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IMDbPro

David Duchovny

  • Actor
  • Producer
  • Director
IMDbProStarmeter
Top 500585
David Duchovny
'You People' stars Eddie Murphy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Nia Long, Lauren London, David Duchovny, Travis Bennett, Sam Jay, and writer-director Kenya Barris talk about the scenes filled with laughs and improvisation that were most exciting to film together. Plus, Eddie Murphy shares the '90s sitcom that's part of his nightly routine.
Play clip2:37
Eddie Murphy and Julia Louis-Dreyfus Remember Their Time Together on "SNL"
99+ Videos
99+ Photos
David William Duchovny was born on August 7, 1960, in New York City, New York, USA. His father, Amram Ducovny, was a writer and publicist who was from a family of Jewish immigrants (from Ukraine and Poland), and worked for the American Jewish Committee. His mother, Margaret (Miller), was a Scottish-born school teacher. David has a sister, Laurie, and an older brother, Daniel Ducovny, an award-winning director of commercials, as well as a director of photography.

David earned an undergraduate degree from Princeton University, and also 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. 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.

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.
BornAugust 7, 1960
  • More at IMDbPro
    • Contact info
    • Agent info
    • Resume
BornAugust 7, 1960
IMDbProStarmeter
Top 500585
  • View contact info at IMDbPro
  • Nominated for 4 Primetime Emmys

Photos1903

David Duchovny, Kathleen Turner, Toni Collette, and Rosemarie DeWitt in The Estate (2022)
David Duchovny, Nia Long, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Eddie Murphy, Jonah Hill, and Lauren London in You People (2023)
David Duchovny, Toni Collette, and Anna Faris in The Estate (2022)
David Duchovny and Rosemarie DeWitt in The Estate (2022)
Brad Pitt and David Duchovny in Kalifornia (1993)
Brad Pitt and David Duchovny in Kalifornia (1993)
David Duchovny, Leslie Mann, Pedro Pascal, Keegan-Michael Key, Karen Gillan, Iris Apatow, Ben Ashenden, Alexander Owen, and Guz Khan in The Bubble (2022)
David Duchovny, Leslie Mann, and Pedro Pascal in The Bubble (2022)
David Duchovny, Michelle Monaghan, and Cailee Spaeny in The Craft: Legacy (2020)
David Duchovny, Michelle Monaghan, and Cailee Spaeny in The Craft: Legacy (2020)
David Duchovny in Saturday Night Live (1975)
Gillian Anderson, David Duchovny, and Brendan Patrick Connor in The X-Files (1993)

Known for

Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny in The X-Files (1993)
The X-Files
8.6
TV Series
  • Fox Mulder
Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny in The X Files (1998)
The X Files
7.0
  • Agent Fox Mulder
  • 1998
David Duchovny in Californication (2007)
Californication
8.3
TV Series
  • Hank Moody
The X Files: I Want to Believe (2008)
The X Files: I Want to Believe
5.9
  • Fox Mulder
  • 2008

Credits

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IMDbPro

Actor

  • History of the World: Part II
    • In Production
  • Adam the First
    • Post-production
  • Truly Like Lightning
    • In Development
  • What Happens Later
    • Post-production
  • Bucky F*cking Dent
    • Post-production
  • Unearthed
    • Pre-production
  • David Duchovny, Nia Long, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Eddie Murphy, Jonah Hill, and Lauren London in You People (2023)
    You People
  • David Duchovny, Kathleen Turner, Toni Collette, Anna Faris, Ron Livingston, and Rosemarie DeWitt in The Estate (2022)
    The Estate
  • David Duchovny, Leslie Mann, Fred Armisen, Pedro Pascal, Keegan-Michael Key, Karen Gillan, Iris Apatow, Ben Ashenden, Alexander Owen, and Guz Khan in The Bubble (2022)
    The Bubble
  • Ten Year Old Tom (2021)
    Ten Year Old Tom
    • (voice)
  • Sandra Oh in The Chair (2021)
    The Chair
  • XIII (2020)
    XIII
    • (voice)
  • Zoey Luna, Gideon Adlon, Lovie Simone, and Cailee Spaeny in The Craft: Legacy (2020)
    The Craft: Legacy
  • Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny in The X-Files (1993)
    The X-Files
  • Twin Peaks (2017)
    Twin Peaks
  • Pamela Adlon in Better Things (2016)
    Better Things
  • David Duchovny in Aquarius (2015)
    Aquarius
  • David Duchovny in Californication (2007)
    Californication
  • David Duchovny, Timothy Hutton, Hope Davis, and Olivia Steele Falconer in Louder Than Words (2013)
    Louder Than Words
  • Phantom (2013)
    Phantom
  • Goats (2012)
    Goats

Producer

  • Truly Like Lightning
    • In Development
  • Man Made Man
    • In Production
  • David Duchovny in Aquarius (2015)
    Aquarius
  • David Duchovny in Californication (2007)
    Californication

Director

  • Truly Like Lightning
    • In Development
  • Bucky F*cking Dent
    • Post-production
  • David Duchovny in Aquarius (2015)
    Aquarius
  • David Duchovny in Californication (2007)
    Californication
  • David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel in Bones (2005)
    Bones
  • Robin Williams, Erykah Badu, and Anton Yelchin in House of D (2004)
    House of D
  • Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny in The X-Files (1993)
    The X-Files

Videos162

Eddie Murphy and Julia Louis-Dreyfus Remember Their Time Together on "SNL"
Clip 2:37
Eddie Murphy and Julia Louis-Dreyfus Remember Their Time Together on "SNL"
The X-Files: The Complete Series
Clip 1:31
The X-Files: The Complete Series
The X-Files: The Complete Series
Clip 1:28
The X-Files: The Complete Series
The X-Files: The Complete Series
Clip 1:40
The X-Files: The Complete Series
The X-Files: The Complete Series
Clip 1:04
The X-Files: The Complete Series
The X-Files: The Complete Series
Clip 1:47
The X-Files: The Complete Series
Californication:The Complete Second Season
Clip 0:38
Californication:The Complete Second Season
Californication: The Complete Second Season
Clip 0:29
Californication: The Complete Second Season
Californication: The Complete Second Season
Clip 1:05
Californication: The Complete Second Season
Californication: The First Season
Clip 0:58
Californication: The First Season
Californication: The First Season
Clip 0:59
Californication: The First Season
Californication: The First Season
Clip 0:36
Californication: The First Season

Personal details

Edit
  • Official sites
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • August 7, 1960
    • New York City, New York, USA
    • Téa LeoniMay 6, 1997 - June 14, 2014 (divorced, 2 children)
    • West Duchovny
    • Daniel Ducovny(Sibling)
  • Other works
    TV commercial for The Ford Mondeo (UK)
  • Publicity listings
    • 1 Portrayal
    • 32 Interviews
    • 30 Articles
    • 9 Pictorials
    • 72 Magazine Cover Photos

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    Was the first actor to win a Golden Globe for both TV Drama and TV Comedy and is still one of only two actors to accomplish the feat (Kelsey Grammer joined him in 2012).
  • Quotes
    I never, ever, ever cook. And I would never eat anything I might cook.
    • Deadpan humor

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