David Cross is a stand-up comedian and actor who gained popularity with his comedy performances on ‘Mr. Show’ and ‘Arrested Development’. The beloved comedian shot to popularity with his depiction of Tobias Funke, a deranged psychiatrist with aspirations to be an actor. Cross appears to be a regular, dull middle-aged man with a balding head, round face, and spectacles—that is, until he begins speaking and has the crowd doubled over in laughter. In his youth, the comedian’s real life was riddled with difficulties and unhappiness. He grew up in poverty when his father abandoned him. He lacked a decent residence and was forced to live in motels and with friends who permitted him to stay with them. He began performing stand-up comedy as a teenager and moved to New York to pursue his love as a full-time vocation. After years of struggle without a definite strategy, he was finally offered the opportunity to perform for the comedy club ‘Catch a Rising Star’. He began his career in television as a writer on ‘The Ben Stiller Show.’ His subsequent meeting with Bob Odenkirk altered his fortunes and led to his co-creation of the comedy sketch series ‘Mr. Show,’ which solidified his status as a stand-up comic.
Childhood & Adolescence
David Cross was born in Georgia to Barry and Susie Cross. His parents were impoverished, and the situation deteriorated further when his father left the family.He endured numerous adversities as a child. He lacked a permanent residence and spent time in motels or with like spirits.He attended Northside High School of the Performing Arts and enrolled at Emerson College in Boston in 1983, but dropped out without completing his degree in 1985.Career Comedy was his early interest, and as a teenager, he used to perform stand-up comedy.
After dropping out of college, he relocated to New York, where he kept performing stand-up comedy acts while looking for new venues.He was able to play at the renowned comedy club ‘Catch a Rising Star’. He formed a group called Cross Comedy with other comics and performed a new show every week.In 1992, he was employed as a writer for the television show ‘The Ben Stiller Show.’ He also had brief appearances on ‘The Legend of T.J. O’Pootertoots’. Although the show lasted only 13 episodes, it insured that Cross’ abilities were recognized.
He met Bob Odenkrik during his tenure on ‘The Ben Stiller Show’ and teamed with him to produce his own comedy series, ‘Mr. Show,’ which premiered on HBO in 1995. The show ran from 1993 through 1998.He co-created the television series ‘Tenacious D’ in 1997, which included dramatized narratives of the comic rock band ‘Tenacious D’. Cross guest starred on the episode as a comedy disguised as a nun.He appeared in three episodes of the television sitcom ‘Just Shoot Me!’ from 1999 to 2003.He starred as the insane yet endearing doctor Tobias Funke in the Fox Network sitcom ‘Arrested Development’ from 2003 to 2006. The show received widespread critical praise and won numerous accolades.
He is the creator of the IFC comedy miniseries ‘The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret.’ The show broadcast 12 episodes over two seasons.He has also appeared in or lent his voice to several other comedic series, including ‘Strangers with Candy,’ ‘Aqua Teen Hunger Force,’ and ‘Archer.’He has also acted in a number of films in supporting roles, including ‘The Cable Guy’ (1996), ‘Dr. Dolittle 2’ (2001), ‘Alvin and the Chipmunks’ (2007), and ‘Kung Fu Panda 2’ (2009). (2011).He published three stand-up comedy albums: ‘Shut up your Fucking Baby!’ (2002), ‘It’s Not Funny’ (2004), and ‘Bigger and Blackerer’ (2006). (2010).
Significant Works of David
His work as a writer for ‘The Ben Stiller Show’ was widely praised, despite the show’s brief run. The show earned him an Emmy Award and introduced the world to his comedic abilities.Mr. Show, the sketch comedy series he co-created with Bob Odenkrik, was a critical and commercial success, earning four Primetime Emmy nominations. It aired on HBO for four seasons.His performance as Tobias Funke on ‘Arrested Development’ garnered him fans. He was originally cast in a lesser role, but due to his popularity, the producer decided to give him a prominent role.
Awards and Accomplishments
As a writer for ‘The Ben Stiller Show,’ he earned the 1993 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music, or Comedy Program.
Personal History and Legacies
He dated actress Amber Tamblyn, whom he was 19 years younger than, and the two married in 2012.
Estimated Net Worth
David Cross is a $10 million-wealthy American actor, writer, director, producer, and stand-up comedian. Cross is arguably best known for his role as Tobias Fünke on the highly acclaimed sitcom “Arrested Development” (2003–2006; 2013; 2018–2019) and as a cast member of the sketch comedy series “Mr. Show with Bob and David” (1995–1998). David has over 130 acting credits to his name, which include the films “Scary Movie 2” (2001), “Run Ronnie Run” (2002), “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” (2004), and “It’s a Disaster” (2012), as well as the television series “Running Wilde” (2010–2011), “The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret” (2010–2012; 2016), and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” (2016–2017).
Trivia
In 2009, he wrote his memoir, ‘I Drink for a Reason.’He has been featured in PETA’s ‘I’d Rather be Naked than Wear Fur’ commercials.