Guide Note

David Schwimmer is an Emmy nominated actor and director. In 1989 he made his film debut in the made for television movie A Deadly Silence in which he played a murderer. From 1991 - 1992, Schwimmer appeared on four episodes of The Wonder Years as the hippie fiancee of Olivia d'Abo. In 2004, his career took off when he accepted the role of Ross Gellar in the hugely successful sitcom Friends. The role of Gellar was written especially for him by the creators of the show. Friends proved to be extremely popular and lasted 10 seasons. Schwimmer was a part of the show from beginning to end. His role earned him an Emmy nomination, making him the first cast member to receive that nomination.

Fast Facts

1. Born: November 2nd, 1966
2. Birthplace: Astoria, Queens, New York
3. Full name: David Lawrence Schwimmer
4. Height: 6'1"
5. Co founder of: the Looking Glass Theater Company
6. Emmy: 1 nomination
7. Graduated from: Northwestern University
8. Notable role: "Dr. Ross Geller" Friends

In 2001, Schwimmer appeared in the mini series Band of Brothers as Capt. Herbert Sobel. He is also working on two movies that will be released in 2008, he will star in Nothing But the Truth and will provide the voice for the animated film Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa.

1. "I spend half my time just living my life, and the other half analyzing it."
2. "It's a job - someone's gotta kiss Jennifer Aniston. The reality is, Jennifer and I can do our job well because we truly are friends. But when the day's over, she goes home to her boyfriend and I go home to a magazine."
3. "It's really important to me not to be known as Ross when I'm 60."
4. "I've made a good amount of money. I'm very happy that I can now support my theatre company and support friends and family, and I'm ready to maybe go back to school and change careers."
5. "To be perfectly honest, I feel I have a duty to use my celebrity status in a positive way. Most rape victims are women, so the bulk of the discussion is loaded towards women. I thought I could find a way to approach the subject of rape in such a way that men are going to respond to it. My most devastating moment was when a 13-year-old girl told me her story. At that moment, I realized just how important this center really is. Nothing else had ever made me connect with reality like that."