David Schwimmer is an Emmy nominated actor and director. In 2004, his career took off when he accepted the role of Ross Gellar in the successful sitcom Friends. The role of Gellar was written especially for him by the creators of the show. Friends proved to be extremely popular and lasted 10 seasons. Schwimmer was a part of the show from beginning to end. His role earned him an Emmy nomination, making him the first cast member to receive that nomination.

In 1989, Schwimmer made his film debut in the made for television movie A Deadly Silence in which he played a murderer. From 1991 - 1992, Schwimmer appeared on four episodes of The Wonder Years as the hippie fiancee of Olivia d'Abo. In 2001, Schwimmer also appeared in the mini-series Band of Brothers, as Capt. Herbert Sobel. In 2008, he stars in Nothing But the Truth and provides the voice of Melman, the giraffe, in the animated film Madagascar Escape 2 Africa.

"It's a job - someone's gotta kiss Jennifer Aniston. The reality is, Jennifer and I can do our job well because we truly are friends. But when the day's over, she goes home to her boyfriend and I go home to a magazine."Friend's Cafe: David Schwimmer Facts

"It's really important to me not to be known as Ross when I'm 60."Friend's Cafe: David Schwimmer Facts

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

• 1966: Born on November 2

• 1991-1992: The Wonder Years

• 1992-1993: L.A. Law

• 1993: NYPD Blue

• 1993: Blossom

• 1994-2004: Friends

• 1998: Apt Pupil

• 2001: Band of Brothers

• 2005: Madagascar

• 2008: Madagascar 2

• 2008: Nothing But the Truth

• 2008: Madagascar: The Crate Escape