For more than four decades, this comedian, actor, director and writer has delighted audiences the world over.
Steinberg’s acting career with Chicago’s Second City at a time when the improvisational comedy troupe was launching the careers of Mike Nichols, Elaine May, and Alan Arkin, among others. From there he graduated to Broadway, starring with Elliott Gould in Jules Feiffer’s Little Murders, followed by a starring role in Sidney Poitier’s Carry Me Back To Morningside Heights.
In the early ’70s, David’s career as a stand-up comedian was in high gear. Four comedy albums, two Grammy nominations, and a hugely successful nightclub act at the Bitter End in New York catapulted him into television both as an actor and a writer. The New York Times praised Steinberg as “the most original comedian in years.” In addition to his 140 guest host appearances on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show, second only to Bob Hope, David is also known for the memorable parts he created on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. David wrote and starred in The Music Scene for ABC, as well as The David Steinberg Show.
In 1982 Steinberg made his directorial debut with Paternity and, the following year, his TV directorial debut with an episode of Newhart. Other TV credits as director include episodes of The Golden Girls, Seinfeld, Mad About You, Weeds and Curb Your Enthusiasm. He won two Emmy Awards for his writing on Oscar telecasts in the early 90s.