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David Anthony Higgins

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David Anthony Higgins
Born (1961-12-09) December 9, 1961 (age 62)
Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actor
  • writer
  • producer
Years active1987–present
Spouse
Julia Higgins
​
​
(m. 2000)​
Children2
RelativesSteve Higgins (brother)
Alan J. Higgins (brother)

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.

Early life and education

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Higgins 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

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Higgins, 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

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In 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

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Film

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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

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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

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  1. ^ "Marian Higgins Obituary (1932 - 2011) - Des Moines, IA - the Des Moines Register". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ "Comic team outshines its material". Minneapolis Star-Tribune. 1988-01-09. Retrieved 2013-01-25.
  5. ^ Curtis, Jared (2012-02-23). "A laughing matter". dmcityview.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-18. Retrieved 2013-01-25.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "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.
  10. ^ "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.
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