Biography for
David Duchovny More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

7 August 1960, New York City, New York, USA

Birth Name

David William Duchovny

Nickname

Dave

Height

6' 0½" (1.84 m)

Mini Biography

David Duchovny earned an undergraduate degree from Princeton University and also earned a graduate degree in English Literature at Yale University. While at Yale, he began commuting to New York to study acting and was soon appearing in off-Broadway plays. In 1987 he abandoned his doctoral studies at Yale to pursue acting full time.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Gustaf Molin

Mini Biography

David William Duchovny was born on August 7, 1960, in New York City, New York, USA. His mother was a school teacher, his father a writer and publicist who worked for the American Jewish Committee. David has a sister, Laurie and an older brother named Daniel Ducovny, an award winning director of commercials, as well as a director of photography.

David attended Yale University where he undertook a Master's Degree in English Literature. A keen poet and writer, David's work was well recognized by his peers and teachers while he was in attendance at Yale. He was even nominated for a college prize by the Academy of American Poets for his outstanding work within the literary field.

Like any actor or celebrity, David began his career on the bottom, by acting in numerous commercials in the late-eighties. He crossed over into films with bit parts in low key films such as New Year's Day (1989) and Bad Influence (1990). Although these parts were small and somewhat insignificant, it was a start and David was able to get his foot in the door.

In 1991, David got offered the role of DEA Dennis Bryson on the acclaimed TV series, "Twin Peaks" (1990). He only appeared in three episodes, but at that early stage, it was his biggest claim to fame yet, as "Twin Peaks" (1990) was watched by millions of people worldwide. Needless to say, David's talents as an actor would finally be recognized and he would get the acknowledgment that he so richly deserved.

In the early 1990s, he got more bit parts in films, this time, however, the films weren't "low key", but hits, such as Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead (1991) and the family favorite comedy, Beethoven (1992). David's role in Beethoven (1992) was small, but it was hard to forget the poor guy who was dragged across the lawn by the giant St. Bernard!

A year later, in 1993, David got the lead role in the independent film Kalifornia (1993). The film also starred another up-and-coming young actor, Brad Pitt. In Kalifornia (1993), David played a journalist who goes on a cross-country tour of famous murder sites with his girlfriend as research for a book he is writing about serial killers. He takes Pitt's character along to help pay the bills, unaware that Pitt's character is in fact a serial killer himself. Although it did not do much business at the box office, it is still a great film and has become somewhat of a cult favorite among fans.

That same year, David was offered the role of FBI Agent Fox "Spooky" Mulder on the long-running TV series "The X Files" (1993). The show was a tremendous international success and propelled David (and his co-star Gillian Anderson) into super-stardom. His character of Mulder has become somewhat of a pop culture legend and is renowned the world over for his satirical wit and dry sense of humor. Fans loved the fact that he could keep a straight face and still crack and joke in the face of extreme danger. David improvised a lot of his own lines of dialogue while on the show and even penned and directed a few episodes. The series ended in 2002 and still has a strong, dedicated following. To date, David has reprised his role of Fox Mulder in two "X Files" feature films: The X Files (1998) and The X Files: I Want to Believe (2008).

During the initial run of "The X Files" (1993), David kept busy and made several films, such as: Return to Me (2000), alongside actress Minnie Driver and the comedy favorite Evolution (2001), with Julianne Moore, Seann William Scott and Orlando Jones. He even had a hysterical cameo as a self-obsessed, simple-minded hand model in the comedy-smash Zoolander (2001).

In 2007, after a few years out of the limelight, David struck gold again after landing the plum role of Hank Moody in "Californication" (2007). The raunchy series follows the life of womanizing writer Hank Moody (Duchovny) as he tries to juggle his career and his relationship with his daughter and his ex-girlfriend. The show has become a hit for its off-the-wall humor and Duchovny's ability to always turn in a brilliant performance.

It may have taken a while, but David has worked his way to the top and notched up an impressive resume along the way. We can expect to see a lot more of him in the future.

IMDb Mini Biography By: cryofry

Spouse

Téa Leoni

(6 May 1997 - present) 2 children

Trade Mark

Deadpan humor.

Puppy dog eyes.

Cleft in chin.

Frequently plays conspiracy theorists (The X-Files, Evolution, Zoolander, etc.)

Trivia

Filed a $25 million lawsuit against the producers and syndicators of "The X Files" (1993) alleging he's been cheated of his contractual share of profits from series.

Daughter Madelaine West Duchovny born April 24th, 1999, 2nd Child son Kyd Miller Duchovny born June 15th, 2002.

Chosen by People (USA) magazine as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world. [1996]

Dated Sheryl Lee and actress Perrey Reeves (June 1994 to 1996).

When he isn't in Vancouver to shoot "The X Files" (1993), he resides in Malibu, California.

Played scholarship-level basketball during some of his high school and college career. He had an accident while playing basketball in high school which damaged his right eye.

Family: His father's name was Amram. From a Russian-Jewish family he was a Brooklyn-born publicist for the American Jewish Commitee, died on 23 August 2003 from heart disease. His mother's name is Margaret. She is of Scottish ancestry. Brother, Daniel Ducovny, sister Laurie, and a stepbrother named Jonathan Sahula. Duchovny means 'spiritual' in Russian.

He is known to be a sports fan, and has appeared on MTV's "Rock n' Jock Softball Game".

Is a former vegetarian but does not consume red meat.

While at Yale, he was classmates with Jennifer Beals, whom Duchovny suggested for a part on "The X Files" (1993) (it eventually went to Gillian Anderson).

Was partially responsible for moving the filming of "The X Files" (1993) series from Vancouver to California.

Has an allergic reaction to metal which prevents him from wearing his wedding ring at times.

Was the subject of the song "David Duchovny" by Bree Sharp.

He kept three dogs and four cats as a child.

He does a very good impersonation of Jeff Goldblum, as demonstrated during his appearance on "Saturday Night Live" (1975).

Was ABD ("All But Dissertation") when he left Yale, so he never actually received his graduate degree. The title of his uncompleted doctoral thesis was "Magic and Technology in Contemporary Poetry and Prose."

Friends with actor Ron Eldard.

His mother taught at Grace Church School in N.Y.C. and had a portion of the building named after her when she retired.

Speaks French and Latin.

Speaks Hebrew.

Stayed in 411 Witherspoon Hall his freshman year at Princeton.

Made his film debut in Working Girl (1988), as one of the guests hiding in the bathroom at Tess's surprise birthday party.

Uncle of twin boys Gabriel and Luca (b. May 2004), sons of his sister Laurie and brother-in-law Michael Birnbaum.

Very good friends with Nicholas Lea, who played his nemesis Alex Krycek on "The X-Files".

Appeared on the Celebrity edition of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire in 2000. He was the first celebrity in the hot seat. He answered 13 questions correctly giving him $250,000 for his charity. However, he then answered his $500,000 incorrectly resulting in a $218,000 loss and he left with $32,000.

Checked himself into a rehabilitation center seeking treatment for sex addiction. Completed rehab on October 7, 2008. On October 15th just 8 Days after completing Rehab, David announced that he and his Wife Tea Leoni had been separated for several months. April 2009 Rumors started circulating that the couple had recently reunited. Although neither David or Tea have confirmed reuniting. [August 2008]

Loves dogs. hated making the scene where agent Mulder was being mauled by a dog and forced to attack the dog for "X-Files: I Want to Believe" (2008).

Is a New York Yankees Fan.

Dated Maggie Jakobson.

Was best man at Mitch Pileggi's second wedding.

Birthday is two days before "X Files" co-star Gillian Anderson. He is eight years her senior.

Celebrated his 10th birthday on Erraid, a small island off the west coast of Scotland.

Is the only actor to win a Golden Globe for both Drama and Comedy.

Is the only cast member of The X-Files to host Saturday Night Live.

Now Resides in New York City, New York ( Fall 2008 ).

Personal Quotes

I never, ever, ever cook. And I would never eat anything I might cook.

I'm half Jewish, half Scottish. It's hard for me to buy anything.

Privacy is something I have come to respect. I think when I was younger I wanted to tell everybody everything, because I thought I was so damn interesting. Then I heard the snoring.

I've always been overly concerned about what people think which has resulted in a lot of inner turmoil. I try not to give a damn but inside I'm a huge ball of worry.

If you're smart, you'll always be humble. You can learn all you want, but there'll always be somebody who's never read a book who'll know twice what you know.

I'm frightened by the possibilities of my own lack of talent.

I think I'm nice enough to look at, but I think people make a big deal about my appearance. I think it was like hypnosis, like all of the sudden everybody's been trained: 'OK, now cluck like a chicken!' 'OK, now say David Duchovny's handsome!' I mean, I was a normal-looking kid, and whoever you are and whatever you look like, there are always things you want to change. I just remember that I wished I was blond. And I wished that my nose were smaller and my lips were smaller and my eyes were bigger... you know, everything.

[On his role as Agent Fox Mulder on "The X-Files"] "It's pretty workaday, people don't seem to realize: You get up, you take a shower, you read the paper, you play Mulder." (from June 1998 "Entertainment Weekly" interview)

[About "The X-Files"] "I get tired of people asking if I believe in what's presented on the show. They don't ask the guys on 'E.R.' if they believe in euthanasia." (from Oct. 1997 "Chicago Tribune" interview)

Fame does lead to money, which I don't have a close relationship with. I'm the kind of guy who never sees the money -- it all goes somewhere else. I don't understand it, I don't like to deal with it. I have a fear of not having it, because I grew up without it.

Any scene where I can use a pipette, I'm happy. - on one of his scenes from Evolution

About his on screen chemistry with Gillian Anderson: It is nice and natural with Gillian, It was nice to work with her again. I don't know why we have such good chemistry it is really mystical. We have always worked really well together. It is always easy to work with her.

People say the world changes all the time, and yet human nature remains the same. I think what's changed is the size of our cell phones.

On how his relationship with Gillian Anderson is now: It is very good yes it is. We have a very good relationship. Different than when it was when we were shooting the X-Files, we are both not exhausted all the time.

Salary

The X Files (1998)

$6,000,000

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