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David Schwimmer is best known for playing Ross Geller on the long running TV series “Friends”. But more than being just Ross he is a man who has worn many hats from director, to stage performer to father. He shares his views and opinions from a place of experience and his work shows his commitment.
David has discussed the quick jump to fame on Friends with honesty. This high level of public attention was very challenging while it took time for him to feel comfortable as an observer with an adjustment to his personal life. While sharing about the experience he noted some advice he would give to his younger self is to enjoy the journey and not always see everything as being so serious.
During that early period his new lifestyle lacked the privacy that was previously experienced before. While difficult it helped him to shape many of his viewpoints that he has discussed.
Since “Friends” concluded David stepped out of the lime light to focus on other areas of interest which involved working on screen, stage and in voice acting roles. He continued with many of his interests making sure not to take roles just for the sake of money but focused on projects he genuinely found intriguing.
In the second season of this show David takes a leap to do something very different playing a divorced dad which allows for a darker role than previous which features action comedy and also horror. He said a goal of his was to try different roles and step outside of his norm so he can be stretched as a professional.
In addition he portrayed Robert Kardashian in Ryan Murphy’s “American Crime Story” and he also played in “Six Days Seven Nights,” “Band of Brothers” and voiced Melman in “Madagascar”. This variety of styles also makes note to his commitment in all types of work and how he fully commits himself to every opportunity given.
With his professional decisions David has been choosing roles that expand him as a professional but it’s also for what makes him want to leave the comforts of home. He admits that he loves to enjoy his time as a father and that he is picky about his jobs that he feels will be important. his decision on "Goosebumps" was partly due to it being filmed in New York. Where he currently resides, allowing him time with his family.
He gravitates towards jobs where he feels pushed as an actor. His willingness to explore different personas from previous characters he has taken on shows his versatility.
Schwimmer is thankful for the long life of "Friends" with the continued fan engagement to be as influential as it has become over decades. The show continues to bring many people joy around the globe.
Fans still approach David quoting lines from the show. He even remembers some things while in conversation with other co-stars with past clips resurfacing from past experiences that are also shown on social media. There are fond memories and feelings towards the project and how it brings joy.
There is also the influence that Friends has on pop culture that will stay relevant with future audiences. Many have learned English with it or have enjoyed the program while suffering through difficulties in their personal life and it provides great context for how this project impacted viewers outside of an entertainment level.
To better serve his current role David has had to lean into characters he has portrayed over his acting career, pulling from the same places of connection that he did as a young actor. As his character explores loss of his brother as well as many mysteries from the past. With a more dramatic approach and new physical activity to include stunts he was required to portray new acting range, demonstrating versatility throughout the story lines.
The role had given him opportunity to work through a variety of character layers using a mix of action horror and comedy. For the series a theme explored was the importance of family connection and love being just as important as fighting deadly enemies. He did not want to rely only on comedy and took time to bring true dimensions for his audience’s benefit.