Overview

David Cross is an American actor, writer, comedian, and producer known for his inventive and often satirical work across various media. He is perhaps most famous for his role as Tobias Fünke in the critically acclaimed sitcom “Arrested Development” and for co-creating and starring in the sketch comedy series “Mr. Show with Bob and David.” Beyond television, Cross has an extensive filmography that includes roles in movies like “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” “Men in Black,” and the “Kung Fu Panda” franchise, where he voices Crane. He has also lent his voice to numerous other animated projects and video games, showcasing his versatility as a performer. In addition to his acting roles, Cross is a successful stand-up comedian and has released several comedy specials and albums. He is also an accomplished writer, with credits including “The Ben Stiller Show” and his own television series, “The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret.” David Cross remains a prominent figure in the alternative comedy scene, known for his sharp wit and unique comedic perspective.

What Is David Cross’ Net Worth?

David Cross, an American actor, writer, director, producer, and stand-up comedian, has accumulated a net worth of $10 million. This financial standing is primarily a result of his extensive work in television, film, and stand-up comedy.

Career Highlights and Earnings

Cross’ career began with stand-up comedy at the age of 17, leading him to New York City immediately after high school. He honed his skills in Boston, joining the sketch comedy group “This is Pathetic” and regularly performing at venues like Catch a Rising Star. These early performances laid the foundation for his later success.

His breakthrough in television came in 1992 when he was hired as a writer for “The Ben Stiller Show,” where he also made occasional appearances in sketches. This role marked the beginning of his career in television writing and acting. One of his fellow writers was Bob Odenkirk, and in 1995, the two teamed up to create “Mr. Show with Bob and David,” which aired 30 episodes on HBO. The show’s success led to a revival on Netflix in 2015 with “W/ Bob & David.”

A significant portion of Cross’ wealth can be attributed to his role as Tobias Fünke on the sitcom “Arrested Development.” The show ran for five seasons, including three on Fox and two on Netflix, comprising a total of 84 episodes. “Arrested Development” won a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2004, further boosting Cross’ profile and career opportunities.

Cross’ involvement in the “Alvin and the Chipmunks” film franchise also contributed significantly to his income. He played Ian Hawke in “Alvin and the Chipmunks” (2007), “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel” (2009), and “Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked” (2011). These films were commercially successful, grossing $361.3 million, $443.1 million, and $234 million, respectively.

Additionally, Cross voiced Crane in the “Kung Fu Panda” franchise, which includes “Kung Fu Panda” (2008), “Kung Fu Panda 2” (2011), and “Kung Fu Panda 3” (2016). This franchise has grossed over $1.8 billion at the box office, making it a significant contributor to his earnings.

Besides his work on television and film, Cross has also released several stand-up comedy albums, including “Shut Up You Fucking Baby!” (2002), “It’s Not Funny” (2004), “Bigger and Blackerer” (2010), “…America…Great…” (2016), and “Oh, Come On” (2019). Two of these albums received Grammy nominations for Best Comedy Album, further cementing his status as a successful stand-up comedian.

Film and Television Roles

Cross’ film career includes roles in “Scary Movie 2” (2001), “Run Ronnie Run” (2002), “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” (2004), and “It’s a Disaster” (2012). He has also appeared in television shows such as “Running Wilde” (2010–2011), “The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret” (2010–2012; 2016), and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” (2016–2017). Each of these roles has added to his income and overall net worth.

Cross also wrote, directed, and produced the 2014 film “Hits.” In addition, he directed the 2003 comedy special “David Cross: Let America Laugh” and all six episodes of the 2018 BritBox series “Bliss,” which he created. His work as a writer includes contributions to “Mr. Show,” “The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret,” “The Ben Stiller Show,” “Tenacious D,” and “Freak Show.” These roles have provided income and enhanced his industry reputation.

In the 1990s, Cross appeared in the films “The Truth About Cats & Dogs” (1996), “The Cable Guy” (1996), “Waiting for Guffman” (1996), “Men in Black” (1998), and “The Thin Pink Line” (1998). He also guest-starred on “The Drew Carey Show” (1996; 1997), “NewsRadio” (1996; 1998), and “Space Ghost Coast to Coast” (1997). In 1999, he appeared in a three-episode stint on “Just Shoot Me!” as Donnie DiMauro.

In the early 2000s, he appeared in the films “Ghost World” (2001), “Pootie Tang” (2001), and “Men in Black II” (2002). He also co-starred with Bob Odenkirk in “Run Ronnie Run” (2002), which they co-wrote. From 2010 to 2011, Cross played Dr. Andy Weeks on seven episodes of Will Arnett’s Fox series “Running Wilde.” He created and co-starred in the IFC series “The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret” (2010). From 2018 to 2019, he played Pete “The Broker” Oakland on the Amazon Prime Video series “Goliath.” In 2021, he began starring as Jerry Wexler on National Geographic’s “Genius.”

He has lent his voice to several animated projects, such as “Dr. Dolittle 2” (2001), “Megamind” (2010), and “Archer” (2011; 2018), as well as the video games “Halo 2” (2004), “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas” (2004), “Curious George” (2006), “Brütal Legend” (2009), and “Grand Theft Auto Online” (2020). Each of these roles has added incrementally to his earnings over the years.

Additional Ventures and Recognition

In 2009, Cross published the book “I Drink for a Reason,” adding another dimension to his career and contributing to his overall income through book sales and royalties.

He was ranked #85 on Comedy Central’s “100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time” list in 2004, highlighting his impact on the world of comedy. This recognition likely opened doors to more opportunities and increased his earning potential.

Cross’ engagement with Kickstarter as an early investor also indicates his involvement in entrepreneurial ventures. According to co-founder Yancey Strickler, David Cross was the first investor. He also used the platform to raise funds for his film “Hits,” showing his innovative approach to financing creative projects.

Cross won a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program for “The Ben Stiller Show” in 1993, marking an early highlight in his career and contributing to his industry reputation. The “Arrested Development” cast won a Future Classic Award at the 2004 TV Land Awards and an Ensemble of the Year award at the 2006 Gold Derby Awards. Cross has earned multiple nominations for his role as Tobias Fünke, including three Gold Derby Award nominations, three Online Film & Television Association nominations, and a Satellite Award nomination. He has also received two Best Comedy Album Grammy nominations.

David Cross’ multifaceted career, spanning acting, writing, directing, producing, and stand-up comedy, has enabled him to amass a net worth of $10 million. His various roles in successful films, television shows, and comedy specials have collectively contributed to his financial success.

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