David Duchovny '74

Actor, Writer, Director, Musician

After almost 30 years in the spotlight and countless awards and nominations, David continues to push boundaries, paving the way as a trailblazer of creative expression and intent on redefining the limits of the celebrity status quo. 
David Duchovny is best known for his role as FBI agent Fox Mulder on the long-running hit television series The X-Files.  But his 20-year career is a model of exploration and growth—he continues to
take on new challenges and expand his reach. 
 
David’s GCS ties run deep. He is the son of long-time GCS teacher and Lower School Head, Meg Duchovny; at the peak of his celebrity, he married Téa Leone in a secret ceremony in Seymour Close (behind Tuttle Hall) while papparazzi buzzed outside.

David started out on an academic track: Collegiate, Princeton, and on to a Master’s Degree in English Lit from Yale. An exceptional writer, he began his Ph.D. at Yale, but then developed an interest in acting.  In 1987 he gave up his studies to pursue acting full time.

His big break came in 1993 when he was offered the role on The X-Files, which became an international success and propelled David into super-stardom. He went on to star in films (“Return to Me,” “Evolution,” “Zoolander”)  other successful TV roles (“Californication,” “Twin Peaks”).  He began directing for television episodes of the series he appeared in, and then  wrote and directed  a feature film,  “House of D,” in 2004. He appeared on an off-Broadway stage in Neal LaBute’s “Break of Noon” in 2010.

And it continues: at 49 David picked up a guitar for the first time.  In 2015 (five years later) he released his debut album, “Hell or Highwater,” published a debut novel, “Holy Cow,”  and is starring in a new TV series, “Aquarius.”  In addition, a highly anticipated reboot of The X-Files is set for January, and there is a second novel in the works. 

With dozens of nominations to his credit, some notable Awards:

1996 – National TV Awards, Most Popular Actor – The X-Files
1997 – Golden Globe Awards, Best Actor: Television Series Drama – The X-Files
1999 – American Comedy Awards, Funniest Male Guest Appearance in a Television Series – The Larry Sanders Show
2008 – Golden Globe Awards, Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy – Californication
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Grace Church School is a co-educational independent school in downtown Manhattan, New York City providing instruction for nearly 800 students in Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12.