David Anthony Higgins

David Anthony Higgins
Born December 9, 1961
Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.
Occupation Actor/Writer
Years active 1987–present
Spouse(s) Julia (2000–present)
Children Gabe and Janie

David Anthony Higgins is an American comedic actor, best known for playing the roles of Craig Feldspar from Malcolm in the Middle, Joe in Ellen, and Reginald Bitters from Big Time Rush. He is currently starring in the series Mike & Molly as Harry.

Life and career

David Anthony Higgins was born on December 9, 1961 in Des Moines, Iowa, one of five children of Marian Higgins (née Coppola) and Harold Higgins, who managed the janitorial operations at West Des Moines schools.[1] After receiving encouragement from a fourth grade teacher, he won a scholarship to the Des Moines Playhouse where he performed in several summer operettas. He was raised in Des Moines and graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in 1980.[1] He attended the University of Iowa where he studied liberal arts until he realized he wanted to pursue a career in entertainment. Along with his brothers Steve and Alan and Dave Allen, he performed in a comedy troupe, Don't Quit Your Day Job[2] and performed at notable places including the Hotel Kirkwood.[3] Eventually, they toured in other states including California and received such good reception[4] that they got their own show on Comedy Central in 1989, The Higgins Boys and Gruber. After the show ended, they each started separate careers in comedy.[1][5] He received his big break when cast in 1995 as outspoken barista Joe in the retooled version of the sitcom Ellen.[6] He is perhaps most well recognized for his roles as Craig Feldspar in Malcolm in the Middle and Mr. Bitters in Big Time Rush. He has also served as a writer and co-star on the television show The Higgins Boys and Gruber and co-wrote The Wrong Guy with The Simpsons writer Jay Kogen and Dave Foley, a movie starring himself and Dave Foley. He also guest starred on Nickelodeon's True Jackson, VP as Dave. He appeared in 3 episodes as minor character Stan in American Horror Story: Murder House. He began recurring as Harry in season two of the CBS series Mike & Molly, and was then upgraded to a series regular in season three.

Personal life

In 2000, he married Julia and they have two children, Gabe and Janie. They live in Studio City, California.[1] In 2004, he was featured on a Hollywood edition of the Discovery Channel series Body Challenge where he worked with a personal trainer.[7][8] He is a fan of Laurel and Hardy and Buster Keaton.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Longden, Tom (2004-11-04). "Famous Iowans - David Anthony Higgins". desmoinesregister.com. Retrieved 2013-01-25.
  2. ↑ "Comic team outshines its material". Minneapolis Star-Tribune. 1988-01-09. Retrieved 2013-01-25.
  3. ↑ Curtis, Jared (2012-02-23). "A laughing matter". dmcityview.com. Retrieved 2013-01-25.
  4. ↑ 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.
  5. ↑ MacIntyre, April (2007-03-20). "M&C Interview: David Koechner/T-Bones, The Naked Trucker and 'Live At The Troubadour'". monstersandcritics.com. Retrieved 2013-01-25.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ "Discovery Health’s Body Challenge Goes to the Stars". cablefax.com. 2004-05-03. Retrieved 2013-01-25.
  8. ↑ "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.

External links