Idol worship: David Hyde Pierce, actor/former Crane.- What he's known for: As the theater-going, opera-loving, French-spouting, are-you-sure-he's-straight psychiatrist, Dr. Niles Crane, on the long-running TV comedy classic Frasier.
- When did we first notice him: As a suicidal Congressman on the short-lived but well-remembered political sitcom The Powers That Be.
- Awards on his mantel: Four Emmys (out of 11 consecutive nominations, an Emmy record) for Frasier; Tony Award for Kander and Ebb's Curtains.
- Other choice roles: The "Tony Randall" role in Down With Love; brave Sir Robin on Broadway in Monty Python's Spamalot; notable voiceover roles in A Bug's Life, Treasure Planet, Hellboy and The Simpsons.
- Good works: Is active in the fight to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease, which his father and grandfather suffered from; he is also a regular supporter of HIV/AIDS charities and GLBT causes.
- Bet you didn't know: He played the piano often on Frasier, but he also plays the organ and initially studied classical piano at Yale; he graduated with a double major in English and Theatre Arts. While at Yale, he met Jodie Foster, who would later cast him in one of his first films, Little Man Tate.
- Yes, it's true: As a struggling actor in New York in the early days of his career, he took such jobs as selling ties at Bloomingdale's and working as a security guard.
- Butch hobby: Kickboxing.
- Can we quote you on that: "I can vividly recall telling a joke in, like, second grade and realizing it was funnier if I didn't laugh. I've been deadpan ever since."
- Domestic bliss: He and his partner, television writer/producer Brian Hargrove, reside in Los Angeles with their two Wheaton Terriers, Maude and Mabel.
- Latest project: Still knockin' 'em dead nightly in Curtains (through next summer). Here's a clip of him performing the showstopper, "Show People", with the original Broadway cast.
Links via Imdb.com, Playbill.com and YouTube.com.
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