David Hyde Pierce is an American actor who starred as Frasier Crane's brother Niles in the long-running sitcom Frasier. He has also appeared in various films and on Broadway.

After Proposition 8 in California, the bill blocking gay marriage in the state, was upheld by the California Supreme Court, Pierce spoke out on his outrage over the decision. He also announed that he had married his long-time partner, Brian Hargrove, in 2008, before same-sex marriages were prohibited.E! Online: David Hyde Pierce Reveals Marriage and Prop 8 Outrage

David Hyde Pierce was born in Saratoga Springs, New York. His father was an insurance agent, and his mother was an aspiring actress.

Pierce had a passion for playing the piano from an early age but decided to study acting when he attended Yale University for his undergraduate studies.

His big break came when he starred as Dr. Niles Crane in the NBC sitcom Frasier. Since then he has worked steadily on stage and in films, appearing in such stage productions as Spamalot and in such films as Down with Love.

• 1988: The Appointments of Dennis Jennings
• 1991: Little Man Tate
• 1993: Sleepless in Seattle
• 1993-2004: Frasier
• 1998: A Bug's Life
• 2001: Wet Hot American Summer
• 2003: Down with Love
• 2004: Hellboy
• 2007-present: Curtains

• Broadway.com: David Hyde Pierce, Q&A Interview (May 21, 2007)

• Note: The majority of the links in this timeline are to IMDb, which has pop-ups.

• 1959: Born on April 3 in Saratoga Springs, New York

• 1988: The Appointments of Dennis Jennings - IMDb Listing

• 1991: Little Man Tate - IMDb Listing | Rotten Tomatoes Reviews

• 1993: Sleepless in Seattle - IMDb Listing | Rotten Tomatoes Reviews

• 1993-2004: Frasier - IMDb Listing

• 1998: A Bug's Life - IMDb Listing | Rotten Tomatoes Reviews

• 2001: Wet Hot American Summer - IMDb Listing | Rotten Tomatoes Reviews

• 2003: Down with Love - IMDb Listing | Rotten Tomatoes Reviews

• 2004: Hellboy - IMDb Listing | Rotten Tomatoes Reviews

• 2007-Present: Curtains - IBDB Listing | The New York Times Review