David Anthony Higgins (born December 9, 1961) is an American actor. He is known for his television roles as Craig Feldspar on Malcolm in the Middle, Joe on Ellen, and Reginald Bitters on Big Time Rush. He also had a recurring role as Harry on the television series Mike & Molly.
David Anthony Higgins | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 9, 1961 Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1987–present |
| Spouse |
Julia Higgins
(m. 2000) |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Steve Higgins (brother) Alan J. Higgins (brother) |
Early life and education
editHiggins was born on December 9, 1961, in Des Moines, Iowa, one of five children (including brothers Steve and Alan) of Marian Higgins (née Coppola; 1932–2011)[1] and Harold Higgins (1934-1979), the latter of whom was a janitor at West Des Moines schools who was also a broadcaster who did high school plays.[2] After receiving encouragement from a fourth-grade teacher, he won a scholarship to the Des Moines Playhouse and performed in several summer operettas. He was raised in Des Moines and graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in 1980.[2][3] He attended the University of Iowa, where he studied liberal arts until he realized he wanted to pursue a career in entertainment.
Career
editHiggins, along with his brother Steve and Dave Gruber Allen, performed in a comedy troupe, Don't Quit Your Day Job,[4] and performed at notable places, including Des Moines' Hotel Kirkwood.[5] Eventually they toured in other states, including California, and were so well received[6] that they were offered their own show, The Higgins Boys and Gruber, on HBO's The Comedy Channel in 1989. After the show ended in 1991, they each pursued separate careers in comedy.[2][7]
Higgins received his big break when cast as outspoken barista Joe in the sitcom Ellen in 1994.[8] In 1997, he appeared in the Dave Foley film The Wrong Guy, which he also co-wrote with Foley and The Simpsons writer Jay Kogen.
Higgins is perhaps most well recognized for his roles as Craig Feldspar in Malcolm in the Middle and Mr. Bitters in Big Time Rush. He also guest starred on Nickelodeon's True Jackson, VP as Dave. He later appeared in three episodes of American Horror Story: Murder House as minor character Stan. He began a recurring role as Harry in season two of the CBS series Mike & Molly, and was eventually upgraded to a series regular in season three.
Personal life
editIn 2000, he married his wife Julia, and they have two children. They live in Studio City, California.[2] In 2004, Higgins was featured in a Hollywood edition of the Discovery Channel series Body Challenge, where he worked with a personal trainer.[9][10] He is a fan of Laurel and Hardy and Buster Keaton.[2]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Hiding Out | Student | as David Higgins |
| 1988 | Tapeheads | Visual Aplomb | as Dave Higgins |
| 1995 | Coldblooded | Lance | |
| 1995 | Payback | Jim Koval | |
| 1996 | The Moravian Massacre | William Irvine | Documentary film |
| 1997 | The Wrong Guy | Detective Arlen | Also executive producer and writer |
| 1998 | Snake Eyes | Ned Campbell | |
| 2004 | Three Blind Mice | Bruce Atkins / DMV Manager | Short film |
| 2005 | The Paperboy | Evil Project Manager #2 | Short film; as David Higgins |
| 2006 | Venti Vice | Chip House | Short film; as David Higgins |
| 2007 | The Mediocre Samartan | Richard Paul Risvold | Short film |
| 2007 | When You Wish Upon a Fish | Shannon | Short film; as David Higgins |
| 2008 | The Great Buck Howard | Mark Simpson | as David Higgins |
| 2010 | Miss Nobody | Morty | |
| 2014 | State of Bacon | Bacon Dreamer |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989–1991 | The Higgins Boys and Gruber | Self | Aired on The Comedy Channel, HBO's precursor to Comedy Central |
| 1990 | After the Shock | Lieutenant Rich Allen | Television film |
| 1994–1998 | Ellen | Joe Farrell | Main role; 102 episodes |
| 1994 | Trashed | Shane Gray | 1 episode |
| 1995–1998 | NewsRadio | Manager / Santa | Guest role; 3 episodes |
| 1996 | Malcolm & Eddie | Bill Fontaine | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 1998 | The Pretender | Kidnapper | Episode: "Stolen"; as Dave Higgins |
| 1998 | The Army Show | Master Sgt. Dave Hopkins | Main role; 13 episodes |
| 1999 | Judging Amy | Detective Bob Redlich | Episode: "Last Tango in Hartford" |
| 2000–2006 | Malcolm in the Middle | Craig Feldspar | Recurring role; 39 episodes |
| 2003 | My Wife and Kids | Alexander Burns | Episode: "Graduation: Part 1" |
| 2006 | Misconceptions | Recurring role; 4 episodes, as Dave Higgins | |
| 2006 | Help Me Help You | Dr. Al "Big Beat" Higgins | Guest role; 2 episodes |
| 2006 | American Men | Tyler | Television film |
| 2007 | Big Day | Francis | Guest role; 2 episodes |
| 2008 | Outsourced | Ronny | Unaired pilot |
| 2008 | True Jackson, VP | Dave | Episode: "Ryan on Wheels" |
| 2009 | In the Motherhood | Iceman | Episode: "Bully" |
| 2009–2013 | Big Time Rush | Reginald Bitters | Recurring role; 41 episodes |
| 2011 | The Council of Dads | Troupe Leader | Television film |
| 2011–2016 | Mike & Molly | Harry | Recurring role; 27 episodes |
| 2011 | Last Man Standing | Bill Calhoun | Episode: "Last Halloween Standing" |
| 2011 | American Horror Story: Murder House | Stan | Guest role; 3 episodes |
| 2012 | Californication | John | Episode: "JFK to LAX" |
| 2013 | Wendell & Vinnie | Ray | Episode: "Baseball and Bad Dates" |
| 2014–2015 | International Ghost Investigators | Dave | Main role; 11 episodes, also writer and creator |
| 2015 | Comedy Bang! Bang! | Janitor | Episode: "Mark Duplass Wears a Striped Sweater and Jeans" |
| 2017 | Mom | George | Episode: "Lockjaw and a Liquid Diet" |
| 2017 | School of Rock | Gooch | Episode: "Leader of the Band" |
| 2017 | Stan Against Evil | Sheriff | Episode: "Curse of the Werepony" |
| 2020–2022 | B Positive | Jerry | Recurring role (season 1); Main role (season 2) |
| 2023 | Call Me Kat | Jeff | 3 episodes |
References
edit- ^ "Marian Higgins Obituary (1932 - 2011) - Des Moines, IA - the Des Moines Register". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ a b c d e Longden, Tom (2004-11-04). "Famous Iowans – David Anthony Higgins". desmoinesregister.com. Archived from the original on 2013-02-15. Retrieved 2013-01-25.
- ^ Mendoza, N. f (1995-07-16). "WITH AN EYE ON . . . : David Anthony Higgins is right at home as 'Ellen's' resident cynic". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ "Comic team outshines its material". Minneapolis Star-Tribune. 1988-01-09. Retrieved 2013-01-25.
- ^ Curtis, Jared (2012-02-23). "A laughing matter". dmcityview.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-18. Retrieved 2013-01-25.
- ^ Shirley, Don (1988-09-09). "Testing Negative' at McCadden Place; Comedy-Improv Group at Cast; 'Supreme Bean' at Haunted Studios; 'Thorns of Fire' at Act One Stage". latimes.com. Retrieved 2013-01-25.
- ^ MacIntyre, April (2007-03-20). "M&C Interview: David Koechner/T-Bones, The Naked Trucker and 'Live At The Troubadour'". monstersandcritics.com. Archived from the original on 2013-12-30. Retrieved 2013-01-25.
- ^ Menzoda, N. F. (1995-07-16). "WITH AN EYE ON . . . : David Anthony Higgins is right at home as 'Ellen's' resident cynic". latimes.com. Retrieved 2013-01-25.
- ^ "Discovery Health's Body Challenge Goes to the Stars". cablefax.com. 2004-05-03. Archived from the original on 2013-02-15. Retrieved 2013-01-25.
- ^ "Christopher Knight, David Anthony Higgins, Erik Estrada, Kym Whitley, Charlene Tilton, Susan Olsen in Production on Discovery Health Channel's BODY CHALLENGE: HOLLYWOOD". prnewswire.com. 2003-10-20. Retrieved 2013-01-25.
