David Cross

Main article: [David Cross]

David Cross (born April 4, 1964) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and television producer. He is best known for his funny stand-up shows and for his work on the HBO comedy series Mr. Show with Bob and David. People also remember him for playing the character Tobias Fünke in the popular Fox/Netflix show Arrested Development.

Cross has appeared in many movies and TV shows. He played the character Ian Hawke in the first three Alvin and the Chipmunks films. He also created and starred in The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret and had roles in Modern Family and Freak Show.

In addition to his live performances and TV work, Cross has done voice acting for several animated movies. He provided voices for films like Curious George, Battle for Terra, the Kung Fu Panda film franchise, Megamind, and Next Gen.

Cross has won and been nominated for many awards for his work. In 1993, he won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series for his writing on The Ben Stiller Show. He has also been nominated for several Grammy Awards for his stand-up specials.

Early life

David Cross was born in Roswell, Georgia, to Jewish parents, Barry and Susi Cross. His father grew up in Leeds, England. When David was six months old, his family moved to Florida. They also lived in New York and Connecticut before moving back to Roswell for ten years. David is the oldest of three children and has two younger sisters.

The family did not have much money. Sometimes they had to leave their home and stay in motels or friends’ homes. When David was 10, his father left the family. They did not speak again after David turned 19. Both his father and David lived in New York City until David sold his home there in 2011.

Career

David Cross started in stand-up comedy when he was about 17 years old. After finishing high school in Atlanta, he moved to New York City. He later went to Emerson College in Boston. He did stand-up comedy in Boston during the 1980s and 1990s. He became famous for his funny takes on politics and current events.

Cross became well-known for creating and acting in the HBO sketch comedy show Mr. Show with Bob and David (Mr. Show) with Bob Odenkirk. He also played fun characters like Tobias Fünke in the Arrested Development show on Fox and Netflix. He acted as Ian Hawke in the first three Alvin and the Chipmunks movies. Over his career, Cross has made comedy albums, acted in many TV shows and movies, and done voice acting in animated series.

Influences

David Cross says many comedians and comedy groups inspired his work. These include Bill Hicks, Andy Kaufman, Monty Python's Flying Circus, Lou Costello, Steven Wright, Richard Pryor, and Lenny Bruce. They helped shape his special style of stand-up comedy and storytelling.

Controversies

David Cross had some public disagreements during his career. In 2005, he was sued by a club manager for recording him without permission. The lawsuit was later dropped.

In 2017, Cross said he was sorry after reports that he had made comments that were not kind to comedian Charlyne Yi many years before. He said he was trying to copy a Southern way of talking.

That same year, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said they were upset about a tweet from Cross.

Cross also talked about other comedians. In 2005, he said he did not like the way Larry the Cable Guy made some jokes. Larry wrote about this in his book. Cross also said things about the host James Lipton of Inside the Actors Studio, but they became friends later when they worked together on Arrested Development.

Some fans were unhappy with Cross for playing a character in the Alvin and the Chipmunks movies. He later said he did not enjoy making the third movie, Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked.

Personal life

David Cross married actress Amber Tamblyn in 2012, and they had a daughter in 2017. He grew up Jewish but later became an atheist.

Cross was one of the first investors in the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter in 2006. He is good friends with the band Beastie Boys. He was featured in their song "Ch-Check It Out" and their music video for "Make Some Noise". He also appeared in the documentary Beastie Boys Story. Cross holds citizenship in both the United States and Britain.

Views

David Cross has shared his political views, saying he leans more toward socialist Democrat ideas rather than centrist ones. In 2016, he praised Senator Bernie Sanders and said he liked him even before Sanders ran for President. In 2021, he appeared in a video for the Gravel Institute, a progressive think tank.

In 2023, Cross signed a letter calling for a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza War. He also spoke about the state of Israel, calling it unfair. He criticized comedians who performed at the Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia, saying their government was very unfair and urging people to support the Human Rights Foundation.

Discography

David Cross has released several comedy albums. These albums have his stand-up routines and funny ideas. They show his talent as a comedian.

He has also been on many comedy compilations. This lets more people enjoy his comedy. His work in albums and compilations keeps entertaining his fans.