David Hyde Pierce life and biography

David Hyde Pierce is an American actor and comedian best known for playing psychiatrist Dr. Niles Crane on the NBC sitcom Frasier, for which he received many accolades including four Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

Pierce, the youngest of four siblings, was born in Saratoga Springs, New York, the son of Laura Marie (née Hughes) and George Hyde Pierce, an insurance agent and aspiring actor. He has three older siblings: Barbara, Nancy, and Thomas. He adapted the name David Hyde Pierce as an adult.

As a child, Pierce became very interested in the piano and frequently played organ at the local Bethesda Episcopal Church in Saratoga Springs. He began acting in high school, earning recognition as best Dramatic Arts student. In 1977 he received the Yaddo Medal for character and scholarship and worked in theater while a counselor at Camp Kabeyun, in New Hampshire. However, his love of music was still strong, so he decided to study classical piano at Yale University. Unfortunately, he soon grew bored with music history lessons and found that he wasn't dedicated enough to practice the required number of hours to become a successful concert pianist. Instead, he graduated in 1981 with a double major in English and Theatre Arts.

While attending Yale, Pierce performed and directed student productions, appearing as Sir Joseph Porter, K.C.B., in the Yale Gilbert & Sullivan Society's production of H.M.S. Pinafore. He also directed the Gilbert & Sullivan Society's operetta Princess Ida and occasionally accompanied rehearsals on the piano. Among other roles he played at Yale were Vladimir in Waiting for Godot, Cauchon in Saint Joan, and Nick in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?.

He appeared in small roles in films such as Bright Lights, Big City (1988) before his life and career changed forever when he landed the role of "Dr. Niles Crane" in the television series "Frasier" (1993). Throughout the show's eleven year run (1993-2004), David was nominated for an Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor each year (he won four times: 1995, 1998, 1999 and 2004). David resides in Los Angeles with his romantic partner, 'Brian Hargrove', and their two Wheaton Terriers, Maude and Mabel. He remains very close to his three siblings.

Filmography:
Treasure Planet (2002)
Down with Love (2003)
Hellboy (2004) - Voice
Stingray Sam (2009) - Narrator
The Perfect Host (2010)

Television:
The Powers That Be (1992)
Frasier (1993-2004)
Mighty Ducks (1996)
The Outer Limits (1996)
The Simpsons (1997) - Cecil Terwilliger
Titus (2001)
The Amazing Screw-On Head (2006)
The Simpsons (2007) - Cecil Terwilliger

Theatre:
Beyond Therapy (1982)
The Heidi Chronicles (1990)
A Wonderful Life (2005)
Children And Art (2005)
Spamalot (2005)
Curtains (2007)
Accent on Youth (2009)
La Bête (2010 - 2011)

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