David Schwimmer - Actor Profile

David Schwimmer

Acting
Freshness: Jan 19, 2026
42Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Nov 2, 1966
Birth Place: New York City, New York, USA

About David Schwimmer

David Lawrence Schwimmer (born November 2, 1966) is an American actor and director of television and film. He was born in New York, and his family moved to Los Angeles when he was two. He began his acting career performing in school plays at Beverly Hills High School. In 1988, he graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in theater and speech. After graduation, Schwimmer co-founded the Lookingglass Theatre Company. For much of the late-1980s, he lived in Los Angeles as a struggling, unemployed actor. He appeared in the television movie A Deadly Silence in 1989. He then appeared in a number of television roles, including L.A. Law, The Wonder Years, NYPD Blue, and Monty in the early 1990s. Schwimmer later gained worldwide recognition for playing Ross Geller in the situation comedy Friends. Aside from appearing in television, he starred in his first leading role in The Pallbearer (1996), which was followed by roles in Kissing a Fool (1998), Six Days Seven Nights (1998), Apt Pupil, and Picking Up the Pieces (2000). He was then cast in the miniseries Band of Brothers (2001) as Herbert Sobel. Following the series finale of Friends in 2004, Schwimmer was cast as the titular character in the 2005 drama Duane Hopwood. Other film roles include the computer animated film Madagascar (2005), the dark comedy Big Nothing (2006), the thriller Nothing But the Truth (2008), and Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008). Schwimmer made his London stage debut in the leading role in Some Girl(s) in 2005. In 2006, he made his Broadway debut in The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial. Schwimmer made his feature film directorial debut with the 2007 comedy Run Fatboy Run. The following year he made his Off-Broadway directorial debut in the 2008 production Fault Lines. Description above from the Wikipedia article David Schwimmer, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of David Schwimmer reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 42 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Comedy

The majority of David Schwimmer's filmography leans towards the Comedy genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 40% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), David Schwimmer remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Little Death, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best David Schwimmer Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from David Schwimmer's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of David Schwimmer.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2025 Matthew Perry: A Hollywood Tragedy Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2024 Little Death Martin Solomon Super Hit Similar →
2022 David Baddiel: Jews Don't Count Self Super Hit Similar →
2022 The Fringe, Fame and Me Self Flop Similar →
2021 Friends: The Reunion Self Super Hit Similar →
2019 The Laundromat Matthew Quirk Average Similar →
2019 Friends 25th: The One with the Anniversary Ross Geller Super Hit Similar →
2018 That's Harassment Boss Super Hit Similar →
2016 Must See TV: An All Star Tribute to James Burrows Self Flop Similar →
2013 Madly Madagascar Melman (voice) Hit Similar →
2012 The Iceman Josh Rosenthal Hit Similar →
2012 Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted Melman (voice) Hit Similar →
2012 National Lampoon's Another Dirty Movie Self (uncredited) Flop Similar →
2012 John Carter Young Thark Warrior Average Similar →
2009 Merry Madagascar Melman (voice) Hit Similar →
2008 Nothing But the Truth Ray Armstrong Hit Similar →
2008 Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa Melman (voice) Hit Similar →
2006 Big Nothing Charlie Average Similar →
2005 Duane Hopwood Duane Hopwood Average Similar →
2005 Madagascar Melman (voice) Hit Similar →
2002 NBC 75th Anniversary Special Self Flop Similar →
2001 Uprising Icchak 'Antek' Cukierman Hit Similar →
2001 Hotel Jonathan Danderfine Flop Similar →
2001 The Making of 'Band of Brothers' Self Hit Similar →
2000 Picking Up the Pieces Father Leo Jerome Flop Similar →
2000 Love & Sex Jehovah's Witness Average Similar →
1999 It's the Rage Chris Flop Similar →
1998 Apt Pupil Edward French Hit Similar →
1998 The Thin Pink Line Kelly Goodich / J.T. Flop Similar →
1998 Six Days Seven Nights Frank Martin Average Similar →
1998 Since You've Been Gone Robert S. Levitt Flop Similar →
1998 Kissing a Fool Max Abbitt Average Similar →
1997 Breast Men Dr. Kevin Saunders Flop Similar →
1997 Happy Birthday Elizabeth: A Celebration of Life Self Hit Similar →
1996 The Pallbearer Tom Thompson Flop Similar →
1994 Wolf Cop Average Similar →
1993 Twenty Bucks Neil Campbell Average Similar →
1993 The Waiter Evil Waiter Flop Similar →
1992 Crossing the Bridge John Anderson Average Similar →
1991 Flight of the Intruder Duty Officer Average Similar →
1989 A Deadly Silence Rob Cuccio Average Similar →
N/A A Sprinkle of History Bill Rosenberg Flop Similar →

David Schwimmer - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of David Schwimmer?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring David Schwimmer is "Little Death" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has David Schwimmer acted in?

David Schwimmer has been featured in at least 42 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by David Schwimmer?

Other notable films include "David Baddiel: Jews Don't Count", "That's Harassment", and "Friends 25th: The One with the Anniversary".