David Hyde Pierce
Born
April 3, 1959 (66 years old)
Known For
Acting
Place of Birth
Saratoga Springs, New York, USA
David Hyde Pierce is an American actor, director, and producer best known for his portrayal of psychiatrist Dr. Niles Crane on the NBC sitcom Frasier from 1993 to 2004. For his role on Frasier, Pierce won four Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, making him the only performer to have won four consecutive Emmys in that category. He also received a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Lieutenant Frank Cioffi in the Broadway musical Curtains (2007).
Pierce was born David Pierce on April 3, 1959, in Saratoga Springs, New York. He is the youngest of four children. His father, James Joseph Pierce, was a salesman, and his mother, Laura Marie Hughes, was a homemaker. Pierce attended Saratoga Springs High School, where he was a member of the drama club. After graduating from high school, Pierce attended Yale School of Drama, where he received a Master of Fine Arts degree in 1984.
Pierce began his acting career in the theater. He appeared in a number of off-Broadway productions, including The Threepenny Opera, The Playboys, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. In 1989, he made his Broadway debut in the play The Heidi Chronicles.
Pierce's breakthrough role came in 1993, when he was cast as Dr. Niles Crane on the NBC sitcom Frasier. The show was a spin-off of the popular sitcom Cheers, and it starred Kelsey Grammer as Frasier Crane, a psychiatrist who moves to Seattle to join his brother Niles, also a psychiatrist, in practice. Pierce's portrayal of Niles Crane was both hilarious and nuanced, and he quickly became a fan favorite. For his work on the show, Pierce won four Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, making him the only performer to have won four consecutive Emmys in that category.
After Frasier ended its run in 2004, Pierce continued to work in television and film. He has starred in a number of television series, including The Good Wife, The Good Fight, and Veep. He has also appeared in a number of films, including Wet Hot American Summer, Down with Love, and A Bug's Life.
In addition to his acting work, Pierce is also a director and producer. He has directed episodes of the television series Frasier, The Good Wife, and Veep. He has also produced a number of television projects, including The Good Fight and The Undoing.
Pierce is married to Brian Hargrove, a film producer. They have been together since 2002 and were married in 2008.
The Exorcism
Father Conor
2024
The Lavender Scare
Dr. Franklin E. Kameny (voice)
2019
Must See TV: An All Star Tribute to James Burrows
Self
2016
Hurricane of Fun: The Making of Wet Hot
Self
2015
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Vanya
2012
Jackie's Back!
Perry (The Deaf Rehearsal Pianist)
1999
Mouse
Julia
Paul Child · (16 episodes)
2022
Stars in the House
Self · (1 episode)
2020
Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later
Henry Neumann · (1 episode)
2017
When We Rise
Dr. Jones · (4 episodes)
2017
Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp
Henry Neumann · (2 episodes)
2015
Late Night with Seth Meyers
Self · (1 episode)
2014
Sondheim! The Birthday Concert
Self - Host
2010
The Perfect Host
Warwick Wilson
2010
The Good Wife
Frank Prady · (8 episodes)
2009
Forever Plaid
The Narrator
2009
Stingray Sam
Narrator
2009
Monty Python Conquers America
Self
2008
The Graham Norton Show
Self · (1 episode)
2007
The Megan Mullally Show
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
2006
The Amazing Screw-On Head
Emperor Zombie (voice)
2006
World's Greatest Stand Up: Volume One
self
2006
Celebrity Mix
Self (archive footage)
2005
The Tony Danza Show
Self · (3 episodes)
2004
Frasier: Analyzing the Laughter
Niles Crane
2004
Hellboy
Abe Sapien (voice) (uncredited)
2004
The Celebrity Apprentice
(1 episode)
2004
Gary the Rat
Addison · (13 episodes)
2003
Down with Love
Peter MacMannus
2003
The Shakespeare Sessions
2003
Treasure Planet
Doctor Doppler (voice)
2002
Full Frontal
Carl
2002
Laud Weiner
Laud Weiner
2002
Osmosis Jones
Drix (voice)
2001
Wet Hot American Summer
Henry
2001
On the Edge
Barney (segment "Happy Birthday")
2001
Chain of Fools
Mr. Kerner
2001
The Tangerine Bear: Home in Time for Christmas!
Bird (voice)
2000
Titus
(1 episode)
2000
Isn't She Great
Michael Hastings
2000
The Mating Habits of the Earthbound Human
The Narrator
1999
The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
1999
A Bug's Life
Slim (voice)
1998
Hercules
Daedalus · (0 episode)
1998
Hercules
Daedalus (voice) · (2 episodes)
1998
The View
Self · (4 episodes)
1997
Star Trek: 30 Years and Beyond
Niles Crane
1996
Nixon
John Dean
1995
The Adventures of Hyperman
(1 episode)
1995
The World of James Bond
1995
Caroline in the City
Dr. Niles Crane · (1 episode)
1995
Caroline in the City
Jimmy Callahan · (1 episode)
1995
The Outer Limits
Dr. Jack Henson · (1 episode)
1995
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
Puss (voice) · (1 episode)
1995
Wolf
Roy McCallister
1994
Addams Family Values
Delivery Room Doctor
1993
Frasier
Niles Crane · (264 episodes)
1993
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Self - Guest · (3 episodes)
1993
Sleepless in Seattle
Dennis Reed
1993
GMTV
Self · (1 episode)
1993
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
Self · (6 episodes)
1992
The Powers That Be
Theodore Van Horne · (15 episodes)
1992
The Fisher King
Lou Rosen
1991
Little Man Tate
Garth Emmerick
1991
Dream On
Jerry Dorfer · (1 episode)
1990
The Simpsons
Cecil Terwilliger (voice) · (2 episodes)
1989
The Simpsons
Felix (voice) · (1 episode)
1989
Vampire's Kiss
Theater Guy
1989
Knightwatch
Gibson · (1 episode)
1988
The Appointments of Dennis Jennings
Businessman
1988
LIVE with Kelly and Mark
(1 episode)
1988
Rocket Gibraltar
Monsieur Henri
1988
Crossing Delancey
Mark
1988
Bright Lights, Big City
Bartender at Fashion Show
1988
Spenser: For Hire
(1 episode)
1985
Moving Violations
Immigration Officer
1985
Saturday Night Live
Self - Host · (1 episode)
1975
Tony Awards
Self - Presenter · (2 episodes)
1956
Today
Self · (1 episode)
1952
The Emmy Awards
Self · (1 episode)
1949