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| name = David Cross
| name = David Cross
| image = Arrested Development 2011 Reunion xvi crop.jpg
| image = Arrested Development 2011 Reunion xvi crop.jpg
| caption = Cross at the Arrested Development 2011 Reunion
| caption = Cross at the ''[[Arrested Development]]'' 2011 reunion
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1964|4|4}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1964|4|4}}
| birth_place = [[Atlanta, Georgia]], [[United States|U.S.]]
| birth_place = [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia]], [[United States|U.S.]]
| religion = [[Atheism|Atheist]]
| nationality = [[American people|American]]
| nationality = [[American people|American]]
| active = 1992–present
| active = 1992–present
| notable_work = Host – ''[[Mr. Show with Bob and David|Mr. Show]]''<br />Tobias Fünke in ''[[Arrested Development (TV series)|Arrested Development]]''<br />[[Ian Hawke]] in ''[[Alvin and the Chipmunks (film series)|Alvin and the Chipmunks]]''<br />[[List of Kung Fu Panda characters#Crane|Crane]] in ''[[Kung Fu Panda (franchise)|Kung Fu Panda]]''
| religion = None ([[Atheism|Atheist]])
| notable_work = Host – ''[[Mr. Show with Bob and David|Mr. Show]]''<br />Tobias Fünke in ''[[Arrested Development (TV series)|Arrested Development]]''<br />[[Ian Hawke]] in ''[[Alvin and the Chipmunks (film series)|Alvin and the Chipmunks]]''
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Amber Tamblyn]]|2012}}
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Amber Tamblyn]]|2012}}
| influences = [[Bill Hicks]]<ref>Cross in {{cite web | url = http://www.simonguildford.com/?page=2 | title= Does Anybody Remember Laughter? | first=Simon | last= Guildford | publisher = SimonGuildford.com | date= Undated. Interview conducted June 21, 2007 | quote = 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.| archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/6OgS7Q5Ln | archivedate= 2014-04-08 | deadurl=no}}</ref> [[Andy Kaufman]], [[Monty Python]], [[Lou Costello]], [[Steven Wright]], [[Richard Pryor]], [[Lenny Bruce]]<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.netplaces.com/comedy-writing/lets-get-sketchy/profile-in-comedy-david-cross.htm | title = Profile in Comedy: David Cross - Comedy Writing}}</ref>
| influences = [[Bill Hicks]]<ref>Cross in {{cite web | url = http://www.simonguildford.com/?page=2 | title= Does Anybody Remember Laughter? | first=Simon | last= Guildford | publisher = SimonGuildford.com | date= Undated. Interview conducted June 21, 2007 | quote = 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.| archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/6OgS7Q5Ln | archivedate= 2014-04-08 | deadurl=no}}</ref> [[Andy Kaufman]], [[Monty Python]], [[Lou Costello]], [[Steven Wright]], [[Richard Pryor]], [[Lenny Bruce]]<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.netplaces.com/comedy-writing/lets-get-sketchy/profile-in-comedy-david-cross.htm | title = Profile in Comedy: David Cross - Comedy Writing}}</ref>
|genre = [[Political satire]], [[Black comedy]], [[Sketch comedy]]
| genre = [[Political satire]], [[Black comedy]], [[Sketch comedy]]
}}
}}
'''David Cross''' (born April 4, 1964)<ref name=allmovie>{{cite web|url=http://movies.nytimes.com/person/15909/David-Cross/biography| title=David Cross|first=Andrea|last= LeVasseur|publisher =[[All Media Guide|All Movie Guide]] via ''[[The New York Times]]''|accessdate=January 2, 2011}}</ref> is an American comedian, actor, writer and voice artist known primarily for his standup work, the [[HBO]] [[sketch comedy]] series ''[[Mr. Show with Bob and David|Mr. Show]]'', and his role as [[Tobias Fünke]] in the sitcom ''[[Arrested Development (TV series)|Arrested Development]]''. Cross created, wrote, executive produced, and starred in ''[[The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret]]''; developed and had a prominent role in the [[Comedy Central]] animated sitcom ''[[Freak Show (TV series)|Freak Show]]''; and has a recurring role in the ABC sitcom ''[[Modern Family]]''. Cross portrayed antagonist [[Ian Hawke]] in the live-action / CGI ''[[Alvin and the Chipmunks (film series)|Alvin and the Chipmunks]]'' films.
'''David Cross''' (born April 4, 1964)<ref name=allmovie>{{cite web|url=http://movies.nytimes.com/person/15909/David-Cross/biography| title=David Cross|first=Andrea|last= LeVasseur|publisher =[[All Media Guide|All Movie Guide]] via ''[[The New York Times]]''|accessdate=January 2, 2011}}</ref> is an [[Untied States|American]] stand-up comedian, actor, writer, singer, voice artist, and comedian, known primarily for his standup work, the [[HBO]] [[sketch comedy]] series ''[[Mr. Show with Bob and David|Mr. Show]]'', and his role as [[Tobias Fünke]] in the sitcom ''[[Arrested Development (TV series)|Arrested Development]]''. Cross created, wrote, executive produced, and starred in ''[[The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret]]'', developed and had a prominent role in ''[[Freak Show (TV series)|Freak Show]]'', has a recurring role in ''[[Modern Family]]'', portrayed [[Ian Hawke]] in the [[Alvin and the Chipmunks (film series)|''Alvin and the Chipmunks'' film franchise]], and voiced [[List of Kung Fu Panda characters#Crane|Crane]] in the [[Kung Fu Panda (franchise)|''Kung Fu Panda'' film franchise]].


==Early life==
==Early life==
Cross was born in [[Atlanta, Georgia]] on April 4, 1964, the son of Susi and Barry, the latter of whom emigrated from [[Leeds]], England.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chortle.co.uk/interviews/2010/10/29/12031/while_i%92m_doing_alvin_and_the_chipmunks%2C_i%92m_thinking_of_awful_risque%26%238237%3B_%26%238236%3Bthings|title='While I’m doing Alvin And The Chipmunks, I'm thinking of awful risque things': Interview with David Cross|publisher=Chortle.com.uk|date=October 29, 2010}}</ref> Six months after his birth, Cross's family moved to Florida. After additional moves to New York and Connecticut, the family settled back in [[Roswell, Georgia]], where Cross remained for nearly a decade. His family was poor and Barry left the family when Cross was ten years old, and Cross and Barry have not spoken since he was 19, though they both primarily resided in New York City until Cross sold his home there in 2011.<ref name="WTF with Marc Maron Interview">{{cite web | url=http://www.wtfpod.com/podcast/episodes/episode_269_-_david_cross/ | title=WTF with Marc Maron Podcast – Episode 269 – David Cross | accessdate=April 19, 2012}}</ref> Cross and his family were evicted from their home while living in Georgia. He spent some time living in motels and at friends' homes while growing up.<ref name="Adam Carolla Podcast Interview">[http://www.archive.org/details/2009.06.29acp-Cross Adam Carolla Podcast Interview]</ref> He has two sisters, and once bailed his youngest sibling out of jail.<ref name="carolla1010">{{cite web|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20110723131717/http://www.adamcarolla.com/ACPBlog/2010/10/07/david-cross/| archivedate= July 23, 2011|work=[[The Adam Carolla Show (terrestrial radio)|Adam Carolla Show]]|url=http://www.adamcarolla.com/ACPBlog/2010/10/07/david-cross/ |title=David Cross 10/7/2010}}</ref> <!--He attended Northside High School of the Performing Arts (now [[North Atlanta High School]]), graduating in 1982. Cross was elected treasurer of his senior class and was voted "Most Humorous" by his classmates.-->
Cross was born in [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia]] on April 4, 1964, the son of Barry and Susi, whom emigrated from [[Leeds]], [[England]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chortle.co.uk/interviews/2010/10/29/12031/while_i%92m_doing_alvin_and_the_chipmunks%2C_i%92m_thinking_of_awful_risque%26%238237%3B_%26%238236%3Bthings|title='While I’m doing Alvin And The Chipmunks, I'm thinking of awful risque things': Interview with David Cross|publisher=Chortle.com.uk|date=October 29, 2010}}</ref> Six months after his birth, Cross' family moved to [[Florida]]. After additional moves to New York and Connecticut, the family settled back in [[Roswell, Georgia]], where Cross remained for nearly a decade. His family was poor and Barry left the family when Cross was 10 years old and the two have not spoken since he was 19, though they both primarily resided in New York City until Cross sold his home there in 2011.<ref name="WTF with Marc Maron Interview">{{cite web | url=http://www.wtfpod.com/podcast/episodes/episode_269_-_david_cross/ | title=WTF with Marc Maron Podcast – Episode 269 – David Cross | accessdate=April 19, 2012}}</ref> Cross and his family were evicted from their home while living in Georgia. He spent some time living in motels and at friends' homes while growing up.<ref name="Adam Carolla Podcast Interview">[http://www.archive.org/details/2009.06.29acp-Cross Adam Carolla Podcast Interview]</ref> He has two sisters and once bailed his youngest sibling out of jail.<ref name="carolla1010">{{cite web|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20110723131717/http://www.adamcarolla.com/ACPBlog/2010/10/07/david-cross/| archivedate= July 23, 2011|work=[[The Adam Carolla Show (terrestrial radio)|Adam Carolla Show]]|url=http://www.adamcarolla.com/ACPBlog/2010/10/07/david-cross/ |title=David Cross 10/7/2010}}</ref> <!--He attended Northside High School of the Performing Arts (now [[North Atlanta High School]]), graduating in 1982. Cross was elected treasurer of his senior class and was voted "Most Humorous" by his classmates.-->


==Career==
==Career==

===Beginnings in comedy===
===Beginnings in comedy===
Cross began performing [[stand-up comedy]] at 17. The day after he graduated from high school, Cross went to New York. Lacking a plan, he drifted around, working briefly for a lawn care company on Long Island, and later enrolled at [[Emerson College]] in [[Boston]]. He would drop out after only a semester, but during his time there, Cross joined This is Pathetic, a college [[sketch comedy|sketch]] group, where he met [[John Ennis (actor)|John Ennis]]. In the summer of 1985, the two aspiring actors took a road trip to Los Angeles, 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".<ref name="odenkirk">Odenkirk, Naomi. (2002). Mr. Show What Happened?! Beverly Hills, CA: The Management Group. ISBN 9713597-8-4</ref>
At age 17, Cross began performing [[stand-up comedy]]. The day after he graduated from high school, Cross went to [[New York]]. Lacking a plan, he drifted around, working briefly for a lawn care company on Long Island, and later enrolled at [[Emerson College]] in [[Boston]]. He would drop out after only a semester, but during his time there, Cross joined This is Pathetic, a college sketch group, where he met [[John Ennis (actor)|John Ennis]]. In the summer of 1985, the two aspiring actors took a road trip to Los Angeles, 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".<ref name="odenkirk">Odenkirk, Naomi. (2002). Mr. Show What Happened?! Beverly Hills, CA: The Management Group. ISBN 9713597-8-4</ref>


In 1990, a new comedy scene began to emerge at the famous comedy club chain called [[Catch a Rising Star]] (where many of the comedians of the 1970s and 1980s got their start). Cross—along with [[Janeane Garofalo]], [[Louis C.K.]], and other comics—appeared regularly several nights a week. Cross formed the sketch comedy group "Cross Comedy" with twelve 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 fake [[heckler]]s. Cross became increasingly focused on his comedy work.<ref name="odenkirk" /> Cross performed at the [[alternative comedy]] club [[Un-Cabaret]] in Los Angeles.
In 1990, a new comedy scene began to emerge at the famous comedy club chain called [[Catch a Rising Star]] (where many of the comedians of the 1970s and 1980s got their start). Alongside [[Janeane 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 fake [[heckler]]s. Cross became increasingly focused on his comedy work.<ref name="odenkirk" /> Cross performed at the [[alternative comedy]] club [[Un-Cabaret]] in Los Angeles.


Cross continues to perform [[stand-up comedy|stand-up]], in which he blends political commentary and satire.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800343908/bio |title=David Cross Biography – Yahoo! Movies |publisher=Movies.yahoo.com |date=1964-04-04 |accessdate=2010-09-14}}</ref> In 1999, he was given his own one-hour comedy special on [[HBO]], entitled ''The Pride Is Back''. He has released three recordings, ''[[Shut Up You Fucking Baby!]]'', ''[[It's Not Funny]]'', and ''[[Bigger and Blackerer]]''. Cross' stand up material was featured in Comedy Central's animated series [[Shorties Watchin' Shorties]]. In 2004, ''Shut Up You Fucking Baby!'' was nominated for the [[Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album]]. 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 appears on [[Un-Cabaret]] compilation albums, including ''Freak Weather Feels Different'' and ''The Good, the Bad and the Drugly''.
Cross continues to perform [[Stand-up comedy|stand-up]], in which he blends political commentary and satire.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800343908/bio |title=David Cross Biography – Yahoo! Movies |publisher=Movies.yahoo.com |date=1964-04-04 |accessdate=2010-09-14}}</ref> In 1999, he was given his own 1-hour comedy special on [[HBO]] entitled ''The Pride Is Back''. He has released three recordings: ''[[Shut Up You Fucking Baby!]]'', ''[[It's Not Funny]]'', and ''[[Bigger and Blackerer]]''. Cross' stand up material was featured in Comedy Central's animated series [[Shorties Watchin' Shorties]]. In 2004, ''Shut Up You Fucking Baby!'' was nominated for the [[Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album]]. 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 appears on [[Un-Cabaret]] compilation albums, including ''Freak Weather Feels Different'' and ''The Good, the Bad and the Drugly''.


===Work on ''The Ben Stiller Show'', ''Mr. Show'' and other programs===
===Work on ''The Ben Stiller Show'', ''Mr. Show'' and other programs===
[[File:DavidCross2007.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Cross at the 2007 Plug Awards]]
[[File:DavidCross2007.jpg|thumb|right|Cross at the 2007 Plug Awards]]
Cross began his professional television career as a writer on ''[[The Ben Stiller Show]]''. The short-lived [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox Network]] 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 met [[Bob Odenkirk]], with whom he would later co-create the [[HBO]] [[sketch comedy]] series ''[[Mr. Show with Bob and David|Mr. Show]]'' in 1995. Cross won an Emmy for his work on ''The Ben Stiller Show'' in 1993.<ref>{{cite news | url =http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid:74197 | title = Something Completely Different | first = Ron | last = Deutsch | publisher = Austin Chronicle | date = 1999-10-08 | accessdate = 2008-07-07}}</ref>
Cross began his professional television career as a writer on ''[[The 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 met [[Bob Odenkirk]], with whom he would later co-create the [[HBO]] [[sketch comedy]] series ''[[Mr. Show with Bob and David|Mr. Show]]'' in 1995. Cross won an Emmy for his work on ''The Ben Stiller Show'' in 1993.<ref>{{cite news | url =http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid:74197 | title = Something Completely Different | first = Ron | last = Deutsch | publisher = Austin Chronicle | date = 1999-10-08 | accessdate = 2008-07-07}}</ref>


Cross later co-starred as [[Tobias Fünke]] in ''[[Arrested Development (TV series)|Arrested Development]]'', which was originally intended to be only a minor role. He has also played smaller roles on programs such as ''[[Just Shoot Me!]]'', ''[[The Drew Carey Show]]'', ''[[NewsRadio]]'', ''[[Strangers with Candy]]'','' [[Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job]]'', and ''[[Aqua Teen Hunger Force]]''. Since October 2005, Cross has appeared on [[Comedy Central]]'s ''[[The Colbert Report]]'' as [[Stephen Colbert (character)|Stephen Colbert]]'s nemesis, a fictional liberal radio talk show host from [[Madison, Wisconsin|Madison]], Wisconsin named "Russ Lieber". Cross also developed an animated series for Comedy Central called ''[[Freak Show (TV series)|Freak Show]]'', which co-starred [[H. Jon Benjamin]], and was cancelled due to low ratings. He has appeared several times on the [[MTV2]] series ''[[Wonder Showzen]]''.
He later co-starred as [[Tobias Fünke]] in ''[[Arrested Development (TV series)|Arrested Development]]'', which was originally intended to be only a minor role. He has also played smaller roles on programs such as ''[[Just Shoot Me!]]'', ''[[The Drew Carey Show]]'', ''[[NewsRadio]]'', ''[[Strangers with Candy]]'','' [[Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job]]'', and ''[[Aqua Teen Hunger Force]]''. Since October 2005, Cross has appeared on [[Comedy Central]]'s ''[[The Colbert Report]]'' as [[Stephen Colbert (character)|Stephen Colbert]]'s nemesis, a fictional liberal radio talk show host from [[Madison, Wisconsin|Madison]], Wisconsin named "Russ Lieber". Cross also developed an animated series for Comedy Central called ''[[Freak Show (TV series)|Freak Show]]'', which co-starred [[H. Jon Benjamin]] and was cancelled due to low ratings. He has appeared several times on ''[[Wonder Showzen]]''.


Cross teamed up with "Mr. Show" Producer/Director [[Troy Miller]] and Odenkirk to produce a feature film ''[[Run Ronnie Run]]'', based on one of their ''Mr. Show'' characters. The film satirized the reality television craze, and featured cameos from many stars; however, Odenkirk got into conflict with the studio [[New Line Cinema]], and they then released it [[direct-to-video]]. In 1994 and again in 1999, Cross was a guest voice actor on [[Joe 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."<ref>{{cite web|title=Joe Frank: A Conversation|url=http://www.kcrw.com/etc/programs/uf/uf130125joe_frank_a_conversa|work=KCRW: UnFictional|accessdate=3 February 2013}}</ref>
Cross teamed up with ''Mr. Show'' director and producer [[Troy Miller]] and Odenkirk to produce a feature film ''[[Run Ronnie Run]]'', based on one of their ''Mr. Show'' characters. The film satirized the reality television craze, and featured cameos from many stars; however, Odenkirk got into conflict with the studio [[New Line Cinema]], and they then released it [[direct-to-video]]. In 1994 and again in 1999, Cross was a guest voice actor on [[Joe 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."<ref>{{cite web|title=Joe Frank: A Conversation|url=http://www.kcrw.com/etc/programs/uf/uf130125joe_frank_a_conversa|work=KCRW: UnFictional|accessdate=3 February 2013}}</ref>


In 2004, Cross provided voices for a Marine in the [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] game ''[[Halo 2]]'', and a store clerk named [[List of characters in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas#Zero|Zero]] in ''[[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]]''. He also was the voice of the violent, alcoholic "Happy-Time Harry" doll and Bert Banana in ''Aqua Teen Hunger Force'' (although the part was credited as Sir Willups Brightslymoore). He has also made guest appearances in the [[Adult Swim]] series ''[[Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!]]''. He directed the music video for [[The Black Keys]]' song "10am Automatic", a spoof of [[public-access television]].
In 2004, Cross provided voices for a Marine in ''[[Halo 2]]'' and a store clerk named [[List of characters in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas#Zero|Zero]] in ''[[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]]''. He was also the voice of the "Happy-Time Harry" doll and Bert Banana in ''Aqua Teen Hunger Force'' (although the part was credited as Sir Willups Brightslymoore). Cross has made guest appearances in ''[[Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!]]''. He directed the music video for the [[The Black Keys|Black Keys]]' song "10am Automatic," a spoof of [[public-access television]].


Cross appeared in [[The Strokes]]' music video for "Juicebox" as a bad local "morning zoo" radio DJ. He also appeared in [[The New Pornographers]]' video for "Use It", in [[Superchunk]]'s video for "Watery Hands" (along with [[Janeane Garofalo]]), and in [[Yo La Tengo]]'s video for "Sugarcube" (along with Bob Odenkirk and John Ennis). Cross contributes to ''[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]'' magazine, writing a column titled "My America".
Cross appeared in the [[The Strokes|Strokes]]' music video for "Juicebox" as a bad local "morning zoo" radio DJ. He also appeared in the [[The New Pornographers|New Pornographers]]' video for "Use It," in [[Superchunk]]'s video for "Watery Hands" (along with [[Janeane Garofalo]]), and in [[Yo La Tengo]]'s video for "Sugarcube" (along with Bob Odenkirk and John Ennis). Cross contributes to ''[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]'' magazine, writing a column titled "My America."


In 2005, he contributed to the [[United Nations Children's Fund|UNICEF]] benefit song "[[Do They Know It's Hallowe'en?]]" and appeared in one of PETA's "I'd Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur" campaigns.<ref>Bruna Nessif, "[http://www.eonline.com/news/422046/blast-from-the-past-funnyman-david-cross-wears-his-own-fur-in-never-nude-peta-ad, Blast from the Past: Funnyman David Cross Wears His Own Fur in Never Nude PETA Ad,]" EOnline, 22 May 2013.</ref>
In 2005, he contributed to the [[United Nations Children's Fund|UNICEF]] benefit song "[[Do They Know It's Hallowe'en?]]" and appeared in one of PETA's "I'd Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur" campaigns.<ref>Bruna Nessif, "[http://www.eonline.com/news/422046/blast-from-the-past-funnyman-david-cross-wears-his-own-fur-in-never-nude-peta-ad, Blast from the Past: Funnyman David Cross Wears His Own Fur in Never Nude PETA Ad,]" EOnline, 22 May 2013.</ref>


In the [[Beastie Boys]]' 2006 concert film ''[[Awesome; I Fuckin' Shot That!]]'', Cross played the character Nathaniel Hörnblowér in the fictional segment "A Day in the Life of Nathaniel Hörnblowér". In the [[Bob Dylan]] [[biographical film]] ''[[I'm Not There]]'', Cross played the role of poet [[Allen Ginsberg]]. Both [[Bill Lawrence (producer)|Bill Lawrence]] and [[Zach Braff]] of ''[[Scrubs (TV show)|Scrubs]]'' were eager to have Cross [[cameo appearance|cameo]] on the show as [[Tobias Fünke]], but because of the series' cancellation, the plan never came to fruition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/categories/scrubs/|title=Zach Braff on Scrubs, Fletch and Being Goofy|author=Mischalova|date=Sep 6, 2006|publisher=The Hollywood Gossip.com|quote=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.|accessdate=Oct 3, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/scrubs-zach-may-come-back-an-arrested-development-guest/|title=''Scrubs:'' Zach May Come Back & An ''Arrested Development'' Guest?|date=Sep 9, 2006|publisher=TV Series Finale.com|quote=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.”|accessdate=Oct 3, 2010}}</ref>
In the [[Beastie Boys]]' 2006 concert film ''[[Awesome; I Fuckin' Shot That!]]'', Cross portrayed Nathaniel Hörnblowér in the fictional segment "A Day in the Life of Nathaniel Hörnblowér." In ''[[I'm Not There]]'', Cross portrayedt [[Allen Ginsberg]]. Both [[Bill Lawrence (producer)|Bill Lawrence]] and [[Zach Braff]] of ''[[Scrubs (TV show)|Scrubs]]'' were eager to have Cross cameo on the series as [[Tobias Fünke]], but due to the series' cancellation, the plan never came to fruition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/categories/scrubs/|title=Zach Braff on Scrubs, Fletch and Being Goofy|author=Mischalova|date=Sep 6, 2006|publisher=The Hollywood Gossip.com|quote=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.|accessdate=Oct 3, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/scrubs-zach-may-come-back-an-arrested-development-guest/|title=''Scrubs:'' Zach May Come Back & An ''Arrested Development'' Guest?|date=Sep 9, 2006|publisher=TV Series Finale.com|quote=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.”|accessdate=Oct 3, 2010}}</ref>


Cross provided commentary on the ''Vicarious'' music video DVD for the band [[Tool (band)|Tool]]. He has previously performed comedy as an opening act for the band, and its members appeared on ''Mr. Show'' several times. He played Ian Hawke in ''[[Alvin and the Chipmunks (film)|Alvin and the Chipmunks]]'', ''[[Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel]]'' and ''[[Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked]]'' and voiced Crane in the 2008 movie ''[[Kung Fu Panda]]'', a role which he has continued through most of the animated franchise.
Cross provided commentary on the ''Vicarious'' music video [[DVD]] for [[Tool (band)|Tool]]. He has previously performed comedy as an opening act for the band and its members appeared on ''Mr. Show'' several times. He portrayed [[Ian Hawke]] in ''[[Alvin and the Chipmunks (film)|Alvin and the Chipmunks]]'', ''[[Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel]]'', and ''[[Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked]]'' and voiced [[List of Kung Fu Panda characters#Crane|Crane]] in the [[Kung Fu Panda (franchise)|''Kung Fu Panda'' film franchise]].


Cross starred in a pilot for [[HBO]] called ''David's Situation'' which filmed in May 2008 and included many ''[[Mr. Show with Bob and David|Mr. Show]]'' alumni at the taping. On August 6, 2008, Bob Odenkirk announced on bobanddavid.com that ''David's Situation'' would not be produced.
He starred in a pilot for [[HBO]] titled ''David's Situation'', which filmed in May 2008 and included many ''Mr. Show'' alumni at the taping. On August 6, 2008, Bob Odenkirk announced on bobanddavid.com that ''David's Situation'' would not be produced.


[[File:9.13.09DavidCrossByLuigiNovi.jpg|thumb|Cross at the 2009 [[Brooklyn Book Festival]]]]
[[File:9.13.09DavidCrossByLuigiNovi.jpg|thumb|left|Cross at the 2009 [[Brooklyn Book Festival]]]]
Cross' comedy series ''[[The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret]]'', which he co-wrote with writer [[Shaun Pye]], has run on [[Channel 4]] in the UK and the cable channel [[IFC (U.S. TV channel)|IFC]] in the U.S.
Cross' comedy series ''[[The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret]]'' (which he co-wrote with [[Shaun Pye]]) has run on [[Channel 4]] in the [[United Kingdom]] and [[IFC (U.S. TV channel)|IFC]] in the [[United States]].


In 2009, Cross released his first book, ''[[I Drink for a Reason]]''. The book features memoirs, satirical fictional memoirs and material from Cross that originally appeared in other publications.<ref>{{cite web|title=I Drink for a Reason|url=http://www.idrinkforareason.com/|accessdate=December 22, 2012}}</ref>
In 2009, Cross released his first book ''[[I Drink for a Reason]]''. The book features memoirs, satirical fictional memoirs, and material from Cross that originally appeared in other publications.<ref>{{cite web|title=I Drink for a Reason|url=http://www.idrinkforareason.com/|accessdate=December 22, 2012}}</ref>


In September 2009, Cross performed at his own comedy stage at the [[All Tomorrow's Parties (music festival)|ATP New York 2009]] music festival, for which he picked [[Eugene Mirman]], [[H. Jon Benjamin|Jon Benjamin]] & [[Jon Glaser]] and [[Derrick C. Brown|Derrick Brown & The Navy Gravy]] to join him. In 2009 Cross, along with Jon Benjamin, created and wrote for ''[[Paid Programming (TV pilot)|Paid Programming]]'', a live action television pilot for [[Cartoon Network|Cartoon Network's]] late night programing block, [[Adult Swim]]. ''Paid Programming'' was not picked up for a full series, and Benjamin referred to it as an "abject failure".<ref name=benjamin>{{cite web|last=Heisler|first=Steve|title=Random Roles H. Jon Benjamin|url=http://www.avclub.com/articles/h-jon-benjamin,51327/|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=4 February 2011|accessdate=5 February 2011}}</ref>
In September 2009, Cross performed at his own comedy stage at the [[All Tomorrow's Parties (music festival)|ATP New York 2009]] music festival, for which he picked [[Eugene Mirman]], [[H. Jon Benjamin]], [[Jon Glaser]], and [[Derrick C. Brown|Derrick Brown & The Navy Gravy]] to join him. In the same year, Cross and Benjamin created and wrote for ''[[Paid Programming (TV pilot)|Paid Programming]]'',on [[Adult Swim]]. ''Paid Programming'' was not picked up for a full series and Benjamin referred to it as an "abject failure".<ref name=benjamin>{{cite web|last=Heisler|first=Steve|title=Random Roles H. Jon Benjamin|url=http://www.avclub.com/articles/h-jon-benjamin,51327/|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=4 February 2011|accessdate=5 February 2011}}</ref>


On March 29, 2010, his first comedy special in six years, "Bigger and Blackerer", was streamed on [[Epix HD]]. A CD with "slightly different content" was released on May 25, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idiomag.com/peek/108529/david_cross|title=David Cross- new CD/DVD announced|accessdate=2010-03-30|date=|publisher=[[idiomag]]}}</ref>
On March 29, 2010, his first comedy special in 6 years ''Bigger and Blackerer'' was streamed on [[Epix HD]]. A CD with "slightly different content" was released on May 25, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idiomag.com/peek/108529/david_cross|title=David Cross- new CD/DVD announced|accessdate=2010-03-30|date=|publisher=[[idiomag]]}}</ref>


Cross starred alongside [[Julia Stiles]] and [[America Ferrera]] in the dark comedy ''[[It's a Disaster]]'', which premiered at the 2012 [[Los Angeles Film Festival]]. [[Oscilloscope Laboratories]] has acquired the US distribution rights to the film, and plans to release it in select theaters starting April 13, 2013.<ref name="Oscilloscope">{{cite web | url = http://www.oscilloscope.net/films/film/83/Its-A-Disaster | title = Oscilloscope.net – It's a Disaster | accessdate = 22 March 2013}}</ref>
Cross starred alongside [[Julia Stiles]] and [[America Ferrera]] in ''[[It's a Disaster]]'', which premiered at the 2012 [[Los Angeles Film Festival]]. [[Oscilloscope Laboratories]] has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to the film and plans to release it in select theaters, which started on April 13, 2013.<ref name="Oscilloscope">{{cite web | url = http://www.oscilloscope.net/films/film/83/Its-A-Disaster | title = Oscilloscope.net – It's a Disaster | accessdate = 22 March 2013}}</ref>


His directorial debut film [[Hits (film)|Hits]], premiered at [[2014 Sundance Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Sundance 2014: World Cinema Dramatic Competition|url=http://www.indiewire.com/article/sundance-2014-world-cinema-dramatic-competition|accessdate=January 18, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Hits - Director David Cross|url=http://filmmakermagazine.com/82832-hits-director-david-cross/|accessdate=January 18, 2014}}</ref>
His directorial debut film ''[[Hits (film)|Hits]]'' premiered at [[2014 Sundance Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Sundance 2014: World Cinema Dramatic Competition|url=http://www.indiewire.com/article/sundance-2014-world-cinema-dramatic-competition|accessdate=January 18, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Hits - Director David Cross|url=http://filmmakermagazine.com/82832-hits-director-david-cross/|accessdate=January 18, 2014}}</ref>


==Controversies==
==Controversies==
In October 2005, Cross was sued by Nashville club owner Thomas Weber, who accused Cross of taping him without permission for ''[[Shut Up You Fucking Baby]]'' and ''[[Let America Laugh]]'' in violation of Weber's privacy rights. In April 2006 the case against Cross himself was dismissed and the case proceeded with Warner Music, Subpop Records, WEA Corporation, and the Alternative Distribution Alliance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlny/lawsuit-against-david-cross-warner-music-dismissed_b3024|title=Lawsuit Against David Cross, Warner Music Dismissed|author=Dylan|date=Aug 21, 2006|publisher=[[Mediabistro.com]]|accessdate=Nov 10, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://nashvillestandup.com/thomas-weber-exit-in-dude-sues-david-cross/|title=Thomas Weber (Exit-In dude) sues David Cross|last=Riden|first=Chad|date=Oct 12, 2005|publisher=nashvillestandup.com|accessdate=Nov 10, 2010}}</ref>
In October 2005, Cross was sued by Nashville club owner Thomas Weber, who accused Cross of taping him without permission for ''[[Shut Up You Fucking Baby]]'' and ''[[Let America Laugh]]'' in violation of Weber's privacy rights. In April 2006, the case against Cross himself was dismissed and the case proceeded with Warner Music, Subpop Records, WEA Corporation, and the Alternative Distribution Alliance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlny/lawsuit-against-david-cross-warner-music-dismissed_b3024|title=Lawsuit Against David Cross, Warner Music Dismissed|author=Dylan|date=Aug 21, 2006|publisher=[[Mediabistro.com]]|accessdate=Nov 10, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://nashvillestandup.com/thomas-weber-exit-in-dude-sues-david-cross/|title=Thomas Weber (Exit-In dude) sues David Cross|last=Riden|first=Chad|date=Oct 12, 2005|publisher=nashvillestandup.com|accessdate=Nov 10, 2010}}</ref>


In a 2012 interview with ''[[Playboy]]'' magazine, Cross revealed that he had snorted a small amount of [[cocaine]] at the 2009 White House Correspondents' Dinner. Cross said, "It wasn’t like I got high...It was just about being able to say that I did it, that I did cocaine in the same room as the president."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/david-cross-cocaine-white-house-293785 |title=David Cross Admits to Snorting Cocaine at the White House Correspondents Dinner |first=Erin |last=Carlson |newspaper=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=February 22, 2012}}</ref>
In a 2012 interview with ''[[Playboy]]'' magazine, Cross revealed that he had snorted a small amount of [[cocaine]] at the 2009 White House Correspondents' Dinner. Cross said, "It wasn’t like I got high...It was just about being able to say that I did it, that I did cocaine in the same room as the president."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/david-cross-cocaine-white-house-293785 |title=David Cross Admits to Snorting Cocaine at the White House Correspondents Dinner |first=Erin |last=Carlson |newspaper=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=February 22, 2012}}</ref>
Line 77: Line 76:


====''[[Alvin and the Chipmunks (film)|Alvin and the Chipmunks]]''====
====''[[Alvin and the Chipmunks (film)|Alvin and the Chipmunks]]''====
Responding to critics of his decision to appear in the critically panned, but commercially successful, ''Alvin and the Chipmunks'', Cross noted that the film paid for a summer home,<ref name="netburn">{{cite news | url=http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jan/03/entertainment/et-webcross3 | title=Comedian defends his kid-flick role | work=Los Angeles Times | date=2008-01-03 | accessdate=24 December 2014 | author=Netburn, Deborah | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20091025090716/http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jan/03/entertainment/et-webcross3 | archivedate=2009-10-25}}</ref> and more than "all my other projects combined: book, TV show, the two pilots, ''[[Year One (film)|Year One]]'', yeah."<ref name="sicha">Sicha, Choire. "[http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-ca-conversation14-2009jun14,0,4296916,full.story It's full speed ahead for David Cross]" ''Los Angeles Times'', 14 June 2009.</ref> Although he has admitted to taking the role primarily for the money, he has said that he does not regret doing so or consider it to be "selling out" as he has nothing against entertainment designed for children to enjoy that does not send a bad message.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1pNO9OM2MA |title=Amplified: David Cross Defends 'Chipmunks' |publisher=YouTube |date=2010-05-31 |accessdate=2013-07-01}}</ref> Cross reprised his ''Chipmunks'' role in the film's [[Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel|two]] [[Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked|sequels]]. In 2011, Cross said that making ''Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked'', the third film, was, in contrast, "the most unpleasant experience I've ever had in my professional life." He stated that this was due to clashes with one particular producer involved in the movie that he would not name, though he specified that it was not anyone in the cast, nor the director, and later posted a note to his Facebook page clarifying that it was not executive producers [[Janice Karman]] or [[Ross Bagdasarian, Jr.]] either, whom he stated "were never anything but warm, giving, and gracious" and regretted that some speculated they were the producers to whom he referred.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/david-cross-calls-chip-wrecked-the-most-unpleasant-experience-of-his-career# |title=David Cross Calls 'Chip-Wrecked' 'The Most Unpleasant Experience' Of His Career|first=Gabe |last=Toro |publisher=[[Indiewire|Indiewire.com]]|date=December 14, 2011|accessdate=January 20, 2012}}</ref><ref>https://www.facebook.com/notes/david-cross/please-know-this/10150585183812394</ref><ref>[http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/01/12/chipwrecked-producer-responds 'Chipwrecked' producer responds to David Cross' statements and Facebook apology]</ref>
Responding to critics of his decision to appear in the critically panned, but commercially successful, ''Alvin and the Chipmunks'', Cross noted that the film paid for a summer home,<ref name="netburn">Netburn, Deborah. "[http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jan/03/entertainment/et-webcross3 Comedian defends his kid-flick role]" ''Los Angeles Times'', 3 January 2008.</ref> and more than "all my other projects combined: book, TV show, the two pilots, ''[[Year One (film)|Year One]]'', yeah."<ref name="sicha">Sicha, Choire. "[http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-ca-conversation14-2009jun14,0,4296916,full.story It's full speed ahead for David Cross]" ''Los Angeles Times'', 14 June 2009.</ref> Although he has admitted to taking the role primarily for the money, he has said that he does not regret doing so or consider it to be "selling out" as he has nothing against entertainment designed for children to enjoy that does not send a bad message.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1pNO9OM2MA |title=Amplified: David Cross Defends 'Chipmunks' |publisher=YouTube |date=2010-05-31 |accessdate=2013-07-01}}</ref> Cross reprised his ''Chipmunks'' role in the film's [[Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel|two]] [[Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked|sequels]]. In 2011, Cross said that making ''Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked'', the third film, was, in contrast, "the most unpleasant experience I've ever had in my professional life." He stated that this was due to clashes with one particular producer involved in the movie that he would not name, though he specified that it was not anyone in the cast, nor the director, and later posted a note to his Facebook page clarifying that it was not executive producers [[Janice Karman]] or [[Ross Bagdasarian, Jr.]] either, whom he stated "were never anything but warm, giving, and gracious" and regretted that some speculated they were the producers to whom he referred.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/david-cross-calls-chip-wrecked-the-most-unpleasant-experience-of-his-career# |title=David Cross Calls 'Chip-Wrecked' 'The Most Unpleasant Experience' Of His Career|first=Gabe |last=Toro |publisher=[[Indiewire|Indiewire.com]]|date=December 14, 2011|accessdate=January 20, 2012}}</ref><ref>https://www.facebook.com/notes/david-cross/please-know-this/10150585183812394</ref><ref>[http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/01/12/chipwrecked-producer-responds 'Chipwrecked' producer responds to David Cross' statements and Facebook apology]</ref>

==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Although he was raised [[Jewish]], Cross is now an [[atheist]] and does not practice Judaism.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.avclub.com/content/node/22961 |title=Interview: David Cross|work= [[The A.V. Club]]|date=September 15, 1999}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=981142 |title=Stand-up Comic David Cross |publisher=NPR |date=2003-02-06 |accessdate=2013-07-01}}</ref>
Although he was raised [[Jewish]], Cross is now an [[atheist]] and does not practice Judaism.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.avclub.com/content/node/22961 |title=Interview: David Cross|work= [[The A.V. Club]]|date=September 15, 1999}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=981142 |title=Stand-up Comic David Cross |publisher=NPR |date=2003-02-06 |accessdate=2013-07-01}}</ref>
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Revision as of 12:17, 2 January 2015

David Cross
Cross at the Arrested Development 2011 reunion
Born (1964-04-04) April 4, 1964 (age 60)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Years active1992–present
GenresPolitical satire, Black comedy, Sketch comedy
Spouse
(m. 2012)
Notable works and rolesHost – Mr. Show
Tobias Fünke in Arrested Development
Ian Hawke in Alvin and the Chipmunks
Crane in Kung Fu Panda

David Cross (born April 4, 1964)[3] is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, singer, voice artist, and comedian, known primarily for his standup work, the HBO sketch comedy series Mr. Show, and his role as Tobias Fünke in the sitcom Arrested Development. Cross created, wrote, executive produced, and starred in The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret, developed and had a prominent role in Freak Show, has a recurring role in Modern Family, portrayed Ian Hawke in the Alvin and the Chipmunks film franchise, and voiced Crane in the Kung Fu Panda film franchise.

Early life

Cross was born in Atlanta, Georgia on April 4, 1964, the son of Barry and Susi, whom emigrated from Leeds, England.[4] Six months after his birth, Cross' family moved to Florida. After additional moves to New York and Connecticut, the family settled back in Roswell, Georgia, where Cross remained for nearly a decade. His family was poor and Barry left the family when Cross was 10 years old and the two have not spoken since he was 19, though they both primarily resided in New York City until Cross sold his home there in 2011.[5] Cross and his family were evicted from their home while living in Georgia. He spent some time living in motels and at friends' homes while growing up.[6] He has two sisters and once bailed his youngest sibling out of jail.[7]

Career

Beginnings in comedy

At age 17, Cross began performing stand-up comedy. The day after he graduated from high school, Cross went to New York. Lacking a plan, he drifted around, working briefly for a lawn care company on Long Island, and later enrolled at Emerson College in Boston. He would drop out after only a semester, but during his time there, Cross joined This is Pathetic, a college sketch group, where he met John Ennis. In the summer of 1985, the two aspiring actors took a road trip to Los Angeles, 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".[8]

In 1990, a new comedy scene began to emerge at the famous comedy club chain called Catch a Rising Star (where many of the comedians of the 1970s and 1980s got their start). Alongside Janeane 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 fake hecklers. Cross became increasingly focused on his comedy work.[8] Cross performed at the alternative comedy club Un-Cabaret in Los Angeles.

Cross continues to perform stand-up, in which he blends political commentary and satire.[9] In 1999, he was given his own 1-hour comedy special on HBO entitled The Pride Is Back. He has released three recordings: Shut Up You Fucking Baby!, It's Not Funny, and Bigger and Blackerer. Cross' stand up material was featured in Comedy Central's animated series Shorties Watchin' Shorties. In 2004, Shut Up You Fucking Baby! was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album. 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 appears on Un-Cabaret compilation albums, including Freak Weather Feels Different and The Good, the Bad and the Drugly.

Work on The Ben Stiller Show, Mr. Show and other programs

Cross at the 2007 Plug Awards

Cross began his professional television career as a writer on The 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 met Bob Odenkirk, with whom he would later co-create the HBO sketch comedy series Mr. Show in 1995. Cross won an Emmy for his work on The Ben Stiller Show in 1993.[10]

He later co-starred as Tobias Fünke in Arrested Development, which was originally intended to be only a minor role. He has also played smaller roles on programs such as Just Shoot Me!, The Drew Carey Show, NewsRadio, Strangers with Candy, Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job, and Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Since October 2005, Cross has appeared on Comedy Central's The Colbert Report as Stephen Colbert's nemesis, a fictional liberal radio talk show host from Madison, Wisconsin named "Russ Lieber". Cross also developed an animated series for Comedy Central called Freak Show, which co-starred H. Jon Benjamin and was cancelled due to low ratings. He has appeared several times on Wonder Showzen.

Cross teamed up with Mr. Show director and producer Troy Miller and Odenkirk to produce a feature film Run Ronnie Run, based on one of their Mr. Show characters. The film satirized the reality television craze, and featured cameos from many stars; however, Odenkirk got into conflict with the studio New Line Cinema, and they then released it direct-to-video. In 1994 and again in 1999, Cross was a guest voice actor on Joe 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."[11]

In 2004, Cross provided voices for a Marine in Halo 2 and a store clerk named Zero in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. He was also the voice of the "Happy-Time Harry" doll and Bert Banana in Aqua Teen Hunger Force (although the part was credited as Sir Willups Brightslymoore). Cross has made guest appearances in Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!. He directed the music video for the Black Keys' song "10am Automatic," a spoof of public-access television.

Cross appeared in the Strokes' music video for "Juicebox" as a bad local "morning zoo" radio DJ. He also appeared in the New Pornographers' video for "Use It," in Superchunk's video for "Watery Hands" (along with Janeane Garofalo), and in Yo La Tengo's video for "Sugarcube" (along with Bob Odenkirk and John Ennis). Cross contributes to Vice magazine, writing a column titled "My America."

In 2005, he contributed to the UNICEF benefit song "Do They Know It's Hallowe'en?" and appeared in one of PETA's "I'd Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur" campaigns.[12]

In the Beastie Boys' 2006 concert film Awesome; I Fuckin' Shot That!, Cross portrayed Nathaniel Hörnblowér in the fictional segment "A Day in the Life of Nathaniel Hörnblowér." In I'm Not There, Cross portrayedt Allen Ginsberg. Both Bill Lawrence and Zach Braff of Scrubs were eager to have Cross cameo on the series as Tobias Fünke, but due to the series' cancellation, the plan never came to fruition.[13][14]

Cross provided commentary on the Vicarious music video DVD for Tool. He has previously performed comedy as an opening act for the band and its members appeared on Mr. Show several times. He portrayed Ian Hawke in Alvin and the Chipmunks, Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel, and Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked and voiced Crane in the Kung Fu Panda film franchise.

He starred in a pilot for HBO titled David's Situation, which filmed in May 2008 and included many Mr. Show alumni at the taping. On August 6, 2008, Bob Odenkirk announced on bobanddavid.com that David's Situation would not be produced.

Cross at the 2009 Brooklyn Book Festival

Cross' comedy series The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret (which he co-wrote with Shaun Pye) has run on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom and IFC in the United States.

In 2009, Cross released his first book I Drink for a Reason. The book features memoirs, satirical fictional memoirs, and material from Cross that originally appeared in other publications.[15]

In September 2009, Cross performed at his own comedy stage at the ATP New York 2009 music festival, for which he picked Eugene Mirman, H. Jon Benjamin, Jon Glaser, and Derrick Brown & The Navy Gravy to join him. In the same year, Cross and Benjamin created and wrote for Paid Programming,on Adult Swim. Paid Programming was not picked up for a full series and Benjamin referred to it as an "abject failure".[16]

On March 29, 2010, his first comedy special in 6 years Bigger and Blackerer was streamed on Epix HD. A CD with "slightly different content" was released on May 25, 2010.[17]

Cross starred alongside Julia Stiles and America Ferrera in It's a Disaster, which premiered at the 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival. Oscilloscope Laboratories has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to the film and plans to release it in select theaters, which started on April 13, 2013.[18]

His directorial debut film Hits premiered at 2014 Sundance Film Festival.[19][20]

Controversies

In October 2005, Cross was sued by Nashville club owner Thomas Weber, who accused Cross of taping him without permission for Shut Up You Fucking Baby and Let America Laugh in violation of Weber's privacy rights. In April 2006, the case against Cross himself was dismissed and the case proceeded with Warner Music, Subpop Records, WEA Corporation, and the Alternative Distribution Alliance.[21][22]

In a 2012 interview with Playboy magazine, Cross revealed that he had snorted a small amount of cocaine at the 2009 White House Correspondents' Dinner. Cross said, "It wasn’t like I got high...It was just about being able to say that I did it, that I did cocaine in the same room as the president."[23]

Criticisms

In April 2005, Cross criticized stand-up comedian Larry the Cable Guy in a Rolling Stone interview, saying, "It's a lot of anti-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 and anti-intellectual pride." In response, Larry devoted a chapter in his book GIT-R-DONE to Cross and the "P.C. left", claiming that Cross had "screwed with my fans, it was time for me to say something". Larry claimed that Rolling Stone was baiting comedians to attack him, and they turned to Cross only after Lewis Black refused (due to the fact that Larry and Lewis are good friends[24]). Cross responded with An Open Letter to Larry the Cable Guy posted on his website.[25] He continued to mock Larry in his stand-up, satirizing Blue Collar TV during a guest appearance on Wonder Showzen. In December 2005, he ended his performance on Comedy Central's Last Laugh '05 by mockingly yelling Larry's catchphrase, "GIT-R-DONE!", to the audience as he left the stage. He pokes fun at Larry's comedy in Freak Show with a character called "Danny the Plumber Guy".

Cross has criticized Inside the Actors Studio host James Lipton on a Mr. Show sketch and in his stand-up performance The Pride Is Back, calling him "pretentious."[26] Lipton, who thought that Cross's impression of him was not good-natured, would later appear alongside Cross in Arrested 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.[27] On one commentary track for season four of Mr. 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.

Responding to critics of his decision to appear in the critically panned, but commercially successful, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Cross noted that the film paid for a summer home,[28] and more than "all my other projects combined: book, TV show, the two pilots, Year One, yeah."[29] Although he has admitted to taking the role primarily for the money, he has said that he does not regret doing so or consider it to be "selling out" as he has nothing against entertainment designed for children to enjoy that does not send a bad message.[30] Cross reprised his Chipmunks role in the film's two sequels. In 2011, Cross said that making Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked, the third film, was, in contrast, "the most unpleasant experience I've ever had in my professional life." He stated that this was due to clashes with one particular producer involved in the movie that he would not name, though he specified that it was not anyone in the cast, nor the director, and later posted a note to his Facebook page clarifying that it was not executive producers Janice Karman or Ross Bagdasarian, Jr. either, whom he stated "were never anything but warm, giving, and gracious" and regretted that some speculated they were the producers to whom he referred.[31][32][33]

Personal life

Although he was raised Jewish, Cross is now an atheist and does not practice Judaism.[34][35]

In August 2011, after 2 years of dating, Cross became engaged to Amber Tamblyn.[36] The couple wed on October 6, 2012.[37]

On September 26, 2013, Kickstarter co-founder Yancey Strickler revealed that Cross was the first investor in the crowdfunding platform. Strickler included Cross among the "friends and family" who first financed Kickstarter in 2006.[38]

Discography

Comedy albums

Year Title
2002 Shut Up You Fucking Baby!
2004 It's Not Funny
2010 Bigger and Blackerer

Tour documentary

Year Title
2003 Let America Laugh

Compilation appearances

Year Title
2004 Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1
2005 Invite Them Up
2007 Comedy Death-Ray

Bibliography

Year Title Publisher
2009 I Drink for a Reason Grand Central Publishing, New York (ISBN 978-0-446-57948-3)
2013 Hollywood Said No!

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1995 Destiny Turns on the Radio Ralph Dellaposa
1996 The Truth About Cats & Dogs Male Radio Caller / Bookstore Man
1996 The Cable Guy Sales Manager
1996 Waiting for Guffman UFO Expert
1997 Who's the Caboose? Jaded Guy
1997 Men in Black Newton
1998 Small Soldiers Irwin Wayfair
1998 The Thin Pink Line Tommy Dantsbury
1999 Can't Stop Dancing Chapman
2000 Chain of Fools Andy
2001 Ghost World Gerrold
2001 Dr. Dolittle 2 Dog #2 (voice)
2001 Pootie Tang Pootie Tang imposter
2001 Scary Movie 2 Dwight Hartman
2002 Life Without Dick Rex
2002 Men in Black II Newton
2002 Martin & Orloff Dan Wasserman
2002 Run Ronnie Run Ronnie Writer
DVD Exclusive Award for Best Original Song in a DVD Premiere Movie
2003 Melvin Goes to Dinner Seminar Leader Phoenix Film Festival Copper Wing Award
2004 Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Rob
2006 Awesome; I Fuckin' Shot That! Nathaniel Hörnblowér
2006 She's the Man Principal Gold
2006 Curious George Junior Bloomsberry (voice)
2006 School for Scoundrels Ian Winsky
2007 Crashing Man in Space
2007 The Grand Larry Schwartzman
2007 I'm Not There Allen Ginsberg
2007 Battle for Terra Giddy (voice)
2007 Alvin and the Chipmunks Ian Hawke
2008 The Toe Tactic Timmy (voice)
2008 Futurama: The Beast with a Billion Backs Yivo (voice) Direct-to-video
2008 Kung Fu Panda Crane (voice)
2008 The Legend of Secret Pass Loo (voice)
2009 Meltdown Ham Sandwich Short
2009 Year One Cain
2009 Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel Ian Hawke
2010 Megamind Minion (voice)
2011 Fight For Your Right Revisited Nathaniel Hörnblowér Short
2011 Megamind: The Button of Doom Minion (voice) Short
2011 Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked Ian Hawke
2011 Kung Fu Panda 2 Crane (voice)
2011 Demoted Ken Castro
2012 It's a Disaster Glenn Randolph
2013 Kill Your Darlings Louis Ginsberg
2013 The Gynotician Gynotician Short
Co-writer
2014 Hits Director
2014 Obvious Child Sam
2015 Kung Fu Panda 3 Crane (voice) Post-production
2015 The Wolfpack Project Executive Producer
Post-production
2015 Pitch Perfect 2 Post-Production

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1992–1993 The Ben Stiller Show Various Writer
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program (1993)
1995 A Bucket of Blood Charlie TV movie
1995–1998 Mr. Show with Bob and David Host/Various Co-creator, writer, executive producer
Nominated – 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 Co-creator, writer, executive producer
1998 Hercules Fear (voice) Episode: "Hercules and the Owl of Athens"
1999–2000, 2003 Just Shoot Me! Donnie DiMauro 3 episodes
2000 Strangers with Candy Dr. Trepanning Episode: "Is My Daddy Crazy?"
2001 Home Movies Guy in Grocery Store (voice) Episode: "Brendon's Choice"
2002–2003, 2008 Aqua Teen Hunger Force Happy Time Harry / Bert Banana (voices) 3 episodes
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 Arrested Development Dr. Tobias Fünke 60 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 (voice) 7 episodes
2006 O'Grady Randy Harnisch (voice) Episode: "Big Jerk on Campus"
2006 Wonder Showzen T-Totaled Timbo / Junkyard Jessip / Storytime Hostage 3 episodes
2006 Freak Show Benny / Primi / Various voices Co-creator, writer, executive producer
2006 Family Guy Jerry Kirkwood (voice) Episode: "Prick Up Your Ears"
2007–2008 Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! Pizza Boy / Pussy Doodles Artist / Lou 3 episodes
2007 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Ronnie Chase Episode: "Bombshell"
2007 Odd Job Jack Julius J Episode: "King Ho"
2008 David's Situation David Failed pilot
Co-Creator, writer
2008 Human Giant Peter Burns 2 episodes
2009 Important Things with Demetri Martin Co-worker Episode: "Chairs"
2009 Paid Programming Failed pilot
Co-creator
2010–2011 Running Wilde Dr. Andy Weeks 7 episodes
2010–2012 The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret Todd Margaret Creator, writer, associate producer
2011 Archer Noah (voice) 3 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 Chef / Himself 2 Episodes
2013 The Heart, She Holler Jack 10 episodes
2014 Rick and Morty Prince Nebulon (voice) Episode: "M. Night Shaym-Aliens!"
2014 Community Hank Hickey Episode: "Advanced Advanced Dungeons & Dragons"
2014 Dead Boss Derek Bridges Pilot
2014 Maron Himself Episode: "Marc's Family"
2014 Jessie Brun Episode: "Ride to Riches"

Music videos

Year Title Role
1997 "Watery Hands" by Superchunk Actor
1997 "Sugarcube" by Yo La Tengo Actor
2004 "10 A.M. Automatic" by The Black Keys Director
2005 "Juicebox" by The Strokes Actor
2005 "Use It" by The New Pornographers Actor
2006 "Vicarious" DVD by Tool Commentary
2011 "Make Some Noise" by Beastie Boys Actor

Video games

Year Title Role Notes
2004 Halo 2 Marine (voice) G-Phoria Award for Best Voice Male Performance
2004 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Zero (voice)
2009 Brütal Legend The Screamer (voice)

References

  1. ^ Cross in Guildford, Simon (Undated. Interview conducted June 21, 2007). "Does Anybody Remember Laughter?". SimonGuildford.com. Archived from the original on 2014-04-08. 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. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ "Profile in Comedy: David Cross - Comedy Writing".
  3. ^ LeVasseur, Andrea. "David Cross". All Movie Guide via The New York Times. Retrieved January 2, 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ "'While I'm doing Alvin And The Chipmunks, I'm thinking of awful risque things': Interview with David Cross". Chortle.com.uk. October 29, 2010.
  5. ^ "WTF with Marc Maron Podcast – Episode 269 – David Cross". Retrieved April 19, 2012.
  6. ^ Adam Carolla Podcast Interview
  7. ^ "David Cross 10/7/2010". Adam Carolla Show. Archived from the original on July 23, 2011.
  8. ^ a b Odenkirk, Naomi. (2002). Mr. Show What Happened?! Beverly Hills, CA: The Management Group. ISBN 9713597-8-4
  9. ^ "David Cross Biography – Yahoo! Movies". Movies.yahoo.com. 1964-04-04. Retrieved 2010-09-14.
  10. ^ Deutsch, Ron (1999-10-08). "Something Completely Different". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
  11. ^ "Joe Frank: A Conversation". KCRW: UnFictional. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  12. ^ Bruna Nessif, "Blast from the Past: Funnyman David Cross Wears His Own Fur in Never Nude PETA Ad," EOnline, 22 May 2013.
  13. ^ Mischalova (Sep 6, 2006). "Zach Braff on Scrubs, Fletch and Being Goofy". The Hollywood Gossip.com. Retrieved Oct 3, 2010. 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.
  14. ^ "Scrubs: Zach May Come Back & An Arrested Development Guest?". TV Series Finale.com. Sep 9, 2006. Retrieved Oct 3, 2010. 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."
  15. ^ "I Drink for a Reason". Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  16. ^ Heisler, Steve (4 February 2011). "Random Roles H. Jon Benjamin". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 5 February 2011.
  17. ^ "David Cross- new CD/DVD announced". idiomag. Retrieved 2010-03-30.
  18. ^ "Oscilloscope.net – It's a Disaster". Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  19. ^ "Sundance 2014: World Cinema Dramatic Competition". Retrieved January 18, 2014.
  20. ^ "Hits - Director David Cross". Retrieved January 18, 2014.
  21. ^ Dylan (Aug 21, 2006). "Lawsuit Against David Cross, Warner Music Dismissed". Mediabistro.com. Retrieved Nov 10, 2010.
  22. ^ Riden, Chad (Oct 12, 2005). "Thomas Weber (Exit-In dude) sues David Cross". nashvillestandup.com. Retrieved Nov 10, 2010.
  23. ^ Carlson, Erin (February 22, 2012). "David Cross Admits to Snorting Cocaine at the White House Correspondents Dinner". The Hollywood Reporter.
  24. ^ Ullman, Ethan (24 March 2010). "Interview with comedian Lewis Black". Albany Student Press. Retrieved 24 July 2013. And we totally don't agree on politics, but he's a friend of mine.
  25. ^ An Open Letter to Larry the Cable Guy
  26. ^ The Pride Is Back, track: "James Lipton"
  27. ^ Will Harris. "A Couple of Questions with James Lipton" Premium Hollywood; May 24, 2007
  28. ^ Netburn, Deborah. "Comedian defends his kid-flick role" Los Angeles Times, 3 January 2008.
  29. ^ Sicha, Choire. "It's full speed ahead for David Cross" Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2009.
  30. ^ "Amplified: David Cross Defends 'Chipmunks'". YouTube. 2010-05-31. Retrieved 2013-07-01.
  31. ^ Toro, Gabe (December 14, 2011). "David Cross Calls 'Chip-Wrecked' 'The Most Unpleasant Experience' Of His Career". Indiewire.com. Retrieved January 20, 2012. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  32. ^ https://www.facebook.com/notes/david-cross/please-know-this/10150585183812394
  33. ^ 'Chipwrecked' producer responds to David Cross' statements and Facebook apology
  34. ^ "Interview: David Cross". The A.V. Club. September 15, 1999.
  35. ^ "Stand-up Comic David Cross". NPR. 2003-02-06. Retrieved 2013-07-01.
  36. ^ Silverman, Stephen M.; Jordan, Julie (August 17, 2011). "David Cross & Amber Tamblyn Are Engaged". People.
  37. ^ Fowler, Brandi (October 7, 2012). "Amber Tamblyn and David Cross Get Married!". E! Online. Retrieved October 8, 2012.
  38. ^ Glenn Fleishman (September 26, 2013). "And the Crowdfund Goes Wild". The New Disruptors (Podcast). Retrieved September 27, 2013.

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