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David Schwimmer

David Schwimmer

Actor, director and producer · Born November 2, 1966 (59) · New York City, New York, USA

Screen Actors Guild Award winner · Primetime Emmy nominee

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.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 2, 1966 (59)
From
New York City, New York, USA
Works as
Actor, director and producer
Titles
46 on MovieCove · 64 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 17% in 30 days

What are David Schwimmer's films like?

Across their 28 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy11 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 29th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Animation5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 69th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Animation movies
Documentary3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 69th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 77th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
27%
Self
22%
Morality
17%
Society
11%
Power
11%
Survival
9%
Ideas
3%
Friendship10 titles, browse their movies with this themeGreed5 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception6 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose4 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal3 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age4 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 24 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 14 · Serious 4 · Dark 6

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 13 · Stylized 9 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 7 · Charged 12 · Intense 5

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 15 · Shifting 3 · Whiplash 6

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 5 · Some laughs 7 · Funny 12

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 11 · Even-paced 12 · Relentless 1

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 14 · Engaged 8 · Full focus 2

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 19 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

14 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 5 of 14 analyzed roles.

Hero
5 of 14
Ally
5 of 14
Herald
2 of 14
Trickster
2 of 14
Show the 14 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
15
Joyful
9
Absurd
11
Warm
8
Contemplative
6
Other
26

How their films linger

Feel-good9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy6
  • Bittersweet14
  • Tragic4
  • Ambiguous3
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch David Schwimmer's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 30 of their 46 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on HBO Max (7).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for David Schwimmer's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

64 credits, 46 with a MovieCove page; 25 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • A Sprinkle of History (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2027)

    as Bill Rosenberg

  • Goosebumps: The Vanishing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Show 8 episodes · as Anthony Brewer

  • Little Death(2024)

    as Martin Solomon

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Captain Fall(2023)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all shows

  • Extrapolations(2023)

    Show 1 episode · as Harris Goldblatt

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all shows

  • Goosebumps(2023)

    Show as Anthony Brewer

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • Friends: The Reunion(2021)

    Executive Producer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Intelligence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 12 episodes · Executive Producer · as Jerry

  • Mysterious Planet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 5 episodes · as Narrator

  • The Laundromat(2019)

    as Matthew Quirk

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Friends 25th: The One with the Anniversary (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Ross Geller

  • National Theatre Live: LOVE (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Executive Producer

  • That's Harassment (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Executive Producer · as Boss

  • Will & Grace (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 6 episodes · as Noah

  • Feed the Beast(2016)

    Show 10 episodes · as Tommy Moran

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all shows

  • American Crime Story(2016)

    Show 10 episodes · as Robert Kardashian

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Growing Up Fisher (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Madly Madagascar(2013)

    as Melman (voice)

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Dreamworks: Holiday Classics (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Melman (voice)

  • The Iceman(2012)

    as Josh Rosenthal

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted(2012)

    as Melman (voice)

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • John Carter(2012)

    as Young Thark Warrior

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Web Therapy(2011)

    Show 4 episodes · as Newell L. Miller

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all shows

  • Episodes(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as David Schwimmer

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • Trust(2010)

    Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Merry Madagascar(2009)

    as Melman (voice)

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Studs Terkel: Listening to America(2009)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Nothing But the Truth(2008)

    as Ray Armstrong

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa(2008)

    as Melman (voice)

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Little Britain USA(2008)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Run Fatboy Run(2007)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Big Nothing(2006)

    as Charlie

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • 30 Rock(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Greenzo / Jared

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Duane Hopwood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Duane Hopwood

  • Madagascar(2005)

    as Melman (voice)

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • New Car Smell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Director

  • Joey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Entourage(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as David Schwimmer

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Uprising(2001)

    as Icchak 'Antek' Cukierman

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Uprising (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 2 episodes · as Icchak 'Antek' Cukierman

  • Hotel(2001)

    as Jonathan Danderfine

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Band of Brothers(2001)

    Show 3 episodes · as Herbert M. Sobel

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Curb Your Enthusiasm(2000)

    Show 4 episodes · as David Schwimmer

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • All the Rage(1999)

    as Chris

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Picking Up the Pieces(2000)

    as Father Leo Jerome

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Love & Sex(2000)

    as Jehovah's Witness

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Apt Pupil(1998)

    as Edward French

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • The Thin Pink Line(1998)

    as Kelly Goodich / J.T.

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Six Days Seven Nights(1998)

    as Frank Martin

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Since You've Been Gone(1998)

    Director · as Robert S. Levitt

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Kissing a Fool(1998)

    Executive Producer · as Max Abbitt

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Breast Men(1997)

    as Dr. Kevin Saunders

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • The Pallbearer(1996)

    as Tom Thompson

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • The Single Guy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Ross Geller

  • Friends(1994)

    Show 228 episodes · Director · as Ross Geller

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Wolf(1994)

    as Cop

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Monty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 13 episodes · as Greg Richardson

  • Twenty Bucks(1993)

    as Neil Campbell

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • The Waiter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Evil Waiter

  • Crossing the Bridge(1992)

    as John Anderson

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Flight of the Intruder(1991)

    as Duty Officer

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • A Deadly Silence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Rob Cuccio

  • The Wonder Years(1988)

    Show 4 episodes · as Michael

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • L.A. Law(1986)

    Show 2 episodes · as City Attorney Dana Romney · as Dana Romney

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 62 titles, 61 of them dated from 1986 to 2025; peak year 1997.

Biggest box office

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012)

$747M worldwide

Highest rated

Friends (1994)

Midcredits 97th

Film career

MilestoneAward winNomination
19862025

Peak 1997 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 5 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting54 of 62: 49 only acting, 5 with another role · typical Midcredits score54thDirecting8 of 62: 5 only directing, 3 with another role · typical Midcredits score69thProducing6 of 62: 2 only producing, 4 with another role

62 titles, 6 with more than one role — acting and directing overlap on 2 of them.

By decade

1980s3 · acting1990s15 · 15 acting · 3 crew2000s20 · 16 acting · 4 crew2010s16 · 13 acting · 4 crew2020s7 · 6 acting · 2 crew

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 21% of 24 roles
910111

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

a Screen Actors Guild Award from 10 major nominations, 1995–2021.

WinNomination
  1. 2021
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded)
  2. 2016
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Movie
  3. 2004
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
  4. 2003
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
  5. 2002
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
  6. 2001
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
  7. 2000
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
  8. 1999
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
Show 2 earlier years
  1. 1996
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, won · Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
  2. 1995
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do David Schwimmer's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 52nd percentile, the median of all 31; across their 24 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 55th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

55thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 24

Approval · how many liked their films

61stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 24

Reach · how many have seen their films

86thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 24

Midcredits score across 46 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up12
  • 50th to 74th15
  • 25th to 49th15
  • Below 25th4

Shape of the crowd

20 of their 46 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved8
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser20
  • Broadly Agreed5
  • Mixed10

Most divisive · actor

Little Death (2024)

94th percentile spread · 44% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Band of Brothers (2001)

Midcredits 99th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the acting 71/100 in their films, across 22 reviewed titles; fans 78, detractors 48. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is David Schwimmer's work okay for kids?

Across up to 15 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity and profanity run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore12 titles11–57 · median 42 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity15 titles23–63 · median 43 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity11 titles26–65 · median 46 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs11 titles8–48 · median 35 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense11 titles7–70 · median 34 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does David Schwimmer work with?

People who share at least 2 of David Schwimmer's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Tom McGrath shares the most, 5.

Directors

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles