David Paymer Birthday: August 30, 1954 Birth Place: Oceanside, Long Island, New York, USA Height: 5' 7"
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Biography
A former theatre and psychology major at the University of Michigan, actor David Paymer's first Broadway success was in the long-running musical Grease. He tentatively launched his film career in the tiny but telling role of a cabbie in 1979's The In-Laws, then returned to working "live" as a performer and writer for The Comedy Store. A character actor even in his early twenties, Paymer displayed his versatility in a wealth of TV supporting roles on such weeklies as Cagney and Lacey, Diff'rent Strokes, The Commish and Downtown. Billy Crystal was so impressed with Paymer's work as ice-cream entrepreneur Ira Shalowitz in City Slickers (1991) that Crystal assigned him the plum role of Stan Yankelman, long-suffering brother and business manager of Berle-like comedian Buddy Young Jr., in Mister Saturday Night (1992). Convincingly playing an age range from 20 to 75, Paymer was honored with an Oscar nomination. Dividing his time between working in films and teaching classes at the Film Actor's Workshop, David Paymer has recently been seen as the angelic Hal in Heart and Souls (1993) and real-life TV producer Dan Enright in Robert Redford's Quiz Show (1994).
Education: Lee Strasberg Theater Institute; Professional Performing Arts School
Brother of Steve Paymer
After filming the original pilot for "St. Elsewhere," was replaced in the role of Dr. Wayne Fiscus by Howie Mandel.
Son of composer/pianist Marvin Paymer.
Billy Crystal was so impressed with his work in the film City Slickers that he immediately cast him in his next vehicle, Mr. Saturday Night, as Crystal's long- suffering brother who ages from 20-75. Paymer earned a supporting Oscar nomination for his efforts.
Majored in acting and psychology at University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, Michigan).
Taught acting classes at the Film Actor's Workshop.
Got his first big break playing the role of "Sonny" in both the national tour and the Broadway production of "Grease" in the 70s.
Wrote and performed stand-up comedy teaming with his older brother Steve at the Improv and Comedy Store venues in Los Angeles. The two later corroborated on the movie Candor City Hospital with David directing/acting and Steve writing.
Has worked opposite Sir Anthony Hopkins twice; first in Nixon, and then in Amistad. In both films, Hopkins plays a former U.S. President.
Played Dick Goodwin in the made-for-TV movie "RFK," the same person who sought out to expose the fixed game show his character produced for NBC in the movie "Quiz Show."