David Schwimmer

David Schwimmer
Name	David Schwimmer
Caption	Schwimmer in 2011
Birth date	2 November 1966
Birth place	Queens, New York, U.S.
Alma mater	Northwestern University (BA)
Occupation	Actor, director, producer
Yearsactive	1988–present
Spouse	Zoe Buckman, 2010, 2017

David Schwimmer is an American actor and director best known for his portrayal of Ross Geller on the iconic NBC television sitcom Friends. His performance earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination and international fame. Beyond this defining role, he has built a diverse career encompassing film, stage, and television work, including directing episodes of series like Joey and starring in projects such as The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story. Schwimmer is also recognized for his extensive philanthropic efforts and activism.

Early life and education

He was born in the Queens borough of New York City to attorneys Arlene Colman-Schwimmer and Arthur Schwimmer. His family relocated to Los Angeles when he was a child, where he attended Beverly Hills High School and developed an interest in acting. Schwimmer returned to the Midwestern United States to study theater at Northwestern University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in speech and theater. During his time at Northwestern, he co-founded the Lookingglass Theatre Company in Chicago with several classmates, a commitment to ensemble-based theater that would remain a significant part of his professional life.

Career

After graduating, he returned to Chicago to work with the Lookingglass Theatre Company, both acting and directing. His early television roles included appearances on series like The Wonder Years and NYPD Blue. His career was transformed in 1994 when he was cast as the paleontologist Ross Geller on Friends, a role he played for the show's entire ten-season run on NBC. During and after Friends, he appeared in films such as The Pallbearer, Six Days Seven Nights, Kissing a Fool, and provided the voice of Melman in the Madagascar film series. He has also directed, helming episodes of Joey, Little Britain USA, and the feature film Run Fatboy Run. Notable later television work includes a starring role in the BBC One series The Jury and a critically acclaimed performance as attorney Robert Kardashian in the first season of The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story on FX.

Personal life

He was married to British photographer Zoe Buckman from 2010 until their divorce in 2017; they have one daughter. Schwimmer has been candid about the challenges of navigating extreme fame during the height of Friends and has maintained a primary residence in New York City. He remains actively involved with the Lookingglass Theatre Company in Chicago, frequently returning to direct or perform in productions.

Filmography

A selected list of his acting credits includes the television series Friends (1994–2004), The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story (2016), and Intelligence (2020). His film work encompasses The Pallbearer (1996), Six Days Seven Nights (1998), Madagascar (2005), and The Iceman (2012). His directing credits include the film Run Fatboy Run (2007) and episodes for television series such as Joey.

Awards and nominations

For his performance on Friends, he received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 1995. The cast collectively won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in 1996. His role in The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story earned him a Critics' Choice Television Award nomination. He has also been honored with awards from organizations like the Hollywood Film Festival for his directing work.

Philanthropy and activism

He is a longtime advocate for the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), having served on its board of directors and appearing in public service announcements. In the wake of the Me Too movement, he co-created and starred in the BBC series The Jury. Schwimmer has also been involved with charitable organizations such as the Starlight Children's Foundation and UNICEF, and he remains a dedicated supporter and artistic associate of the Lookingglass Theatre Company, often directing benefit productions.

Category:American male television actors Category:American film directors Category:American male film actors Category:People from Queens, New York Category:Northwestern University alumni