---
name: "David Schwimmer"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/david-schwimmer"
fi1m_id: "david-schwimmer"
imdb_id: "nm0001710"
tmdb_id: 14409
wikidata_id: "Q188792"
roles: ["Actor","Director"]
born: "2 November 1966"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 12
average_fi1m_score: 69
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 9
updated: "2026-10-23T04:01:02.007692+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# David Schwimmer

## Identity

David Schwimmer

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/david-schwimmer
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** david-schwimmer
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001710
- **TMDB ID:** 14409
- **Wikidata ID:** Q188792
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Schwimmer, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q188792, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001710/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/14409

Actor and director. Born 2 November 1966 in New York City, New York, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor, Director
- **Born:** 2 November 1966, New York City, New York, USA
- **Active:** 1988–present
- **Also known as:** David Lawrence Schwimmer, Snaro
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 12: 9 acting, 1 directing, 1 producing, 1 other
- **Frequently works with:** [Ben Stiller](https://film.one/person/ben-stiller.md), [Chris Rock](https://film.one/person/chris-rock.md), [Eric Darnell](https://film.one/person/eric-darnell.md), [Jada Pinkett Smith](https://film.one/person/jada-pinkett-smith.md), [Matt LeBlanc](https://film.one/person/matt-leblanc.md), [Mireille Soria](https://film.one/person/mireille-soria.md), [Sacha Baron Cohen](https://film.one/person/sacha-baron-cohen.md), [Tom McGrath](https://film.one/person/tom-mcgrath.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 69, as actor, over 9 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 82 (1), 1990s 69 (2), 2000s 70 (3), 2010s 62 (5), 2020s 58 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 68 to 65 across 6 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 6 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 6 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 6, Drama 5, Family 4, Adventure 3, Animation 3, Crime 2
- **Screen time:** 8 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $2,024m across 4 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Schwimmer, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q188792, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001710/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/14409

## Coming up

- *A Sprinkle of History* (2027-12-24), as Bill Rosenberg

## Streaming the US now

- **HBO Max:** [*Band of Brothers*](https://film.one/tv/band-of-brothers.md) (89), [*Friends*](https://film.one/tv/friends.md) (78), [*Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted*](https://film.one/film/madagascar-3-europes-most-wanted.md) (71), [*Friends: The Reunion*](https://film.one/film/friends-the-reunion.md) (58)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa*](https://film.one/film/madagascar-escape-2-africa.md) (62), [*Madagascar*](https://film.one/film/madagascar.md) (60)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Episodes*](https://film.one/tv/episodes.md) (72)
- **Netflix:** [*The Laundromat*](https://film.one/film/the-laundromat.md) (48)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on David Schwimmer

> David Schwimmer can use the familiarity of his comic persona to make an unsympathetic dramatic role more unsettling. *Band of Brothers* is our strongest recommendation; *The Laundromat* offers much less reason to follow him away from Ross Geller.

David Schwimmer is giving orders in *Band of Brothers* (2001), as the strict drill instructor Herbert M. Sobel. That performance has to contend with memories of Ross Geller in *Friends* (1994–2004). We found his severity unsettling because we kept expecting the comic performer to give us a little relief. The casting works partly because Schwimmer does not need to become unrecognisable to make us uncomfortable.

The sitcom made his name, but it also made it easy to underestimate how deliberately he works. His physical comedy is choreographed; the timing matters as much as the line. That discipline makes sense for an actor whose work with the Lookingglass Theatre Company remains collaborative and ensemble-led. He took Sobel while *Friends* was still running, so the move into drama did not wait for the sitcom to finish. He went on to voice Melman in *Madagascar* (2005) and later played Robert Kardashian in *American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson* (2016), continuing to seek work beyond the part that made him familiar.

In *Band of Brothers*, he also has the advantage of a drama prepared to spend time on an ensemble. Damian Lewis anchors the series, and its patient attention to the men of Easy Company gives the performances room to develop. Schwimmer's sternness gives the other men someone to react against, keeping his performance useful to the story rather than making his change of direction the main attraction. The action and music sometimes overstate things, but the acting gives us good reason to stay with all ten episodes.

Steven Soderbergh's *The Laundromat* (2019) gives him much less useful space. As Matthew Quirk, he appears alongside Jeffrey Wright among the links in the chain that Meryl Streep's Ellen Martin follows while trying to establish who owes her money. Streep's growing anger is the film's strongest material, and Soderbergh moves away from it too soon; Schwimmer's presence cannot make that wandering structure satisfying. Start with *Band of Brothers* for the dramatic work, and do not choose *The Laundromat* merely because his name is in the cast.

## Biography

David Schwimmer is an American actor and director. He was born on 2 November 1966 in New York City and raised in Los Angeles. He graduated from Northwestern University in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts in theatre and speech, and co-founded the Lookingglass Theatre Company in Chicago that year.

Schwimmer gained international recognition for his role as Ross Geller in the television series *Friends* (1994–2004). His other notable credits include the voice of Melman in the *Madagascar* films (2005, 2008, 2012), Herbert M. Sobel in the miniseries *Band of Brothers* (2001), and Matthew Quirk in the film *The Laundromat* (2019). He has also directed episodes of *Friends* and other projects.

*Sources: imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org, britannica.com.*

## On Fi1m (12)

### Performed in (9) — the average rests on these

- *The Laundromat* (2019), Fi1m 48, as Matthew Quirk — [page](https://film.one/film/the-laundromat.md)
- *American Crime Story* (2016), Fi1m 78, as Robert Kardashian — [page](https://film.one/tv/american-crime-story.md)
- *Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted* (2012), Fi1m 71, as Melman (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/madagascar-3-europes-most-wanted.md)
- *Episodes* (2011), Fi1m 72, as David Schwimmer — [page](https://film.one/tv/episodes.md)
- *Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa* (2008), Fi1m 62, as Melman (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/madagascar-escape-2-africa.md)
- *Madagascar* (2005), Fi1m 60, as Melman (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/madagascar.md)
- *Band of Brothers* (2001), Fi1m 89, as Herbert M. Sobel — [page](https://film.one/tv/band-of-brothers.md)
- *Wolf* (1994), Fi1m 60, as Cop — [page](https://film.one/film/wolf.md)
- *The Wonder Years* (1988), Fi1m 82, as Michael — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-wonder-years.md)

### Directed (1)

- *Friends* (1994), Fi1m 78, as Ross Geller — [page](https://film.one/tv/friends.md)

### Produced (1)

- *Friends: The Reunion* (2021), Fi1m 58, as Self — [page](https://film.one/film/friends-the-reunion.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *Come Fly with Me* (2010), Fi1m 42, as Himself — [page](https://film.one/tv/come-fly-with-me.md)

## Complete filmography (62)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *A Sprinkle of History* (2027), as Bill Rosenberg
- *Goosebumps: The Vanishing* (2025), series, as Anthony Brewer
- *Little Death* (2024), as Martin Solomon
- *Captain Fall* (2023), series, Actor
- *Extrapolations* (2023), series, as Harris Goldblatt
- *Friends: The Reunion* (2021), Executive Producer — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/friends-the-reunion.md)
- *Intelligence* (2020), series, as Jerry · Executive Producer
- *Mysterious Planet* (2020), series, as Narrator
- *The Laundromat* (2019), as Matthew Quirk — Fi1m 48, [page](https://film.one/film/the-laundromat.md)
- *Friends 25th: The One with the Anniversary* (2019), as Ross Geller
- *National Theatre Live: LOVE* (2018), Executive Producer
- *That's Harassment* (2018), as Boss · Executive Producer
- *Will & Grace* (2017), series, as Noah
- *Feed the Beast* (2016), series, as Tommy Moran
- *American Crime Story* (2016), series, as Robert Kardashian — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/american-crime-story.md)
- *Growing Up Fisher* (2014), series, Director
- *Madly Madagascar* (2013), as Melman (voice)
- *Dreamworks: Holiday Classics* (2012), as Melman (voice)
- *The Iceman* (2012), as Josh Rosenthal
- *Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted* (2012), as Melman (voice) — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/madagascar-3-europes-most-wanted.md)
- *John Carter* (2012), as Young Thark Warrior
- *Web Therapy* (2011), series, as Newell L. Miller
- *Episodes* (2011), series, as David Schwimmer — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/episodes.md)
- *Trust* (2010), Producer, Director
- *Merry Madagascar* (2009), as Melman (voice)
- *Nothing But the Truth* (2008), as Ray Armstrong
- *Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa* (2008), as Melman (voice) — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/madagascar-escape-2-africa.md)
- *Little Britain USA* (2008), series, Director
- *Run Fatboy Run* (2007), Director
- *Big Nothing* (2006), as Charlie
- *30 Rock* (2006), series, as Greenzo / Jared — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/30-rock.md)
- *Duane Hopwood* (2005), as Duane Hopwood
- *Madagascar* (2005), as Melman (voice) — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/madagascar.md)
- *New Car Smell* (2005), Director
- *Joey* (2004), series, Director
- *Entourage* (2004), series, as David Schwimmer — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/entourage.md)
- *Uprising* (2001), as Icchak 'Antek' Cukierman
- *Uprising* (2001), series, as Icchak 'Antek' Cukierman
- *Hotel* (2001), as Jonathan Danderfine
- *Band of Brothers* (2001), series, as Herbert M. Sobel — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/tv/band-of-brothers.md)
- *Curb Your Enthusiasm* (2000), series, as David Schwimmer — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/curb-your-enthusiasm.md)
- *It's the Rage* (2000), as Chris
- *Picking Up the Pieces* (2000), as Father Leo Jerome
- *Love & Sex* (2000), as Jehovah's Witness
- *Apt Pupil* (1998), as Edward French
- *The Thin Pink Line* (1998), as Kelly Goodich / J.T.
- *Six Days Seven Nights* (1998), as Frank Martin
- *Since You've Been Gone* (1998), as Robert S. Levitt · Director
- *Kissing a Fool* (1998), as Max Abbitt · Executive Producer
- *Breast Men* (1997), as Dr. Kevin Saunders
- *The Pallbearer* (1996), as Tom Thompson
- *The Single Guy* (1995), series, as Ross Geller
- *Friends* (1994), series, as Ross Geller · Director — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/friends.md)
- *Wolf* (1994), as Cop — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/wolf.md)
- *Monty* (1994), series, as Greg Richardson
- *Twenty Bucks* (1993), as Neil Campbell
- *The Waiter* (1993), as Evil Waiter
- *Crossing the Bridge* (1992), as John Anderson
- *Flight of the Intruder* (1991), as Duty Officer
- *A Deadly Silence* (1989), as Rob Cuccio
- *The Wonder Years* (1988), series, as Michael — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-wonder-years.md)
- *L.A. Law* (1986), series, as Dana Romney, City Attorney Dana Romney

## Gallery

- ![David Schwimmer at the Festival Du Cinema Americain De Deauville 2011.](https://film.one/media/person/9295/gallery-8b02ee0ebf72.jpg) David Schwimmer at the Festival Du Cinema Americain De Deauville 2011. — Philippe Berdalle, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c2/David_Schwimmer%2C_2011.jpg/1280px-David_Schwimmer%2C_2011.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![David Schwimmer at the premiere of Run, Fat Boy, Run, at the Walter Reade Theater in New York City. This was during the post-screening Q & A.David Schwimmer (2007)](https://film.one/media/person/9295/gallery-ca5a94d40a27.jpg) David Schwimmer at the premiere of Run, Fat Boy, Run, at the Walter Reade Theater in New York City. This was during the post-screening Q & A.David Schwimmer (2007) — toothgap, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/02/David_Schwimmer.jpg/1280px-David_Schwimmer.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![David Schwimmer at the London premiere of Madagascar in July 2005.](https://film.one/media/person/9295/gallery-512bb370bc69.jpg) David Schwimmer at the London premiere of Madagascar in July 2005. — Jason Broersma from Milton, Ontario, Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c2/David_Schwimmer_2005_Madagascar.jpg/1280px-David_Schwimmer_2005_Madagascar.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![David Schwimmer](https://film.one/media/person/9295/gallery-61e48aa9adda.jpg) David Schwimmer — Philippe Berdalle, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/30/David_Schwimmer_2011.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![David Schwimmer](https://film.one/media/person/9295/gallery-b2b23a84dd5f.jpg) David Schwimmer — Image via TMDB
- ![David Schwimmer](https://film.one/media/person/9295/gallery-6bc0887c30f2.jpg) David Schwimmer — Image via TMDB
- ![David Schwimmer](https://film.one/media/person/9295/gallery-1cd5fbe6bb14.jpg) David Schwimmer — Image via TMDB
- ![Andrea told me to take a picture of this guy with my paparazzi lens; apparently he's "famous". This photo now appears on the Wikipedia page for David Schwimmer. (2005)](https://film.one/media/person/9295/gallery-d440fc78a816.jpg) Andrea told me to take a picture of this guy with my paparazzi lens; apparently he's "famous". This photo now appears on the Wikipedia page for David Schwimmer. (2005) — Jason Broersma from Milton, Ontario, Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9e/David_Schwimmer_Jul_2005_London%2C_England.jpg/1280px-David_Schwimmer_Jul_2005_London%2C_England.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/david-schwimmer