, born November 2, 1966, is one of the six cast members of the hit 1990s series “Friends.” We’ll help you celebrate his special day right here!

Fast Facts

Full Name:

David Lawrence Schwimmer

Nickname:

Snaro

Birth date:

November 2, 1966

Age:

Zodiac Sign:

Scorpio

Height:

6' 0"

Relationship Status:

Single

Net Worth:

$100 million

Background

David Schwimmer will always be there for his fans — this Friend is a friend indeed.

Born as David Lawrence Schwimmer on November 2, 1966, in Flushing, Queens, the actor is the son of Arthur Schwimmer and Arlene Coleman-Schwimmer. His parents were attorneys. His zodiac sign is Scorpio, and he is Jewish. He was raised in Los Angeles.

Schwimmer’s interest in acting was sparked when he played the fairy godmother in “Cinderella” at age 10. He took a workshop taught by the impressive Ian McKellan when he was 13. With an initial interest in studying medicine, Schwimmer was encouraged by his high school drama teacher to pursue a career in acting. He graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in theater and speech in 1988. From 1989 to 1993, Schwimmer starred in “N.Y.P.D. Blue,” “Monty,” and “Flight of the Intruder.” His breakthrough was as Ross Geller on the television phenomenon “Friends,” a role specifically created for him in 1994.

As one of the six ensemble cast, Schwimmer became a global superstar, beloved worldwide and drawing crowds that rivaled those The Beatles drew at the height of their fame. The show ran until 2004, and a reunion special debuted on H.B.O. Max in 2021. Schwimmer was bitten by the directing bug, having directed 10 episodes of “Friends” and would go on to helm projects including “Run Fatboy Run” and “Trust.”

As a feature film actor, the star has appeared in movies such as “Madagascar,” “Big Nothing” and “Nothing But The Truth.” He is a trained theater actor who has appeared in the Broadway show “The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial” and the London show “Some Girl(s).” His return to television has included a Primetime Emmy Award-nominated role in “American Crime Story: The People vs. O.J.Simpson” and the lead role in the British series “Intelligence.”
Schwimmer is a divorced father of one daughter.

Career timeline

1989

He Breaks into Acting

Schwimmer’s first role is a supporting one in “A Deadly Silence,” a television movie.

1994

His Big Break on Friends

Schwimmer is cast in his career-defining role of Ross Geller on the hit sitcom “Friends.”

2005

He Lends His Voice on “Madagascar”

Schwimmer voices the hypochondriac giraffe in one of 2005’s biggest blockbuster films, “Madagascar,” alongside Ben Stiller.

2006

He Makes His Broadway Debut

Taking to the stage in the Big Apple, Schwimmer wows critics and audiences alike in “The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial.”

2007

His First Directorial Feature Film

Stepping behind the camera, Schwimmer directs the dramedy “Run Fatboy Run,” starring Simon Pegg.

2016

He Plays the Kardashian Patriarch on T.V.

Schwimmer plays Robert Kardashian Sr, lawyer of O.J. Simpson and father of the famous Kardashian clan in Ryan Murphy’s true crime series “American Crime Story.”

2020

The Lead of a Hit T.V. Show

Once again stepping into a lead role, Schwimmer is cast as the main character in the British series “Intelligence.”

Why We Love David Schwimmer

He is an activist
Schwimmer has served on the board of directors for the Rape Treatment Centre since 2001. He believes in using his celebrity status to fight the war on date rape drugs.
He fights back
Whether suing Aaron Tonken, a famous fundraiser, for defamation or taking on a British talk show for false allegations about him and his co-stars, Schwimmer fights back against bullies. We love a fighter.
He’s iconic
Schwimmer will always be remembered and loved for his iconic acting abilities. More specifically, who didn’t love his character in “Friends?”

5 Surprising Facts

He wanted to be a doctor
Being initially more interested in saving people’s lives than making them laugh, we have Schwimmer’s drama teacher to thank for nurturing his burgeoning acting talent instead.
The first actor cast for Friends
“Friends” series creator Kevin S. Bright wrote the character of Ross with Schwimmer in mind, having worked with him before, and thus, he was the first actor cast.
He turned down “Men in Black”
No one can imagine anyone else playing the iconic Agent J role now, but Schwimmer was up against Will Smith for the part until he turned it down.
He was his mom’s birthday gift
Schwimmer was born on his mom’s birthday.
Ian McKellen taught him
When he was 13 years old, Schwimmer attended a Shakespeare class taught by “The X-Men” star.