
David Hyde Pierce
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









Credits
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Mouse Future★ NR
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The Exorcism 2024Father Conor★ 5.1
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Julia 2022Paul Child★ 7.3
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Stars in the House 2020Self★ NR
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The Lavender Scare 2019Dr. Franklin E. Kameny (voice)★ 6.3
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Henry Neumann★ 6.4
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When We Rise 2017Dr. Jones★ 6.6
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Self★ 4.3
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Self★ 6.4
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Henry Neumann★ 6.4
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Vanya★ NR
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Self - Host★ 8
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The Perfect Host 2010Warwick Wilson★ 6.4
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The Good Wife 2009Frank Prady★ 7.6
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Forever Plaid 2009The Narrator★ 8
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Stingray Sam 2009Narrator★ 6.7
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Self★ 6.5
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Emperor Zombie (voice)★ 6.8
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self★ NR
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Celebrity Mix 2005Self (archive footage)★ NR
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Niles Crane★ 8.7
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Hellboy 2004Abe Sapien (voice) (uncredited)★ 6.7
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★ 5.1
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Gary the Rat 2003Addison★ 6.5
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Down with Love 2003Peter MacMannus★ 6.1
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★ 7
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Treasure Planet 2002Doctor Doppler (voice)★ 7.6
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Full Frontal 2002Carl★ 4.6
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Laud Weiner 2002Laud Weiner★ 7
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Osmosis Jones 2001Drix (voice)★ 6.5
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Henry★ 6.3
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On the Edge 2001Barney (segment "Happy Birthday")★ 6.1
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Chain of Fools 2001Mr. Kerner★ 5.8
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Bird (voice)★ 6.7
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Titus 2000★ 7
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Isn't She Great 2000Michael Hastings★ 4.8
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The Narrator★ 6
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Jackie's Back! 1999Perry (The Deaf Rehearsal Pianist)★ 7.8
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A Bug's Life 1998Slim (voice)★ 7
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Hercules 1998Daedalus★ 6.8
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Niles Crane★ 5.8
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Nixon 1995John Dean★ 6.9
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★ NR
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★ 6
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Caroline in the City 1995Dr. Niles Crane★ 6.4
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The Outer Limits 1995Dr. Jack Henson★ 7.7
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Puss (voice)★ 6
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Wolf 1994Roy McCallister★ 6.1
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Addams Family Values 1993Delivery Room Doctor★ 7
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Frasier 1993Niles Crane★ 7.7
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Sleepless in Seattle 1993Dennis Reed★ 6.7
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The Powers That Be 1992Theodore Van Horne★ 8.3
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The Fisher King 1991Lou Rosen★ 7.3
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Little Man Tate 1991Garth Emmerick★ 6.6
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Dream On 1990Jerry Dorfer★ 6.9
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The Simpsons 1989Cecil Terwilliger (voice)★ 8
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Vampire's Kiss 1989Theater Guy★ 5.9
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Knightwatch 1988Gibson★ 5
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Businessman★ 6.5
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Rocket Gibraltar 1988Monsieur Henri★ 5.9
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Crossing Delancey 1988Mark★ 5.9
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Bartender at Fashion Show★ 5.7
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Spenser: For Hire 1985★ 6.7
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Moving Violations 1985Immigration Officer★ 5.5
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Tony Awards 1956Self - Presenter★ 4.6
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The Emmy Awards 1949Self★ 7.6