Larry David

Who is Larry David?

Larry David, born Lawrence Gene David on July 2, 1947, in Brooklyn, New York, is a renowned American writer, producer, comedian, and actor, best known for his influential work in television. He made a significant mark in the entertainment industry with his role in creating and shaping some of the most iconic shows in television history.

Early Life and Career

David grew up in Brooklyn and attended the University of Maryland. In 1974, he began performing stand-up comedy in New York City clubs, which led him to explore television writing. By 1979, David was hired to write and perform for Fridays, a sketch comedy show that was designed to be a rival to Saturday Night Live. His work on Fridays laid the foundation for his future career, and in 1982, he joined the writing team of Saturday Night Live (SNL), where he worked for a year before moving on to other projects.

Seinfeld

Larry David’s career took a major leap in 1989 when comedian Jerry Seinfeld reached out to him to help develop a sitcom. The resulting collaboration led to the creation of Seinfeld, a groundbreaking show often referred to as “the show about nothing.” David served as the head writer and executive producer of the series, which starred Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards, and Jason Alexander. Although initially met with modest success, Seinfeld grew into one of the most influential and beloved television shows of all time. Its unique approach to comedy, featuring observational humor and often unconventional storylines, captivated audiences and garnered critical acclaim. David also made a cameo appearance in the show, notably influencing the character of George Costanza, who was based on David himself—an anxious, neurotic, and often self-serving individual.

Later Career

In 1998, Larry David wrote and directed the film Sour Grapes, which showcased his distinct comedic style. A year later, he returned to television with Curb Your Enthusiasm, a critically acclaimed series for HBO that he created, wrote, and starred in. Curb Your Enthusiasm further solidified David’s reputation as one of the foremost figures in television comedy, blending his signature humor with a unique improvisational style that resonates with audiences worldwide.

Critically Acclaimed Work

Larry David wrote and produced Seinfeld until 1996, when he departed the show to pursue a career in feature screenwriting. He returned for the series finale in 1998 and made numerous guest appearances throughout its run. In addition to his work on Seinfeld, David appeared in minor roles in Woody Allen’s Radio Days (1987) and New York Stories (1989). In 1998, he wrote and directed the feature film Sour Grapes, a dark comedy exploring the consequences of wealth and greed.

David’s next major success came in 1999 with the creation of Curb Your Enthusiasm for HBO. Initially airing as a special, the series features David playing a fictionalized version of himself—a neurotic stand-up comic returning to television after a long hiatus. The special’s success led to the creation of a weekly series, which is partially improvised and became known for its groundbreaking approach to comedy. Curb Your Enthusiasm won a Golden Globe in 2003 for Best Comedy Series and ran for 80 episodes before concluding in 2011. The show returned in 2017 for its ninth season, five years after its initial end, reaffirming its lasting impact on television.

When asked about resurrecting his character, David humorously referenced Julius Caesar, saying: “I left, I did nothing, I returned.”

Beyond Curb Your Enthusiasm, David has continued to work as both a writer and actor. In 2012, he appeared in the remake of The Three Stooges. He also starred in and wrote the made-for-TV movie Clear History (2013), which featured performances by Bill Hader, Jon Hamm, and Kate Hudson. Most recently, David has made frequent appearances on Saturday Night Live, where he has garnered attention for his impersonations of Democratic presidential nominee Bernie Sanders.

Personal Life

David married Laurie Lennard in 1993, and the couple has two daughters.