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David Marshall Grant (born June 21, 1955) is an American actor, singer and writer.


Life and career

Grant was born in
Westport, Connecticut Westport is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States, along the Long Island Sound within Connecticut's Gold Coast. It is northeast of New York City. The town had a population of 27,141 according to the 2020 U.S. Census. History ...
, to physician parents. Immediately after graduating from
Connecticut College Connecticut College (Conn College or Conn) is a private liberal arts college in New London, Connecticut. It is a residential, four-year undergraduate institution with nearly all of its approximately 1,815 students living on campus. The college w ...
with an M.F.A. and receiving a certificate in fine arts from the
Yale School of Drama The David Geffen School of Drama at Yale University is a graduate professional school of Yale University, located in New Haven, Connecticut. Founded in 1924 as the Department of Drama in the School of Fine Arts, the school provides training in e ...
, his first paying job was as
Richard Gere Richard Tiffany Gere ( ; born August 31, 1949) is an American actor. He began in films in the 1970s, playing a supporting role in '' Looking for Mr. Goodbar'' (1977) and a starring role in ''Days of Heaven'' (1978). He came to prominence with ...
's lover in the
Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...
play '' Bent''. A student at
Juilliard The Juilliard School ( ) is a private performing arts conservatory in New York City. Established in 1905, the school trains about 850 undergraduate and graduate students in dance, drama, and music. It is widely regarded as one of the most elit ...
during summer breaks from high school, Grant soon joined the Yale Repertory Company during his college days, and in 1978, made a great impression in the play ''Bent''. His first screen role was in the 1979 film ''
French Postcards French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...
''. He went on to appear in several more films, both on the big screen and television. In 1985, he co-starred with
Kevin Costner Kevin Michael Costner (born January 18, 1955) is an American actor, producer, film director and musician. He has received various accolades, including two Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and two Screen Actor ...
in
John Badham John MacDonald Badham (born August 25, 1939) is an English television and film director, best known for his films ''Saturday Night Fever'' (1977), ''Dracula'' (1979), ''Blue Thunder'' (1983), ''WarGames'' (1983), ''Short Circuit'' (1986), and ...
's film on bicycle racing, '' American Flyers''. By this time, Grant was also working in episodic television and also had the role of
Digger Barnes Digger or diggers may refer to: * Excavator, heavy construction equipment consisting of a boom, dipper, bucket and cab on a rotating platform known as the "house". * Backhoe loaders and backhoes are often known as diggers or mini diggers in Britis ...
in the miniseries '' Dallas: The Early Years'' in 1986. In 1987 he played Sonny Binkley in the
Matt Dillon Matthew Raymond Dillon (born February 18, 1964) is an American actor. He has received various accolades, including an Oscar and Grammy nomination. Dillon made his feature film debut in '' Over the Edge'' (1979) and established himself as a te ...
film '' The Big Town''. In 1989, he portrayed the gay character Russell Weller on the television show ''
thirtysomething ''Thirtysomething'' is an American drama television series created by Edward Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz for United Artists Television (under MGM/UA Television) and aired on ABC from September 29, 1987, to May 28, 1991."The 'don't trust anyo ...
''. Although he only appeared in four episodes between 1989 and 1990, the role brought him considerable recognition, particularly in one groundbreaking episode that featured his character in bed with another male character – a scene that caused outcry among conservative sponsors at the time. Grant went on to play roles in various television shows and movies, including '' Happy Birthday, Gemini'', ''
Legs A leg is a weight-bearing and locomotive anatomical structure, usually having a columnar shape. During locomotion, legs function as "extensible struts". The combination of movements at all joints can be modeled as a single, linear element ...
'', '' Labor of Love'', ''
CSI: Miami ''CSI: Miami'' (''Crime Scene Investigation: Miami'') is an American police procedural drama television series that ran from September 23, 2002 until April 8, 2012 on CBS. Featuring David Caruso as Lieutenant Horatio Caine, Emily Procter as Dete ...
'', ''
Law & Order ''Law & Order'' is an American police procedural and legal drama television series created by Dick Wolf and produced by Wolf Entertainment, launching the '' Law & Order'' franchise. ''Law & Order'' aired its entire run on NBC, premiering on ...
'', ''
Criminal Minds ''Criminal Minds'' is an American police procedural crime drama television series created and produced by Jeff Davis (writer), Jeff Davis. The series premiered on CBS on September 22, 2005, and originally concluded on February 19, 2020; it was r ...
'', and ''
Alias Alias may refer to: * Pseudonym * Pen name * Nickname Arts and entertainment Film and television * ''Alias'' (2013 film), a 2013 Canadian documentary film * ''Alias'' (TV series), an American action thriller series 2001–2006 * ''Alias the ...
''. In 2004, he played a gay husband in the remake of ''
The Stepford Wives ''The Stepford Wives'' is a 1972 satirical "feminist horror" novel by Ira Levin. The story concerns Joanna Eberhart, a talented photographer, wife and young mother who suspects that something in Stepford's environment is changing the wives fr ...
'', and played the father of
Anne Hathaway Anne Jacqueline Hathaway (born November 12, 1982) is an American actress. The recipient of List of awards and nominations received by Anne Hathaway, various accolades, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Primetime Emmy Awar ...
's character in the 2006 film '' The Devil Wears Prada''. His last appearance on television was in an episode of ''
Party Down ''Party Down'' is an American sitcom created and primarily written by John Enbom, Rob Thomas (writer), Rob Thomas, Dan Etheridge and Paul Rudd that aired on the Starz network in the United States in 2009 and 2010. The series follows a group of c ...
'' in May 2009. On the stage, Grant is most notable for his portrayal of Joe Pitt in the first Broadway production of
Tony Kushner Anthony Robert Kushner (born July 16, 1956) is an American author, playwright, and screenwriter. Lauded for his work on stage he's most known for his seminal work ''Angels in America'' which earned a Pulitzer Prize and a Tony Award. At the turn ...
's ''
Angels in America ''Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes'' is a two-part play by American playwright Tony Kushner. The work won numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the Tony Award for Best Play, and the Drama Desk Award for O ...
''. The role earned him a 1994
Tony Award The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Award, recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual cer ...
nomination as Best Actor (Featured Role – Play). In 1998, Grant began a career as a writer. His first play, ''Snakebit'', premiered at NYC's
Grove Street Playhouse The Grove Street Playhouse, also known during its existence as the Courtyard Playhouse, was an off-Broadway theatre located on Grove Street in the West Village The West Village is a neighborhood in the western section of the larger Greenw ...
and subsequently transferred to the Century Theatre. The play was nominated for the 1999
Drama Desk Award The Drama Desk Award is an annual prize recognizing excellence in New York theatre. First bestowed in 1955 as the Vernon Rice Award, the prize initially honored Off-Broadway productions, as well as Off-off-Broadway, and those in the vicinity. Fo ...
for Outstanding Play and was also nominated for an
Outer Critics Circle Award The Outer Critics Circle Awards are presented annually for theatrical achievements both on Broadway and Off-Broadway. They are presented by the Outer Critics Circle (OCC), the official organization of New York theater writers for out-of-town newspa ...
. His second play, ''Current Events'', was produced by
Manhattan Theatre Club Manhattan Theatre Club (MTC) is a theatre company located in New York City, affiliated with the League of Resident Theatres. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Lynne Meadow and Executive Producer Barry Grove, Manhattan Theatre Club has gr ...
in 2000. His most recent play, ''
Pen A pen is a common writing instrument that applies ink to a surface, usually paper, for writing or drawing. Early pens such as reed pens, quill pens, dip pens and ruling pens held a small amount of ink on a nib or in a small void or cavity wh ...
'', opened in 2006 at
Playwrights Horizons Playwrights Horizons is a not-for-profit Off-Broadway theater located in New York City dedicated to the support and development of contemporary American playwrights, composers, and lyricists, and to the production of their new work. Under the ...
. Also in 2006, he began working for the ABC drama series '' Brothers & Sisters'' as a screenwriter, story editor and (as of season 2 in September 2007), a series producer. In October 2009, he was named 'Head Showrunner'. The show was co-produced by
Ken Olin Kenneth Edward Olin (born July 30, 1954) is an American actor, television director, and producer. He is known for his role as Michael Steadman in the ABC drama series ''Thirtysomething'' (1987–1991), for which he received a Golden Globe Award ...
, whom Grant had worked with on ''thirtysomething'' many years earlier. In 2012, he was a writer and producer on the NBC musical series '' Smash''. Grant is the great-great-grandson of the first couple to have their wedding featured in the famous wedding announcement section of the ''New York Times''. He is also a distant cousin to
Ulysses S. Grant Ulysses S. Grant (born Hiram Ulysses Grant ; April 27, 1822July 23, 1885) was an American military officer and politician who served as the 18th president of the United States from 1869 to 1877. As Commanding General, he led the Union Ar ...
, the 18th President of the United States.


Film and television

*''
French Postcards French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...
'' (1979) as Alex *'' Happy Birthday, Gemini'' (1980) as Randy *'' American Flyers'' (1985) as David Sommers *'' Dallas: The Early Years'' (1986) as
Digger Barnes Digger or diggers may refer to: * Excavator, heavy construction equipment consisting of a boom, dipper, bucket and cab on a rotating platform known as the "house". * Backhoe loaders and backhoes are often known as diggers or mini diggers in Britis ...
*'' The Big Town'' (1987) as Sonny Binkley *''
Bat*21 ''Bat*21'' is a 1988 American war film directed by Peter Markle, and adapted from the book by William C. Anderson, novelist and retired United States Air Force colonel. Set during the Vietnam War, the film is a dramatization based upon the rescu ...
'' (1988) as Ross Carver * '' Breaking Point'' (1989) as Osterman *''
thirtysomething ''Thirtysomething'' is an American drama television series created by Edward Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz for United Artists Television (under MGM/UA Television) and aired on ABC from September 29, 1987, to May 28, 1991."The 'don't trust anyo ...
'' (5 episodes between 1989 and 1990) as Russell Weller *'' Air America'' (1990) as Rob Diehl *'' Strictly Business'' (1991) as David *''
Citizen Cohn ''Citizen Cohn'' is a 1992 cable film covering the life of Joseph McCarthy's controversial chief counsel Roy Cohn. James Woods, who starred as Cohn, was nominated for both an Emmy and a Golden Globe for his performance. ''Citizen Cohn'' also st ...
'' (1992) as
Robert Kennedy Robert Francis Kennedy (November 20, 1925June 6, 1968), also known by his initials RFK and by the nickname Bobby, was an American lawyer and politician who served as the 64th United States Attorney General from January 1961 to September 1964, a ...
*'' Forever Young'' (1992) as Lt. Col. Wilcox, USAF *'' Through the Eyes of a Killer'' (1992) TV as Max Campbell *''
And the Band Played On ''And the Band Played On: Politics, People, and the AIDS Epidemic'' is a 1987 book by ''San Francisco Chronicle'' journalist Randy Shilts. The book chronicles the discovery and spread of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immun ...
'' (1993) as Dennis Seeley *''
Chicago Hope ''Chicago Hope'' is an American medical drama television series, created by David E. Kelley. It originally aired on CBS from September 18, 1994, to May 4, 2000. The series is set in a fictional private charitable hospital in Chicago, Illinois. ...
'' episode "Internal Affairs" (March 20, 1995) as Stephen Tomilson *'' Three Wishes'' (1995) as Phil *'' The Chamber'' (1996) as Governor David McAllister *'' The Rock'' as White House Chief of Staff Hayden Sinclair *''
A Season in Purgatory ''A Season in Purgatory'' is a 1993 novel by Dominick Dunne. It was inspired by the 1975 murder of Martha Moxley, for which Ethel Skakel Kennedy's nephew Michael Skakel was eventually convicted. Dunne became fascinated with the story after coveri ...
'' (1996) miniseries *''
Law & Order ''Law & Order'' is an American police procedural and legal drama television series created by Dick Wolf and produced by Wolf Entertainment, launching the '' Law & Order'' franchise. ''Law & Order'' aired its entire run on NBC, premiering on ...
'' episode "Harvest" (October 29, 1997) and episode "Shadow" (November 26, 1997) as Charlie Harmon *'' Nothing Sacred'' (6 episodes in 1998, 3 unaired) as Fr. Martin Briggs *''
Law & Order: Criminal Intent ''Law & Order: Criminal Intent'' is an American police procedural Drama (film and television), drama television series set in New York City, where it was also primarily produced. Created and Executive producer#Motion pictures and television, p ...
'' episode "Best Defense" (October 20, 2002) *''
The Stepford Wives ''The Stepford Wives'' is a 1972 satirical "feminist horror" novel by Ira Levin. The story concerns Joanna Eberhart, a talented photographer, wife and young mother who suspects that something in Stepford's environment is changing the wives fr ...
'' (2004) as Jerry Harmon *''
Numb3rs ''Numbers'' (stylized as ''NUMB3RS'') is an American crime drama television series that was broadcast on CBS from January 23, 2005, to March 12, 2010, for six seasons and 118 episodes. The series was created by Nicolas Falacci and Cheryl Heuton ...
'' episode "Dirty Bomb" (April 22, 2005) as Brent Hauser *''
CSI: Miami ''CSI: Miami'' (''Crime Scene Investigation: Miami'') is an American police procedural drama television series that ran from September 23, 2002 until April 8, 2012 on CBS. Featuring David Caruso as Lieutenant Horatio Caine, Emily Procter as Dete ...
'' episode "Murder in a Flash" (2005) as Headmaster Brooks *'' The Devil Wears Prada'' (2006) as Richard Sachs


References


External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Grant, David Marshall 1955 births American male film actors American male television actors Living people People from Westport, Connecticut Yale School of Drama alumni American gay writers American gay actors American gay musicians Male actors from Connecticut Writers from Connecticut LGBT people from Connecticut 20th-century American male actors 21st-century American male actors 21st-century American dramatists and playwrights 20th-century American dramatists and playwrights American male dramatists and playwrights 20th-century American male writers 21st-century American male writers 21st-century LGBT people