Schwimmer began his acting career performing in school plays at Immanuel College Prep, Bushey England and then Beverly Hills High School. He graduated fromNorthwestern University in 1988 with aBachelor of Arts in theater and speech. After graduation, Schwimmer co-founded theLookingglass Theatre Company in Chicago. He later moved back toLos Angeles to pursue his acting career, debuting in the television filmA Deadly Silence in 1989 and appeared in a number of television roles in the early 1990s, includingL.A. Law,The Wonder Years,NYPD Blue, andMonty.
Schwimmer was born on November 2, 1966 (although some sources say November 12)[4], inFlushing, Queens,[5]New York City, to attorneys Arthur (1941–2024) and Arlene Coleman-Schwimmer (born 1940).[6][7][8] His family isJewish.[9] He has a sister named Ellie (born 1965).[10] His mother was a high profile divorce attorney who had represented several high profile figures includingElizabeth Taylor andRod Stewart. His family subsequently moved toLos Angeles, where Schwimmer, at 10, had his first acting experience when he was cast as the fairy godmother in a Jewish version ofCinderella.[10] At the age of 12, Schwimmer went to a Shakespeare workshop given by English actor SirIan McKellen in Los Angeles.[11] He recalls being riveted by the experience.[11] Schwimmer then entered a contest in the Southern California Shakespeare Festival three years in a row, winning two first prizes.[11][12]
Following his mother's successful career as a divorce lawyer, the family moved toBeverly Hills, where Schwimmer attendedBeverly Hills High School.[11][12] His classmates included actorJonathan Silverman. Schwimmer admitted to feeling like an outsider during his time at the school, recalling, "When I was there I always felt: 'This is not me, I'm surrounded by people with a different value system. And I just wanted to get out of California.'"[11] His best subjects were science and math and he originally wanted to become a doctor.[11] Schwimmer enrolled in a drama class, where he appeared in stage productions. Encouraged by his school drama teacher to further his acting, he flew to Chicago for a summer acting program atNorthwestern University. He noted that the experience was both "enlightening and exhilarating".[8] In 1984, Schwimmer graduated from Beverly Hills High and wanted to go straight into acting, but his parents insisted he go to college first so he would have something to fall back on. Schwimmer spent a summer as aprocess server for his mother’s law firm.[13][11] Schwimmer enrolled in Northwestern University, where he had attended the summer acting program earlier.[11] He had originally intended on becoming a surgeon, having studied various body systems but eventually decided to pursue acting professionally.[14] At the university, he studied theater and was in an improv group withStephen Colbert, the No-Fun Mud Piranhas.[15] After graduating in 1988, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in theater and speech, Schwimmer co-founded theLookingglass Theatre Company.[8] Subsequently, he returned to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career.[10] Schwimmer studied clown underPhilippe Gaulier atÉcole Philippe Gaulier.[16]
After his supporting role debut in theABC television filmA Deadly Silence (1989),[17] Schwimmer followed this with roles on the legal dramaL.A. Law in 1992, and the comedy-drama seriesThe Wonder Years.[11] He made his feature film debut inFlight of the Intruder (1991),[10] had a recurring role as a lawyer-turned-vigilante inNYPD Blue before auditioning, unsuccessfully, for a series pilot calledCouples.[10] He landed his first regular series role as the liberal son of a conservative talk show host (Henry Winkler) in the sitcomMonty.[10]
Schwimmer at the London premiere ofMadagascar in 2005
In 1994, Schwimmer was cast asRoss Geller inNBC's situation comedyFriends, a series that revolved around a group of friends who live near each other inManhattan. He played a hopeless-romanticpaleontologist who works at a museum and later becomes a professor at a university. Schwimmer initially turned down the role as Ross, but accepted later.[18] Executive producerKevin S. Bright said that he had previously worked with Schwimmer,[19] the character of Ross was written with him in mind, and he was the first actor cast.[18] The show debuted on September 22, 1994, and was watched by almost 22 million American viewers.[20]Friends quickly developed a loyal audience, with the show and Schwimmer receiving strong reviews. Much of theFriends success is attributed to the plotline between his character Ross and his on-again-off-again love interest Rachel, which has been described as one of the greatest TV couples of all time by various media outlets.[21][22] ThePittsburgh Post-Gazette was complimentary of Schwimmer, calling him "terrific".[23]Variety's television reviewer said: "All six of the principals, especially (Courteney) Cox and Schwimmer, appear resourceful and display sharp sitcom skills".[24] For this performance, he earned aPrimetime Emmy Award nomination forOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 1995.[25]
Schwimmer starred in his first leading film role in the 1996 romantic comedy filmThe Pallbearer withGwyneth Paltrow.[26] In the film, Schwimmer plays a man asked to deliver the eulogy for a high school friend he cannot remember, and begins an affair with the friend's mother. Critics dismissedThe Pallbearer as a poor imitation of the 1967 filmThe Graduate.[27][28]Variety's film reviewer complimented the actor, writing that he had enjoyed his performance, stating that he displayed "a winning, if rather deadpan, personality along with good comic timing".[29] It also concluded that Schwimmer had a "promising bigscreen future".[29]Janet Maslin ofThe New York Times cited that his first film "relegates him to a drab role".[26] When asked why he decided to accept the role, Schwimmer admitted the decision was to "make an effort to find roles that are as far away from the character of Ross as possible."[11] Schwimmer was chosen to play the leading role ofAgent J in the 1997Men in Black but he turned it down. He later regretted this decision. Ultimately,Will Smith got the role.[30]
His next film roles, in 1998, wereKissing a Fool,Six Days, Seven Nights, andApt Pupil. InKissing a Fool, a romantic comedy, Schwimmer played Max, a smart-mouthed, but dapper and charming man.[31]Mick LaSalle of theSan Francisco Chronicle wrote, "Fans of the sitcomFriends may be surprised by David Schwimmer inKissing a Fool. [...] Take it from someone who has never seenFriends and comes at Schwimmer with no preconceptions: He does just fine. As a TV sports reporter inKissing a Fool, he oozes the command and self-satisfaction of a young, successful man."[31] The film was critically and financially unsuccessful.[32] InSix Days, Seven Nights, he played the boyfriend ofAnne Heche's character. InApt Pupil, adapted from anovella of the same name byStephen King,[33] he had a supporting role as a school guidance counselor. "I was scared of the part", Schwimmer said, "but I wanted to be part of the movie". At the time, he noted it was a "little frustrating" that people would typecast him due to his role onFriends.[34] He subsequently appeared oppositeWoody Allen andSharon Stone inAlfonso Arau's straight-to-cable comedyPicking Up the Pieces (2000).[35]
In 2001, Schwimmer playedCaptain Herbert M. Sobel inSteven Spielberg andTom Hanks'HBOWorld War IIminiseriesBand of Brothers. The television miniseries is based on the book of the same title written by historian and biographerStephen Ambrose.[36] AlthoughBand of Brothers was met with largely positive reception,[37] Schwimmer's performance was criticized; theBBC News concluded, "Part of the problem ... may have been the ridiculous fact thatFriends favourite David Schwimmer plays the hard and cruel Captain Herbert Sobel. The only thing believable about Schwimmer's acting is when he cowers in the face of true battle. His puppy dog eyes make him appear even more pitiful."[38] Later that year he portrayedYitzhak Zuckerman in the war dramaUprising, based on the true events of theWarsaw Ghetto Uprising in 1943.[39][40]
In March 2004, Schwimmer appeared as himself on HBO's comedy seriesCurb Your Enthusiasm.[41] During the lengthy run ofFriends, Schwimmer directed ten of the show's episodes.[42][43] The show's tenth and final season ended on May 6, 2004.[44]
Schwimmer at the premiere of his directorial debut,Run Fatboy Run in 2007
In 2004, Schwimmer was director and executive producer onNevermind Nirvana, a sitcom about anIndian American family that was not picked up by NBC.[45][46] AfterFriends, Schwimmer starred in the 2005 independent dramaDuane Hopwood, as the title character, who is an alcoholic whose life is spiraling downward rapidly after a divorce and is looking to turn his life around. The film received ambivalent reviews.[47] Despite the reception, Schwimmer's performance was favored by critics;Roger Ebert of theChicago Sun-Times reported that the role was Schwimmer's "career-transforming performance".[48]Duane Hopwood was screened at a special presentation at the 2005Sundance Film Festival.[49] Furthermore, in the same year he voicedMelman, ahypochondriacgiraffe, in the animated filmMadagascar (2005).[50]The Washington Post noted that Schwimmer is particularly appealing as Melman.[51] Despite the mixed response from critics,[52] the film was a commercial success, earning US$532 million worldwide,[53] making it one of the biggest hits of 2005.[54]
Schwimmer starred on the London stage in May 2005, withCatherine Tate,Lesley Manville,Sara Powell, andSaffron Burrows, inNeil LaBute'sSome Girl(s) at theGielgud Theatre.[55] In the production, he plays a teacher who is ready to settle down and marry, but decides to visit four ex-girlfriends first.[56] For his performance, Schwimmer received critical reviews.The Independent wrote that Schwimmer "is not called upon to extend his range nearly as far as one might have expected inSome Girl(s). [...] Schwimmer remains bland, competent, and boyish—though not fatally boyish in the manner that appears to have turned these women on."[57] However,Charles Spencer ofThe Daily Telegraph praised Schwimmer, reporting he "proves inspired casting. He takes to the stage with ... his endearing gaucheness seems designed to ensure our continued sympathy. Schwimmer mercilessly lays bare his character's opportunism, casual cruelties, and chronic self-deception."[57]
In 2006, he made hisBroadway debut inHerman Wouk's two-act playThe Caine Mutiny Court-Martial.[58] Schwimmer played the role of Lieutenant Barney Greenwald in the production, which was directed byJerry Zaks.[59] In an interview withNew York magazine, he revealed that he had wanted to try Broadway, however said "a couple of things came up that just never quite felt right. Either because I liked the play but wasn't hot on the director, or there was another star attached that I wasn't jazzed about working with."[60] He further added that when showed a copy of Wouk's novel "...I was shocked at how good the writing was."[60] His next film role was in the 2006 black comedyBig Nothing, in which he played a bitter, unemployed scientist.[61]
Schwimmer made his directorial feature debut in the 2007 British comedy filmRun Fatboy Run. The film starsSimon Pegg as an out of shape man who signs up for a marathon to convince his former fiancée and five-year-old son that he has turned his life around.[42] When asked why he decided to direct the film, Schwimmer said: "As a director, I was struck by the challenge that I thought the script presented, which was that it was kind of three films in one. You had some great, big physical comedy, and I thought funny dialogue and characters. And then there was some real emotion to it with the relationship between the father and the son and the romance aspect."[62]Run Fatboy Run garnered mixed reception, with theNew York Daily News rating it one-and-a-half out of five stars and writing, "Most disappointing is how Schwimmer—who spent 10 seasons on a sitcom filled with hyperverbal characters—manages to bumble 'Fatboy's' tender moments."[63]USA Today, however, was favorable towards Schwimmer, reporting he possesses filmmaking finesse "having wisely chosen strong comic material for his debut behind the camera".[64] For his directorial work, he was nominated for aBritish Independent Film Award in the category of Best Debut Director.[65]
On November 8, 2007, Schwimmer made a guest appearance in thesecond season of the television series30 Rock, where he playedGreenzo, an NBC environmental mascot.[66] The following year, he was part of anensemble cast that includedKate Beckinsale,Matt Dillon,Alan Alda,Angela Bassett, andNoah Wyle in the thrillerNothing But the Truth (2008).[67] The movie received generally favorable reviews.[68] The success ofMadagascar led Schwimmer to return to the role of Melman in the 2008 sequel,Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. The film earned US$603 million at the international box office.[69] Schwimmer took part in directing in-studio segments forLittle Britain USA, an American spin-off of the BritishBBC television seriesLittle Britain.[70] In regard to this, he commented that he had "a good time directing episodes" for the show.[71]
In October 2008, Schwimmer made his Off-Broadway directorial debut inFault Lines at theCherry Lane Theatre in New York.[72] The production won a mixed review from theLos Angeles Times, which wrote: "Based onFault Lines ... we can't really tell whether Schwimmer has much talent as a director. We're surprised he didn't try something more challenging for his debut. If not much else, Schwimmer has encouraged his actors to intense their energy levels and comic timing at all costs".[72] TheNew York Post, however, noted that Schwimmer "knows a thing or two about freewheeling banter ... and for a good while the play crackles with terrific dialogue, expertly delivered".[73] In February 2009, he returned to theater in a Chicago production ofThornton Wilder's three-act playOur Town as George Gibbs at theLookingglass Theatre.[74][75] "Schwimmer ... turns in a poignant, richly textured and demonstrably heartfelt performance as George Gibbs. I've seen a fair bit of Schwimmer's post-Friends stage work in London and New York, and I've never seen him better", commented theChicago Tribune.[74]
In 2014, Schwimmer was cast as the lead in the ABC comedy pilotIrreversible, playing "one half of a somewhat eccentric, self-absorbed couple".[81] In 2016, Schwimmer playedRobert Kardashian in the first season of the FX anthology seriesAmerican Crime Story. He received aPrimetime Emmy Award nomination for his performance.[82] In January 2016, Schwimmer andJim Sturgess were cast to star in the newAMCcrime dramaFeed the Beast. The series premiered on June 5, 2016, and aired 10 episodes through August before being canceled.[83] In November 2016, it was announced that Schwimmer would star in his first audio series.[84]Gimlet Media'spodcastHomecoming began airing on November 16, 2016.
In April 2017, Schwimmer helped adapt the films ofSigal Avin for an American audience. The six short features depict sexual harassment at work by men on women.[85][86]
In 2020, Schwimmer was cast as a main character in the British sitcomIntelligence broadcast onSky One.[87] In the same year, he was a celebrity reader onCBeebies Bedtime Stories,[88] and was signed as the face of British banking chainTSB.[89]
Schwimmer featured inJews Don't Count, a 2022 documentary by British Jewish comedianDavid Baddiel on the subject ofantisemitism. Schwimmer's contribution, in which he said that he has never felt white, was described as "erudite" by Rebecca Nicholson ofThe Guardian.[90]
Schwimmer dated singer-songwriterNatalie Imbruglia in the late 1990s. Schwimmer andJennifer Aniston admitted to having crushes on each other early on while filmingFriends during HBO Max'sFriends: The Reunion.[93] Schwimmer began a relationship with British artistZoë Buckman in 2007[94] and they married on June 4, 2010. Their daughter Cleo Buckman Schwimmer was born in 2011.[95][96][97][98][99] The couple announced in April 2017 that they were "taking some time apart".[94] They divorced later that year.[100] Schwimmer and his ex-wife are on good terms and continue toco-parent their child amicably. He tends to keep his personal life away from the media to preserve his daughter's childhood.[95]
In June 2006, Schwimmer won a US$400,000defamation lawsuit against Aaron Tonken, a former charity fundraiser. Tonken claimed Schwimmer had demandedRolex watches in order to appear at his own charity event, a claim that Schwimmer had denied.[104]
Schwimmer is an active director of the Rape Treatment Center inSanta Monica, which specializes in helping victims ofdate rape andchild rape.[12] He has also campaigned for legislation to ban drugs such asRohypnol andGHB.[12] In November 2011, he gave the Scottish charityChildren 1st permission to screen his filmTrust to commemorate World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse and Violence against Children.[105]
In 2012, he rebutted two longstanding rumors: one that he appeared as a soldier on a train inBiloxi Blues (1988), saying, "No. I don't know why that's onIMDb, but I never was in that" (the credit has since been removed), and the other that he is related to dancerLacey Schwimmer, saying, "No, not at all. Please set the record straight. I guess it's a natural assumption because we have the same last name, but no. I've never even met her."[5]
^"David Schwimmer's serious side".NBC News. November 21, 2003. RetrievedMay 21, 2018.David Schwimmer: 'And when it comes to certain prejudice and the hatred that still pervades this country I'm a Jew first and not a white person.'
