David Cross’ net worth stems from his comedy, film and television career. He is an Emmy Award winner and Grammy Award nominee American comedian, writer, producer and actor. He gained widespread recognition for co-creating and starring in the HBO sketch comedy series Mr. Show with Bob and David and for portraying Dr. Tobias Fünke in the acclaimed sitcom Arrested Development.

Table of Contents

David Cross net worth

The estimated David Cross net worth is $10 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. His financial success is liked to his decades-long career in entertainment. Acting roles in successful television series and films, including Arrested Development, Mr. Show with Bob and David, and the Kung Fu Panda franchise, have contributed to his earnings.

Other significant income sources include stand-up comedy tours, television and streaming specials, comedy album sales, voice acting, writing, producing, and merchandise sales. His published book, I Drink for a Reason, and other creative ventures have also added to his income.

Career highlights

David Cross is best known for his sharp political satire, unconventional humor, and memorable performances in television and film.

Comedy

He began performing stand-up comedy at approximately 17 years old. He left college after one semester and became involved in sketch comedy through a student group called This Is Pathetic.

Subsequently, he developed his stand-up career in Boston, participating in the city’s alternative comedy scene before becoming a regular performer at Catch a Rising Star in the early 1990s.

Later, he formed the sketch comedy collective Cross Comedy, which staged frequent performances featuring unconventional humor and satirical audience interactions.

His move to Los Angeles and involvement in the alternative comedy club Un-Cabaret helped him build professional connections and expand his opportunities in entertainment.

David Cross has also maintained a successful stand-up career, tours, releasing comedy albums and specials that combine political commentary, cultural criticism, and provocative humor.

His notable works include The Pride Is Back, Shut Up You Fucking Baby!, It’s Not Funny, Bigger and Blackerer, Making America Great Again!, and Oh, Come On.

Television

His television career gained momentum when he joined the writing team of The Ben Stiller Show. His work on the series earned him a 1993 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing in a Variety or Music Program, marking an important milestone in his career.

In 1995, he and Bob Odenkirk co-created Mr. Show with Bob and David, an influential sketch comedy programme. The series developed a devoted following and received three Emmy nominations, including recognition for writing and music and lyrics.

David Cross later reunited with Odenkirk for the Netflix sketch comedy series W/ Bob & David, which premiered in 2015.

He further expanded his popularity through Arrested Development, in which he portrayed Tobias Fünke, an eccentric former psychiatrist and aspiring actor whose awkward behavior became a defining feature of the series.

The sitcom received widespread critical acclaim and won multiple awards, while he earned recognition alongside the ensemble cast, including Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for outstanding performance by a comedy series ensemble.

He also appeared in The Colbert Report and starred in and co-created several other television projects, including The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret, Freak Show, and Bliss.

His television credits also include Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Goliath, Genius: Aretha, and Station Eleven.

As of 2026, he has a recurring role in the adult animated series, President Curtis.

Film

In addition to television, David Cross has also built an extensive film career. He appeared in “Men in Black” and “Men in Black II”, played Ian Hawke in the Alvin and the Chipmunks film series, and voiced Crane in the Kung Fu Panda franchise.

His other film credits include “Ghost World”, “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”, “I’m Not There”, “The Post”, “Megamind”, “Pitch Perfect 2” and “Sorry to Bother You”.

In 2014, he made his feature film directorial debut with “Hits”. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and attracted attention for its unconventional distribution strategy, which included digital distribution through BitTorrent and a crowdfunding campaign to support its wider release.

His 2003 tour film, “Let America Laugh”, documented his performances at alternative and independent music venues.

In 2013, he collaborated with Odenkirk and Brian Posehn on Hollywood Said No!, a collection of abandoned scripts, unfinished film projects, and other previously unpublished comedy material.

Between 2013 and 2026, David Cross appeared in a variety of films and documentaries, showcasing his versatility as an actor, voice performer, writer, director, and producer. His film credits include “Kill Your Darlings” and “Obvious Child”.

He later appeared in “Pitch Perfect 2” and voiced Crane in “Kung Fu Panda 3” and the short film “Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Scroll”.

Cross continued appearing in prominent productions, playing Howard Simons in “The Post” alongside Tom Hanks and providing the voice of Cash’s white voice in “Sorry to Bother You”.

He also voiced Dr. Rice and the Q-Bots in the animated film “Next Gen”. His subsequent roles included appearances in the documentary Beastie Boys Story and the drama “The Dark Divide”, “8-Bit Christmas” and “You Hurt My Feelings”. In 2025, he appeared as Steve in “Oh, Hi!”.

His upcoming projects include the documentary Bob and David Climb Machu Picchu , in which he appears as himself and serves as a producer, and “Lucy Schulman”.

Achievements

David Cross’ stand-up career has earned him two Grammy Award nominations for Best Comedy Album: one for Shut Up You Fucking Baby! at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards and another for …America…Great… at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards.

His comedy special The Pride Is Back, was included in Rolling Stone’s list of the 25 best stand-up comedy specials and concert films of all time in 2015.

He was also associated with the ensemble cast of Arrested Development, which received multiple Screen Actors Guild Award nominations.

In addition, he directed the music video for the Black Keys’ song “10 A.M. Automatic”, which Paste magazine ranked 24th on its list of the 50 best music videos of the 2000s.

Conclusion on David Cross net worth

In conclusion, David Cross’ wealth comes from his combination of provocative stand-up, inventive sketch writing, character acting, and independent filmmaking. His Emmy-winning writing, Grammy-nominated comedy albums, and memorable portrayal of Tobias Fünke have helped sustain his reputation across several decades. His diverse body of work, coupled with continued live performances and creative projects, has made him a recognizable figure in comedy and mainstream entertainment.