David Paymer was born on August 30, 1954 in Oceanside, Long Island, New York. Growing up in a traditional middle class Jewish family, his parents had great expectations of their son becoming a doctor or a lawyer.
In Oceanside, New York David Paymer's father had a scrap metal business. His mother, a homemaker, fled Belgium with her family to escape the Nazis. Paymer's father eventually quit his business to pursue a music career and became a famous composer and pianist. David's brother, Actor Steve Paymer was in TWINS in 2006.
David Paymer majored in acting and psychology at the University of Michigan. David also attended the Lee Strasberg Theater Insitute; Professional Performing Arts School.
Liz Georges married David Paymer in 1988. They have two children.
Giving of his free time, David Paymer taught acting classes at the Film Actor's Workshop.
David Paymer's first big break was playing the role of Sonny in both the national tour and the Broadway Production of GREASE in the 70s.
Paymer's first big screen break was the role of Ira Shalowitz in CITY SLICKERS in 1991. Crystal liked David Paymer's performance so much that he wrote the part of Stan Yankelman's beleaguered brother of the titular character in the movie MR. SATURDAY NIGHT especially for Paymer. Paymer earned an Oscar Nomination for his part.
The brothers, David and Steve Paymer wrote and performed stand-up comedy at the Improv and Comedy Store venues in Los Angeles. The two later worked together on the movie CANDOR CITY HOSPITAL with David directing and Steve Writing.
David Paymer's other credits include -
REDBELT - 2008
OCEAN'S THIRTEEN - 2007
RESUUECTING THE CHAMP - 2007
CHECKING OUT - 2005
INTO THE WEST - TV Miniseries - 2005
JACK & BOBBY - TV - 2004
EVERWOOD - TV - Director - 2004 - 2005
LINE OF FIRE - TV - 2003
CANDOR CITY HOSPITAL - Actor and Director - 2003
RFK - 2002
BOUNCE - 2000
PAYBACK - 1999
MUMFORD -1999
MIGHTY JOE YOUNG - 1998
AMISTAD - 1997
NIXON - 1995
CITY SLICKERS II: THE LEGEND OF CURLY'S GOLD - 1994
MR. SATURDAY NIGHT - 1992
CITY SLICKERS - 1991
THE ABSENT-MINDED PROFESSOR - TV - 1988
NO WAY OUT - 1987
HOWARD THE DUCK - 1986
IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES - 1984
THE IN-LAWS - 1979
Awards achieved by David Paymer include -
Florida Film Critics Circle Awards - STATE AND MAIN - 2001
National Board of Review - STATE AND MAIN - 2000
Online Film Critics Society Awards - STATE AND MAIN - 2001
David Paymer - MovieActors.com
