David Cross Net Worth, Early Life and Background, Career, Awards, and Nominations
David Cross is a versatile American actor, writer, director, producer, and stand-up comedian with a net worth of $10 million. Best known for his iconic role as Tobias Fünke in the critically acclaimed series Arrested Development (2003–2006, 2013, 2018–2019), Cross has a long list of achievements that span various entertainment genres.
He also gained recognition for his work on Mr. Show with Bob and David (1995–1998), among other notable roles. With over 130 acting credits to his name, David has appeared in films like Scary Movie 2 (2001) and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) as well as TV shows such as Running Wilde (2010–2011) and The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret (2010–2012, 2016).
In addition to acting, Cross has also written, directed, and produced. He directed the 2014 film Hits, the comedy special Let America Laugh (2003), and created the BritBox series Bliss (2018). David is also an accomplished stand-up comedian, having released several comedy albums, two of which received Grammy nominations.
Early Life and Background
David Cross was born on April 4, 1964, in Roswell, Georgia. Raised in a Jewish household, he experienced financial difficulties during his childhood. His family frequently moved, living in Florida, New York, and Connecticut before settling back in Roswell. Due to financial struggles, David and his family lived in motels, and at times, he stayed with friends after they were evicted.
At the age of 10, his father left the family, and David did not speak to him again after he turned 19. He attended Northside High School of the Performing Arts, where he was voted “Most Humorous” and served as senior class treasurer. Cross graduated in 1982 and began his journey into comedy shortly afterward.
Stand-Up Comedy Career
David Cross began his stand-up comedy career at just 17 years old. The day after graduating high school, he moved to New York City to pursue comedy full-time. He spent a semester at Emerson College in Boston, where he joined the sketch comedy group This is Pathetic. In the early 1990s, David regularly performed stand-up in Boston and Los Angeles, eventually forming a sketch comedy group called Cross Comedy.
His big break came when he performed at Un-Cabaret in Los Angeles in 1994, leading to appearances on Joe Frank’s radio shows. David released several stand-up comedy albums, including Shut Up You F**ing Baby!* (2002), Bigger and Blackerer (2010), and Oh, Come On (2019), earning two Grammy nominations for his albums. He was also ranked #85 on Comedy Central’s “100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time” list in 2004.
Film and Television Career
David Cross made his TV debut as a writer for The Ben Stiller Show in 1992, where he occasionally appeared in sketches. His collaboration with Bob Odenkirk led to the creation of Mr. Show with Bob and David in 1995, which became a cult classic and aired 30 episodes on HBO. The duo revived their sketch comedy for Netflix’s W/ Bob & David in 2015.
In the 1990s, David also appeared in films like The Cable Guy (1996), Men in Black (1998), and Waiting for Guffman (1996), while guest-starring on TV shows like The Drew Carey Show and NewsRadio. In 2003, Cross landed one of his most memorable roles as Tobias Fünke on Arrested Development. This series earned critical acclaim and several awards, including a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series.
David’s other notable projects include the Alvin and the Chipmunks franchise, where he played Ian Hawke in three films that collectively grossed over $1 billion at the box office. He also voiced Crane in the Kung Fu Panda series, which has grossed more than $1.8 billion worldwide.
Personal Life
David Cross became engaged to actress Amber Tamblyn in 2011, and the couple married in October 2012. In 2017, they welcomed their daughter, Marlow Alice. Known for his satirical and edgy humor, Cross identifies as an atheist and leans politically toward socialist Democrat ideologies. He was also the first investor in the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter, as confirmed by co-founder Yancey Strickler.
David has maintained strong friendships with the Beastie Boys, appearing in their music video for Make Some Noise and their documentary Beastie Boys Story.
Controversies and Public Apologies
Throughout his career, David Cross has been involved in some controversies. In 2005, he was sued by a Nashville club manager over claims that Cross had recorded him without permission during a performance, but the lawsuit was dismissed. In 2012, David made headlines when he admitted to snorting a small amount of cocaine during the 2009 White House Correspondents’ Dinner, a revelation he made during a Playboy interview. Though he emphasized it was done as a joke, it stirred public attention.
In 2017, actress Charlyne Yi accused Cross of making racially insensitive remarks when they first met a decade earlier. David apologized publicly on Twitter, although he stated that his recollection of the event differed from Yi’s account.
Awards and Nominations
David Cross has been recognized for his work in both television and stand-up comedy. In 1993, he won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for The Ben Stiller Show. He received additional Emmy nominations for his work on Mr. Show with Bob and David.
Cross’s role in Arrested Development earned the cast several Screen Actors Guild Award nominations, and the show received a Future Classic Award from TV Land in 2004. He also earned multiple Gold Derby Award nominations and was nominated for a Satellite Award for his portrayal of Tobias Fünke.
David’s comedy albums Shut Up You F**ing Baby!* and …America…Great… earned Grammy nominations for Best Comedy Album. He also won a DVD Exclusive Award for Best Original Song for Run Ronnie Run and received recognition for his voice performance in Halo 2 at the 2005 G-Phoria Awards.
Conclusion
David Cross has proven himself as a versatile and talented figure in the entertainment industry, excelling in acting, writing, directing, and stand-up comedy. His unique brand of humor, coupled with his dedication to his craft, has earned him a devoted fan base and numerous accolades throughout his career. From his memorable roles in iconic shows like Arrested Development to his celebrated stand-up performances, David continues to leave a lasting impact on the world of comedy.
