David Hyde Pierce
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- Apr 3, 1959 (age 67)
- Place of birth
- Saratoga Springs, New York, USA
- Credits
- 88
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.
Known for
The Simpsons
1989TV
Cecil Terwilliger (voice), Felix (voice)
A Bug's Life
1998Movie
Slim (voice)
Hellboy
2004Movie
Abe Sapien (voice) (uncredited)
Treasure Planet
2002Movie
Doctor Doppler (voice)
Addams Family Values
1993Movie
Delivery Room Doctor
Sleepless in Seattle
1993Movie
Dennis Reed
Filmography
Mouse
2026Movie
Mr. Murdaugh
This Ordinary Thing
2025Movie
Self (voice)
The Exorcism
2024Movie
Father Conor
Julia
2022TV
Paul Child
Stars in the House
2020TV
Self
The Lavender Scare
2019Movie
Dr. Franklin E. Kameny (voice)
Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later
2017TV
Henry Neumann
Julie's Greenroom
2017TV
David Hyde Pierce
When We Rise
2017TV
Dr. Jones
Must See TV: An All Star Tribute to James Burrows
2016Movie
Self
Hurricane of Fun: The Making of Wet Hot
2015Movie
Self
Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp
2015TV
Henry Neumann
Sharon Isbin: Troubadour
2014Movie
David Hyde Pierce Self - interviewee
Late Night with Seth Meyers
2014TV
Self
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
2012Movie
Vanya
Sondheim! The Birthday Concert
2010Movie
Self - Host
The Perfect Host
2010Movie
Warwick Wilson
The Good Wife
2009TV
Frank Prady
Forever Plaid
2009Movie
The Narrator
Stingray Sam
2009Movie
Narrator
Monty Python Conquers America
2008Movie
Self
The Graham Norton Show
2007TV
Self
The Megan Mullally Show
2006TV
Self - Guest
The Amazing Screw-On Head
2006Movie
Emperor Zombie (voice)
World's Greatest Stand Up: Volume One
2006Movie
self
Celebrity Mix
2005Movie
Self (archive footage)
The Tony Danza Show
2004TV
Self
Frasier: Analyzing the Laughter
2004Movie
Niles Crane
Hellboy
2004Movie
Abe Sapien (voice) (uncredited)
The Celebrity Apprentice
2004TV
Self
Gary the Rat
2003TV
Behind the Couch: The Making of 'Frasier'
2003Movie
Self
Down with Love
2003Movie
Peter MacMannus
The Shakespeare Sessions
2003Movie
Treasure Planet
2002Movie
Doctor Doppler (voice)
Full Frontal
2002Movie
Carl
Laud Weiner
2002Movie
Laud Weiner
Osmosis Jones
2001Movie
Drix (voice)
Wet Hot American Summer
2001Movie
Henry
On the Edge
2001Movie
Barney (segment "Happy Birthday")
Chain of Fools
2001Movie
Mr. Kerner
The Tangerine Bear: Home in Time for Christmas!
2000Movie
Bird (voice)
Titus
2000TV
Jerry October
Isn't She Great
2000Movie
Michael Hastings
The Mating Habits of the Earthbound Human
1999Movie
The Narrator
Jackie's Back!
1999Movie
Perry (The Deaf Rehearsal Pianist)
The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn
1999TV
Self - Guest
The Frasier Story
1999Movie
Self
A Bug's Life
1998Movie
Slim (voice)
Hercules
1998TV
Daedalus, Daedalus (voice)
The View
1997TV
Self, Self - Guest
Star Trek: 30 Years and Beyond
1996Movie
Niles Crane
Mighty Ducks: The Animated Series
1996TV
Baron Von Lichtenstamp (voice)
Nixon
1995Movie
John Dean
The Adventures of Hyperman
1995TV
The World of James Bond
1995Movie
Self
Caroline in the City
1995TV
Dr. Niles Crane, Jimmy Callahan
The Outer Limits
1995TV
Dr. Jack Henson
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
1995TV
Puss (voice)
Wolf
1994Movie
Roy McCallister
Addams Family Values
1993Movie
Delivery Room Doctor
Frasier
1993TV
Niles Crane
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
1993TV
Self - Guest
Late Show with David Letterman
1993TV
Self - Guest
Sleepless in Seattle
1993Movie
Dennis Reed
GMTV
1993TV
Self
Storytime
1992TV
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
1992TV
Self
The Powers That Be
1992TV
Theodore Van Horne
The Fisher King
1991Movie
Lou Rosen
Little Man Tate
1991Movie
Garth Emmerick
Dream On
1990TV
Jerry Dorfer
The Simpsons
1989TV
Cecil Terwilliger (voice), Felix (voice)
Vampire's Kiss
1989Movie
Theater Guy
Knightwatch
1988TV
Gibson
The Appointments of Dennis Jennings
1988Movie
Businessman
LIVE with Kelly and Mark
1988TV
Self - Guest
Rocket Gibraltar
1988Movie
Monsieur Henri
Crossing Delancey
1988Movie
Mark
Bright Lights, Big City
1988Movie
Bartender at Fashion Show
Spenser: For Hire
1985TV
O'Neill
Moving Violations
1985Movie
Immigration Officer
Saturday Night Live
1975TV
Self - Host
Tony Awards
1956TV
Self - Presenter
Today
1952TV
Self
The Emmy Awards
1949TV
Self
Golden Globe Awards
1944TV
Self - Nominee
Vivien & the Florist
Movie
John Gielgud