David Cross | |
|---|---|
 Cross in 2012 | |
| Born | (1964-04-04)April 4, 1964 (age 61) |
| Education | Emerson College |
| Notable work | |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | Russ Tamblyn (father-in-law) |
| Comedy career | |
| Years active | 1981–present |
| Genres | |
David Cross (born April 4, 1964)[1] is an Americanstand-up comedian, actor, writer, and television producer. Cross is best known for his stand-up performances, theHBO sketch comedy seriesMr. Show with Bob and David (1995–1998), his role asIan Hawke in the first threeAlvin and the Chipmunks movies, and his role asTobias Fünke in theFox/Netflix sitcomArrested Development (2003–2006, 2013–2019). He has been described as "one of the defining figures of cult Gen X comedy".[2]
Cross created, wrote, executive produced, and starred inThe Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret (2010–2016); developed and had a prominent role inFreak Show (2006); appeared onModern Family (2011–2012); and portrayed Ian Hawke inAlvin and the Chipmunks (2007),Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (2009), andAlvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (2011). Cross has also donevoice work for thesitcomOliver Beene (2003–2004), and has had lead voice-over roles inCurious George (2006),Battle for Terra (2007), theKung Fu Panda film franchise (2008–2016),Megamind (2010), andNext Gen (2018).
In 1993, he won aPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series for his work onThe Ben Stiller Show. ForMr. Show with Bob and David, he gained threePrimetime Emmy Award nominations, and forArrested Development, Cross was nominated for aSatellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Television Series, and, along with his cast, for threeScreen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. For his stand-up specials, he was nominated for severalGrammy Awards.
Cross was born inRoswell,Georgia, toJewish parents, Barry and Susi Cross.[3][4][1] His father is an immigrant fromLeeds, England.[5]
Six months after his birth, Cross's family moved toFlorida. After additional moves toNew York andConnecticut, the family re-settled in Roswell, where Cross remained for nearly a decade. He is the oldest of three children and has two younger sisters.[6]
The family had little money. Cross recalled that they were evicted from their home and that he spent some time living in motels and at friends' homes in his youth.[7] Cross's father left the family when Cross was 10 years old; the two have not spoken since Cross was 19, though they both primarily resided inNew York City until Cross sold his home there in 2011.[8]
Cross began performingstand-up comedy around the age of 17.[2] The day after he graduated fromNorthside High School inAtlanta, Cross relocated to New York City. Lacking a plan, he drifted, working briefly for a lawn care company onLong Island. Later, he enrolled atEmerson College inBoston. He would drop out after a semester, but during his time there, Cross joined This is Pathetic, a college sketch group, where he metJohn Ennis. Aspiring toward an acting career, the two took a road trip to Los Angeles in the summer of 1985, although this did not significantly further their acting careers. In Boston, Cross began to perform stand-up more regularly. From the mid-1980s to the early 1990s, Boston had a booming comedy scene, although Cross did not fit the types of acts being booked most of the time. He recalls that it was "a loud, dumb, pandering, racist, homophobic-type scene".[9]
In 1990, a new comedy scene began to emerge at the comedy club chainCatch a Rising Star. AlongsideJaneane Garofalo,Louis C.K., and other comics, Cross appeared regularly several nights a week. Cross formed the sketch comedy group "Cross Comedy" with 12 other performers, and they put on a new show every week. They were known for playing tricks on the audience, such as introducing fake comics or planting fakehecklers. Cross became increasingly focused on his comedy work.[9]
Cross later performed at thealternative comedy clubUn-Cabaret in Los Angeles, where radio artistJoe Frank heard him, and hired him to appear in Frank's 1994 radio programs, "A Hearing" and "The Last Run" (in 1997 combined to become "The OJ Chronicles"),[10] where Cross appears as OJ's valet. Cross also starred in the Joe Frank program "Jam", produced in 1999,[11] and worked with Frank on radio shows forKCRW'sUnfictional: "A Conversation" (2013)[12] and "Downfall" (2015).[13]
Cross's stand-up comedy blends political commentary and satire.[14] In 1999, he performed a one-hour comedy special,The Pride Is Back, onHBO. In 2003, he released his first tour film,Let America Laugh, and was named #85 on Comedy Central's list of the 100 greatest stand-ups of all time. He has released five comedy albums: 2002'sShut Up You Fucking Baby!, 2004'sIt's Not Funny, 2010'sBigger and Blackerer, 2016'sMaking America Great Again/...America... Great..., and 2019'sOh, Come On. He was nominated for theGrammy Award for Best Comedy Album twice, in 2003 forShut Up You Fucking Baby! and in 2016 for...America... Great....[15]
Cross's first three records were released on CD by indie-rock labelSub Pop, and on vinyl by comedy labelStand Up! Records forShut Up andIt's Not Funny. He self-released 2016's...America... Great... on CD, with Stand Up! again releasing a vinyl version.Oh, Come On was released by Comedy Dynamics.[16][17][18][19] Cross tends to release his albums in overlapping audio and video formats which each contain material not found on the other. This is the case onBigger and Blackerer,Oh, Come On, and perhaps most obviously the 2016 companion setMaking America Great Again (a Netflix film) and...America... Great... (CD/vinyl audio), which have different titles.[20][21]Oh, Come On's video and audio versions were recorded at two different shows on the same tour.[22]
Cross's stand-up material was featured inComedy Central's 2004 animated seriesShorties Watchin' Shorties. He appears on severalUn-Cabaret compilation albums, includingFreak Weather Feels Different andThe Good, the Bad and the Drugly.
Cross began his professional television career as a writer onThe Ben Stiller Show. The series hired him toward the end of its run, and he occasionally made brief appearances in the sketches. He had a speaking role in "The Legend of T.J. O'Pootertoot", a sketch written almost entirely by Cross. It was during this period that he first metBob Odenkirk, with whom he would later co-create the HBOsketch comedy seriesMr. Show with Bob and David (Mr. Show) in 1995. Cross won an Emmy for his work onThe Ben Stiller Show in 1993.[23] In 1997 he played Newton, an employee of the NYC Morgue inMen in Black, and reprised the character, now as an owner of a video rental store, inMen in Black II in 2002.
Cross later co-starred asTobias Fünke inArrested Development, originally intended to be only a minor role.[24] He also played smaller roles on programs such asJust Shoot Me!,The Drew Carey Show,NewsRadio,Strangers with Candy,Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job, andAqua Teen Hunger Force. From October 2005, Cross regularly appeared on Comedy Central'sThe Colbert Report asStephen Colbert's nemesis Russ Lieber, a fictional liberal radio talk show host fromMadison,Wisconsin.[25] Cross developed an animated series for Comedy Central calledFreak Show, which co-starredH. Jon Benjamin and was cancelled due to low ratings.[26] He has appeared several times onWonder Showzen.
Cross teamed up withMr. Show director and producerTroy Miller and Odenkirk to produce a feature filmRun Ronnie Run, based on one of theirMr. Show characters. The film satirized thereality television craze, and featured cameos from many stars; however, Odenkirk got into conflict with the studioNew Line Cinema, and they released itdirect-to-video. In 1994 and again in 1999, Cross was a guest voice actor onJoe Frank's radio show, featured in the episodes "The Last Run", "A Hearing", "The O.J. Chronicles", and "Jam". In 2013, he returned, making an appearance in an episode of Frank's radio show, entitled "A Conversation".[27]
In 2004, Cross provided voices for a Marine inHalo 2 and a store clerk named "Zero" inGrand Theft Auto: San Andreas.[28] He was also the voice of the "Happy-Time Harry" doll and Bert Banana inAqua Teen Hunger Force (although the part was credited as Sir Willups Brightslymoore). Cross has made guest appearances inTim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! He directed the music video forThe Black Keys' song "10 A.M. Automatic", a spoof ofpublic-access television.Paste Magazine ranked it number 24 on their list of the 50 Best Music Videos of the Decade (2000–2009).[29]
Cross appeared inThe Strokes' music video for "Juicebox" as a bad local "morning zoo" radio DJ. He also appeared inThe New Pornographers' video for "Use It", inSuperchunk's video for "Watery Hands" (along withJaneane Garofalo), and inYo La Tengo's video for "Sugarcube" (along with Bob Odenkirk and John Ennis). Cross contributes toVice magazine, writing a column,My America. In 2005, he contributed to theUNICEF benefit song "Do They Know It's Hallowe'en?" and appeared in one ofPETA's "I'd Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur" campaigns.[30]
In theBeastie Boys' 2006 concert filmAwesome; I Fuckin' Shot That!, Cross portrays Nathaniel Hörnblowér in the fictional segment "A Day in the Life of Nathaniel Hörnblowér". InI'm Not There, Cross portraysAllen Ginsberg. BothBill Lawrence andZach Braff of the TV seriesScrubs were eager to have Cross make a cameo appearance on the series asTobias Fünke, but due to the series' cancellation, the plan never came to fruition.[31][32]
Cross provided commentary on theVicarious music videoDVD forTool. He has previously performed comedy as an opening act for the band and its members appeared onMr. Show several times. He portrayed Ian Hawke in theAlvin and the Chipmunks film series and voicedCrane in theKung Fu Panda film franchise.
Cross starred inDavid's Situation, apilot for HBO. It filmed in May 2008 and included manyMr. Show alumni at the taping. On August 6, 2008, Bob Odenkirk announced on bobanddavid.com thatDavid's Situation would not be produced.[33]
Cross'sblack comedy seriesThe Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret, in which he stars and co-writes withShaun Pye, has run onChannel 4 in the United Kingdom andIFC in the United States since October 2010,[34] for a total 18 episodes. On March 29, 2010, his first comedy special in six years,Bigger and Blackerer, was streamed onEpix HD. A CD with "slightly different content" was released on May 25, 2010.[35]
In 2009, Cross released his first bookI Drink for a Reason. The book features memoirs, satirical fictional memoirs, and material from Cross that originally appeared in other publications.[36] In September 2009, Cross performed at his own comedy stage at theATP New York 2009 music festival, for which he pickedEugene Mirman,H. Jon Benjamin,Jon Glaser, andDerrick Brown & The Navy Gravy to join him. In the same year, Cross and Benjamin created and wrote forPaid Programming onAdult Swim.Paid Programming was not picked up for a full series and Benjamin referred to it as an "abject failure".[37]
Cross starred alongsideJulia Stiles andAmerica Ferrera inIt's a Disaster, which premiered at the 2012Los Angeles Film Festival.Oscilloscope Laboratories acquired US distribution rights to the film, releasing it in select theaters beginning April 13, 2013.[38]
Cross's directorial debut filmHits premiered at the2014 Sundance Film Festival.[39][40] Instead of selling the film rights to distributors, Cross instead opted to sell the movie overBit Torrent through their "bundles" program,[41] which BitTorrent launched to help "legitimize" the platform.[41] According toThe Verge, it was the first feature film to be distributed in such a format.[41] At the same time, Cross launched aKickstarter campaign for the movie's general release which would then distribute the movie using apay what you want methodology.[41]
In April 2015, episodes were ordered for a new sketch comedy show starring Cross and Odenkirk calledW/ Bob & David.[42] It premiered in November 2015 onNetflix. Cross and Odenkirk write, star in, and produce the show.
On the January 10, 2016, broadcast of the National Public Radio-syndicated quiz showAsk Me Another, Cross appeared as a celebrity guest and performed well enough that at the audience's request the show's producers took the unusual step of allowing him to advance to the show's final, championship round; he then won that round and became that episode's overall champion, winning a prize package that included a pair of denim cutoff shorts that he himself had autographed.[citation needed]
He created the eight-episodeblack comedy seriesBliss, which was released by theBritBox streaming service in 2018. It starsStephen Mangan as Andrew, a fraudulenttravel writer, who is struggling to maintain long-term relationships with two partners, Kim (Heather Graham) and Denise (Jo Hartley), who are not aware of one another.[43][44] The same year Cross provided the lead character's "white voice" in thescience fictioncomedy filmSorry to Bother You (2018).[45][46]
On October 16, 2025, Cross guest starred as Nolan Hurst, in the TV seriesElsbeth, episode titled Doll Day Afternoon onCBS.[47]
Cross has said his comedic influences includeBill Hicks,[48]Andy Kaufman,[49]Monty Python's Flying Circus,[49]Lou Costello,[49]Steven Wright,[49]Richard Pryor,[49] andLenny Bruce.[49]
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In October 2005, Cross was sued by Nashville club manager Thomas Weber, who accused Cross of supposedly taping him without permission forShut Up You Fucking Baby andLet America Laugh in apparent violation of Weber's privacy rights. In April 2006, the case against Cross was dismissed and the case proceeded with Warner Music, Subpop Records, WEA Corporation, and the Alternative Distribution Alliance.[50][51] In October 2017, Cross apologized to actor-comedianCharlyne Yi after they reported that he had made racially insensitive comments toward them in the mid-2000s and later.[52][53] He later theorized that he was doing an impression of a Southernredneck. Five days later, he tweeted, "Charlyne I'm sorry that I hurt you and that this whole thing played out as it did."[54][55]
In August 2018, members ofthe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints protested against a photo which Cross tweeted of himself wearing "Mormon religious undergarments." The tweet was meant to promote his show at theUniversity of Utah's Kingsbury Hall inSalt Lake City, Utah. The university president issued a statement condemning apparent "bigotry and religious intolerance" and calling the imagery "deeply offensive." Citing theFirst Amendment, the university said it would not "censor the content of those coming to campus."[56]
In April 2005, Cross criticized stand-up comedianLarry the Cable Guy in aRolling Stone interview, saying, "It's a lot ofanti-gay,racist humor—which people like in America—all couched in 'I'm telling it like it is.' He's in the right place at the right time for that gee-shucks, proud-to-be-a-redneck, I'm-just-a-straight-shooter-multimillionaire-in-cutoff-flannel-selling-ring-tones act. That's where we are as a nation now. We're in a state of vague American values andanti-intellectual pride."
In response, Larry devoted a chapter in his bookGIT-R-DONE to Cross and the "PCleft," claiming that Cross had supposedly "screwed with my fans, it was time for me to say something." Larry claimed thatRolling Stone was baiting comedians to attack him, and they turned to Cross only afterLewis Black refused, as Larry and Black are good friends.[57] Cross responded withAn Open Letter to Larry the Cable Guy posted on his website.[58] He continued to mock Larry in his stand-up, satirizingBlue Collar TV during a guest appearance onWonder Showzen. In December 2005, he ended his performance on Comedy Central'sLast Laugh '05 by mockingly yelling Larry's catchphrase, "GIT-R-DONE!", to the audience as he left the stage. He poked fun at Larry's comedy inFreak Show with a character called "Danny the Plumber Guy."
Cross criticizedInside the Actors Studio hostJames Lipton on aMr. Show sketch and in his stand-up performanceThe Pride Is Back, calling him "pretentious."[59] Lipton, who thought Cross's impression of him was not good-natured, later appeared alongside Cross inArrested Development, in the recurring role of Prison Warden Stefan Gentles. During filming, Cross was impressed with Lipton's acting and comedic ability, and the two became good friends.[60] On one commentary track for season four ofMr. Show, Cross discussed the encounter, complimenting Lipton for his professionalism and performance, saying that he liked Lipton personally but still "didn't care for"Inside The Actors Studio.
Despite critical praise for his performance, David Cross received backlash from fans for his role inAlvin and the Chipmunks. In December 2007, comedianPatton Oswalt joked in aMySpace blog post that he and fellow comedianBrian Posehn were offered the role of Ian but rejected it, adding, "We both threw the script across the room in disgust. David Cross caught it."[61] Responding to critics of his decision to appear in the film, Cross said he had rejected the role initially but reconsidered.[62][63][64] Cross reprised his role as Ian Hawke inAlvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (2009) andAlvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (2011). Cross describedChipwrecked as "literally without question, the most unpleasant experience I've ever had in my professional life."[65][66] He accused an unidentified female producer of antisemitism and mistreating him.[67] He was also "forced at legal gunpoint" to spend a week shooting footage on a Carnival Cruise, which Cross argued was unnecessary since he had no lines and was unrecognizable in a pelican suit.[68] The comments cost Cross a $150,000 bonus for violating his non-disparagement clause by discussing his grievances publicly.[68]
Cross marriedAmber Tamblyn in 2012.[69] On February 21, 2017, Tamblyn announced that she and Cross had a daughter.[70][71][72]
Cross was raisedJewish, but became anatheist in adulthood, and no longer practices Judaism.[3][4]
On September 26, 2013,Kickstarter co-founderYancey Strickler revealed that Cross was the first investor in thecrowdfunding platform. Strickler included Cross among the "friends and family" who first financed Kickstarter in 2006.[73]
Cross is a fan of and friends with the musical groupBeastie Boys. He is sampled on the beginning of the group's single "Ch-Check It Out" from their albumTo the 5 Boroughs. One of the group's members,Mike D, did not believe that this was Cross's voice in the sample, and Cross says he had to perform the voice in front of Diamond to prove it was actually him. Cross revealed this while hosting the Beastie Boys SiriusXM channel.[74] Cross also appeared in the group's music video for "Make Some Noise" which was nominated for Video of The Year at the2011 MTV Video Music Awards.[75] In theSpike Jonze directed documentaryBeastie Boys Story in 2020, Cross has a post-credit scene in which he interrupts the group's theater performance to poke fun at the commercial failure of their second album,Paul's Boutique.[76]
Cross has dual British and American citizenship.[77]
Cross has described his political philosophy as "definitely more socialist Democrat thancentrist politician".[78] In an interview in 2016, Cross praised SenatorBernie Sanders and said he admired Sanders "way before he ran for President".[79] In 2021, Cross featured on a video produced by theGravel Institute, aprogressivethink tank.[80]
In October 2023, Cross signed theArtists4Ceasefire open letter calling for a permanent ceasefire in theGaza War.[81][82] In March 2025, during an interview withKatie Halper, Cross referred to the state ofIsrael as "corrupt" and an "apartheid state."[83]
Cross condemned theRiyadh Comedy Festival and several of the comedians performing, due to thehuman rights record in Saudi Arabia. He referred to the government of Saudi Arabia as "literally, the most oppressive regime on Earth". He stated that the comedians who signed on are "performing for blood money", and that the comedians who in their acts complain aboutcancel culture and a lack offreedom of speech were hypocritical. Cross concluded theopen letter by encouraging people to donate to theHuman Rights Foundation.[84]
| Year | Title | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | The Pride Is Back | HBO | Special[85] |
| 2002 | Shut Up You Fucking Baby! | Sub Pop (CD);Stand Up! Records (vinyl)[16][17] | Album Nominated–Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album(2003)[15] |
| 2004 | It's Not Funny | Sub Pop (CD); Stand Up! Records (vinyl)[17][16] | Album |
| 2010 | Bigger and Blackerer | Sub Pop[16][20] | Special and album[20] |
| 2016 | Making America Great Again | Netflix (special) Self-released (CD); Stand Up! Records (vinyl)[19][21] | Special and album...America...Great...[21] Nominated–Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album(2016)[15] |
| 2019 | Oh, Come On | Comedy Dynamics[22] | Special and album[22] |
| 2022 | I'm from the Future | Self-released | Special |
| 2024 | Worst Daddy in The World | 800 Pound Gorilla | Special |
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Two Drink Minimum | Showcase |
| 1996 | HBO Comedy Half-Hour | |
| 2004 | Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1 | Compilation |
| 2005 | Invite Them Up | |
| 2007 | Comedy Death-Ray | |
| 2008 | Awesome Record, Great Songs! Volume One |
| Year | Title | Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | I Drink for a Reason | Grand Central Publishing, New York (ISBN 978-0-446-57948-3) |
| 2013 | Hollywood Said No! |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Destiny Turns on the Radio | Ralph Dellaposa | |
| 1996 | The Truth About Cats & Dogs | Male Radio Caller / Bookstore Man | |
| The Cable Guy | Sales Manager | ||
| Waiting for Guffman | UFO Expert | ||
| 1997 | Who's the Caboose? | Jaded Guy | |
| Men in Black | Newton, Morgue Attendant | ||
| 1998 | Small Soldiers | Irwin Wayfair | |
| The Thin Pink Line | Tommy Dantsbury | ||
| 1999 | Can't Stop Dancing | Chapman | |
| 2000 | Chain of Fools | Andy | |
| 2001 | Ghost World | Gerrold | |
| Dr. Dolittle 2 | Dog #2 & Owl | Voice | |
| Pootie Tang | Pootie Tang Impostor | ||
| Scary Movie 2 | Dwight Hartman | ||
| One Day... | The Turd | Short film | |
| 2002 | Life Without Dick | Rex | |
| Men in Black II | Newton | ||
| Martin & Orloff | Dan Wasserman | ||
| Run Ronnie Run | Ronnie Dobbs / Pootie T / Chow Chow's voice | Also writer | |
| 2003 | Melvin Goes to Dinner | Seminar Leader | |
| Let America Laugh | Himself | Also writer | |
| 2004 | Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind | Rob Eakin | |
| 2006 | Awesome; I Fuckin' Shot That! | Nathaniel Hörnblowér | |
| She's the Man | Principal Gold | ||
| Curious George | Junior Bloomsberry | Voice | |
| School for Scoundrels | Ian Winsky | ||
| 2007 | Crashing | Man In Space | |
| The Grand | Larry Schwartzman | ||
| I'm Not There | Allen Ginsberg | ||
| Battle for Terra | Giddy | Voice | |
| Alvin and the Chipmunks | Ian Hawke | ||
| 2008 | The Toe Tactic | Timmy | Voice |
| Futurama: The Beast with a Billion Backs | Yivo | Voice Direct-To-DVD | |
| Kung Fu Panda | Crane | Voice | |
| Secrets of the Furious Five | Voice Short film | ||
| The Legend of Secret Pass | Loo | Voice | |
| 2009 | Meltdown | Ham Sandwich | Short film |
| Year One | Cain | ||
| Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel | Ian Hawke | ||
| 2010 | Megamind | Minion | Voice |
| 2011 | Fight For Your Right Revisited | Nathaniel Hörnblowér | Short film |
| Megamind: The Button of Doom | Minion | Voice Short film | |
| Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked | Ian Hawke | ||
| Kung Fu Panda 2 | Crane | Voice | |
| Demoted | Ken Castro | ||
| 2012 | It's a Disaster | Glenn Randolph | |
| 2013 | Kill Your Darlings | Louis Ginsberg | |
| The Gynotician | Gynotician | Short film Also co-writer | |
| 2014 | Hits | Director and writer | |
| Obvious Child | Sam | ||
| 2015 | The Wolfpack Project | Documentary Executive producer | |
| Pitch Perfect 2 | Riff-Off Host | Credited as Sir Willups Brightslymoore | |
| 2016 | Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Scroll | Crane | Voice Short film |
| Kung Fu Panda 3 | Voice | ||
| Folk Hero & Funny Guy | Chris DeRose | ||
| 2017 | The Post | Howard Simons | |
| 2018 | Sorry to Bother You | Cash's white voice | Voice |
| Next Gen | Dr. Rice / Q-Bots | ||
| 2020 | Beastie Boys Story | Himself | Documentary |
| The Dark Divide[86] | Robert Michael Pyle | ||
| 2021 | 8-Bit Christmas | Dealer | |
| 2023 | You Hurt My Feelings | Jonathan | |
| 2025 | Oh, Hi! | Steve |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992–1993 | The Ben Stiller Show | Stage Manager / Boyfriend | 2 episodes Also writer Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program(1993) |
| 1995 | A Bucket of Blood | Charlie | Television film |
| 1995–1998 | Mr. Show with Bob and David | Various roles | 30 episodes Also co-creator, writer and executive producer Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program(1998–1999) Nominated –Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Music and Lyrics(1998) |
| 1996–1997 | The Drew Carey Show | Earl | 2 episodes |
| 1996–1998 | NewsRadio | David / Theo | 2 episodes |
| 1997–1998 | Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist | David (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 1997–2000 | Tenacious D | Comic Dressed as Nun | Episode: "Angel in Disguise" Also co-creator, writer and executive producer |
| 1997 | Space Ghost Coast to Coast | Himself | Episode: "Gallagher" |
| 1998 | Hercules | Fear (voice) | Episode: "Hercules and the Owl of Athens" |
| 1999–2003 | Just Shoot Me! | Donnie DiMauro | 3 episodes |
| 2000 | Strangers with Candy | Dr. Trepanning | Episode: "Is My Daddy Crazy?" |
| 2001 | Night of the Living Doo | Himself (voice) | Television film |
| Home Movies | Guy in Grocery Store (voice) | Episode: "Brendon's Choice" | |
| 2002–2008 | Aqua Teen Hunger Force | Happy Time Harry / Bert Banana (voices) | 3 episodes |
| 2002 | Never Mind the Buzzcocks | Himself | American version, panel game show, 1 episode |
| 2003–2004 | Oliver Beene | Future Oliver David Beene (voice) | 23 episodes |
| 2003 | King of the Hill | Ward Rackley (voice) | Episode: "Witches of East Arlen" |
| 2003–2004 | Crank Yankers | Benjamin Dubois / Ray Shanty (voices) | 2 episodes |
| 2003–2006, 2013, 2018–2019 | Arrested Development | Dr. Tobias Fünke | 78 episodes Nominated–Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series(2005–2006, 2014) Nominated–Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Television Series(2004) |
| 2004 | Pilot Season | Ben (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 2005 | Tom Goes to the Mayor | Todd (voice) | Episode: "Calcucorn" |
| 2005–2007 | The Colbert Report | Russ Lieber | 7 episodes |
| 2006 | O'Grady | Randy Harnisch (voice) | Episode: "Big Jerk on Campus" |
| Wonder Showzen | T-Totaled Timbo / Junkyard Jessip / Storytime Hostage | 3 episodes | |
| Freak Show | Benny / Primi / Various voices | 7 episodes Also co-creator, writer, and executive producer | |
| Family Guy | Jerry Kirkwood (voice) | Episode: "Prick Up Your Ears" | |
| 2007–2008 | Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! | Pizza Boy / James the Pussy Doodles Artist / Lou | 3 episodes |
| 2007 | Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Ronnie Chase | Episode: "Bombshell" |
| Odd Job Jack | Julius J (voice) | Episode: "King Ho" | |
| 2008 | David's Situation | David | Pilot Also co-creator and writer |
| Human Giant | Peter Burns | 2 episodes | |
| 2009 | Important Things with Demetri Martin | Co-worker | Episode: "Chairs" |
| Paid Programming | Pilot Also co-creator | ||
| 2010 | Kung Fu Panda Holiday | Crane | Voice |
| 2010–2011 | Running Wilde | Dr. Andy Weeks | 7 episodes |
| 2010–2012, 2016 | The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret | Todd Margaret | 19 episodes Also creator, writer, and associate and executive producer |
| 2011, 2018 | Archer | Noah (voice) | 6 episodes |
| 2011 | Soul Quest Overdrive | Bert (voice) | 6 episodes |
| 2011–2012 | Modern Family | Duane Bailey | 3 episodes |
| 2012 | Mary Shelley's Frankenhole | Jim Belushi /John Belushi (voices) | Episode: "Robert Louis Stevenson's Belushi" |
| 2012–2013 | Comedy Bang! Bang! | Himself / Chef | 2 episodes |
| 2013–2014 | The Heart, She Holler | Jack | 12 episodes |
| 2014 | Rick and Morty | Prince Nebulon (voice) | Episode: "M. Night Shaym-Aliens!" |
| Community | Hank Hickey | Episode: "Advanced Advanced Dungeons & Dragons" | |
| Dead Boss | Derek Bridges | Pilot | |
| Maron | Himself | Episode: "Marc's Family" | |
| Drunk History | Baron von Steuben | Episode: "Philadelphia" | |
| 2015 | Asylum | Juan Pablo | Episode: "Project Siren" |
| TripTank | Jack (voice) | Episode: "Precipice of Yesterday" | |
| W/ Bob & David | Various roles | 4 episodes Also co-creator, writer, and executive producer | |
| 2016–2017 | Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt | Russ Snyder | 4 episodes |
| 2016 | We Bare Bears | Director (voice) | Episode: "The Audition" |
| 2017 | Pig Goat Banana Cricket | Thaddeus D. Actwell (voice) | Episode: "Steak Bus" |
| 2018–2019 | Goliath | Pete "The Broker" Oakland | 6 episodes |
| 2018 | Bliss | Creator, co-writer, executive producer and director | |
| Ask the StoryBots | Hippie | Episode: "How Do Flowers Grow?" | |
| The Shivering Truth | Soldier (voice) | Episode: "Ogled Inklings" | |
| Archer | Noah (voice) | 3 episodes | |
| 2019–2020 | Big Mouth | Skip Glouberman (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 2021 | Genius | Jerry Wexler | 7 episodes |
| What We Do in the Shadows | Dominykas the Dreadful | Episode: "A Farewell" | |
| Station Eleven | Gil | 2 episodes | |
| Bubble Guppies | The Freezy Dragon (voice) | Episode: "Christmas is Coming!" | |
| 2021–2023 | Teenage Euthanasia | Video Doctor (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 2023 | Justified: City Primeval | Burt Dickey | 2 episodes |
| Krapopolis | Mage (voice) | Episode: "Dungeons and Deliria" | |
| 2024 | The Umbrella Academy | Sy Grossman | 4 episodes |
| 2025 | Elsbeth | Nolan Hurst | Doll Day Afternoon |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Halo 2 | Marine (voice) | G-Phoria Award for Best Voice Male Performance |
| Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas | Zero (voice) | ||
| 2006 | Curious George | Junior (voice) | |
| 2009 | Brütal Legend | Screamwagon's tortured demon (voice) | |
| 2020 | Grand Theft Auto Online | DJ Zachary (voice) | The Cayo Perico Heist DLC |
| 2021 | Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition | Zero (voice) | Archival recordings Remaster ofGrand Theft Auto: San Andreas only |
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | "Watery Hands" bySuperchunk | Actor |
| "Sugarcube" byYo La Tengo | ||
| 2004 | "10 A.M. Automatic" byThe Black Keys | Director |
| 2005 | "Juicebox" byThe Strokes | Actor |
| "Use It" byThe New Pornographers | ||
| 2006 | "Vicarious" DVD byTool | Commentary |
| 2011 | "Make Some Noise" byBeastie Boys | Actor |
| 2024 | "Can't Believe We're Here" byJ Mascis |
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Harmontown | Himself |
| 2016–2017 | Homecoming | Anthony Azam |
| 2016 | Cum Town | Himself |
| 2017 | Chapo Trap House | |
| 2018 | The Official Podcast | |
| 2019 | What a Time to Be Alive | |
| 2020 | Off Menu | Himself[87] |
| Life Is Short With Justin Long | Himself | |
| WTF | ||
| 2021 | SmartLess | |
| 2022 | Useful Idiots | |
| Your Mom's House | ||
| 2023 | Aunty Donna Podcast | |
| 2023–present | Senses Working Overtime with David Cross | |
| 2024 | Quorators | Himself[88] |
| 2025 | Dancing Is Forbidden: An Aqua Teen Hunger Force Exploration | Himself[89] |
I was raised Jewish but I don't believe in God, I'm not Jewish, and I don't hold those beliefs.
The one person I want right now is David Cross. I wanted David Cross to come on as Tobias Funke ... I love that character, and the fact that character is over for good, I want him to at least have one more little life.
What is for sure is Zach's desire to work with actor David Cross. [...] Zach and Bill both love Cross' character from Development and prompted Zach to say "I want David Cross to come on as Tobias. I'm trying to broker that deal. I think that it would be so funny because I love [that character]. I want him to have at least one more life."
I was definitely influenced by Bill Hicks. Well, maybe less 'influenced' than 'inspired by'. When I first met him, I was doing stuff that I do now, so maybe I wasn't directly influenced by him. But he was certainly inspiring.
And we totally don't agree on politics, but he's a friend of mine.
...the birth of our daughter, Dauphinoise Petunia Brittany Scheherazade Von Funkinstein Mustard Witch RBG Cross Tamblyn-Bey jr.
Media from Commons
Quotations from Wikiquote
Data from Wikidata
