David Sullivan (actor)
A versatile character actor whose face is familiar from countless film and TV roles, often bringing a grounded, relatable presence to both comedy and drama.
Born 1977 (age 49)·American film and television actor·Birthday: April 29·Generation X
Biography
David Sullivan is one of those actors whose name you might not immediately know, but whose face you instantly recognize. With a career spanning decades, he has built a solid reputation as a dependable and nuanced character actor. He first gained wider attention with a poignant role in the acclaimed 1999 film 'The Straight Story,' directed by David Lynch, where he held his own alongside veteran actor Richard Farnsworth. This early performance set the tone for a career defined by subtlety and authenticity rather than flashy star turns. Sullivan has since appeared in a wide array of projects, from blockbuster films like 'The Guardian' to cult television series such as 'The X-Files' and 'CSI.' He excels at portraying everyday people—the neighbor, the co-worker, the concerned citizen—infusing them with a depth that makes them memorable. His work is a reminder of the essential foundation that skilled character actors provide to the storytelling landscape.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
David was born in 1977, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When David Was Born
The biggest hits of 1977
#1 Movie
Star Wars
Best Picture
Annie Hall
#1 TV Show
Happy Days
David's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1977Born
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1982Started school
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1990Became a teenager
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1993Could drive
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1995Could vote
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Turned 21
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2007Turned 30
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2017Turned 40
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 49 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Appeared in David Lynch's 'The Straight Story' as a sympathetic hitchhiker who shares a journey with the film's protagonist.
- Played a supporting role in the hit 2006 Coast Guard drama film 'The Guardian' starring Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher.
- Guest-starred in numerous popular TV series, including 'The X-Files,' 'CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,' and 'Without a Trace'.
- Portrayed recurring character Deputy Andy in the first season of the ABC drama 'Big Sky'.
- Has a extensive filmography with roles in independent films like 'The Last Winter' and major studio productions.
Did You Know?
He played a small role in the 1998 science fiction thriller 'The X-Files' film, which tied into the TV series.
He is sometimes credited as David Wade Sullivan, using his full middle name.
He appeared in an episode of 'The West Wing' titled 'The War at Home'.
His early work includes a role in the 1992 film 'The Waterdance' alongside Eric Stoltz and Wesley Snipes.
He has worked with a diverse range of directors, from David Lynch to Andrew Davis.
“My job is to make the lead believable, to be the real person in the room.”
