David Krumholtz

David Krumholtz – Life, Career, and Memorable Quotes

Discover the life and work of David Krumholtz (born May 15, 1978), an American actor with a wide-ranging career on stage, film, and television—from Numb3rs to Oppenheimer. Explore his early life, key roles, personal journey, and lessons from his path.

Introduction

David Krumholtz is a versatile actor whose body of work spans Broadway, films, and television. Whether playing the mathematically brilliant Charlie Eppes in Numb3rs, portraying Bernard the elf in The Santa Clause franchise, or stepping into historical drama in Oppenheimer, Krumholtz demonstrates both range and consistency. His career also reflects resilience, reinvention, and a grounded personal life.

Early Life and Family

David Krumholtz was born on May 15, 1978, in New York City, and raised in the Queens borough.

He is the son of Michael Krumholtz, who worked as a postal service employee, and Judy Krumholtz, a dental assistant.

His family background is Jewish; his paternal grandparents emigrated from Poland, and his mother emigrated from Hungary in 1956.

Krumholtz grew up in a “working-class, almost poor” household.

He attended local public schools in Queens, including J.H.S. 157 Stephen A. and briefly Forest Hills High School.

Entry into Acting & Early Career

Krumholtz’s acting journey began at age 13. He joined his friends at an audition for the Broadway play Conversations with My Father (1992) and landed the role of Young Charlie.

That Broadway debut led to roles in films in the early 1990s:

• Life with Mikey (1993) – Barry Corman

• Addams Family Values (1993) – Joel Glicker

It was during these early years that he began building a reputation for being reliable in both dramatic roles and lighter fare.

He also played Bernard, the head elf, in The Santa Clause (1994) and its sequel, which became one of his enduring roles.

Breakthrough & Signature Roles

Numb3rs (2005–2010)

One of Krumholtz’s best-known roles is Charlie Eppes, a mathematical genius who assists his brother in solving FBI cases, in the CBS series Numb3rs.

Through that role, he demonstrated his capacity to portray intellect, emotional nuance, and relationships with family and colleagues.

Film & Supporting Work

Krumholtz has appeared in a wide range of films, often in supporting but memorable roles:

• 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) — Michael Eckman

• Harold & Kumar film series — Goldstein (2004–2011)

• Oppenheimer (2023) — Isidor Isaac Rabi

• Other films: The Ice Storm, Slums of Beverly Hills, Serenity, Superbad, Hail, Caesar!, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, and more.

Return to Stage

He returned to Broadway in 2022 in Tom Stoppard’s play Leopoldstadt, playing Hermann Merz. That performance earned him a Drama League Award nomination.

Personal Life & Challenges

Marriage and Children

Krumholtz married actress Vanessa Britting (née Vanessa Almeda Goonan) on May 22, 2010, in New York City.

They have two children (a daughter and a son) born in the 2010s.

They moved from Los Angeles to Wyckoff, New Jersey in 2017.

Health & Personal Challenges

In July 2011, Krumholtz was diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

He underwent treatment (radioactive iodine) and by early 2012 was pronounced cancer-free.

In October 2024, a profile in The New York Times revealed he had been hospitalized several times and lost over 100 pounds due to Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. He said he has since stopped using marijuana.

Style, Themes & Strengths

• Versatility: Krumholtz has been successful in comedy, drama, fantasy, and stage, which indicates a wide-ranging ability to adapt to tone and medium.

• Character actor strength: Even in supporting roles, he often brings depth and memorability to characters.

• Understated presence: He often plays roles not defined by overt charisma, but by authenticity and subtle emotional layers.

• Loyal to roles: Returning to Bernard decades later shows an appreciation for the characters who shaped his career. As he revealed, during The Santa Clause 2 filming he helped avert a fire on set by evacuating ~150 children.

Memorable Quotes

Here are a few quotes attributed to David Krumholtz:

“I was a really irresponsibly, unprofessionally behaved child … I was egomaniacal.”

“Always be nice” — advice from Michael J. Fox that Krumholtz says he carries with him.

These snippets reflect his self-awareness and humility about his early career and growth as a professional.

Lessons from David Krumholtz’s Journey

1. Start where opportunity lies. His Broadway audition began almost by chance, but he accepted the role and built momentum.

2. Be adaptable. His ability to move between TV, film, and stage kept his career resilient.

3. Respect your past roles. He resisted Bernard’s role early on, but later returned to it with new appreciation, showing growth in perspective.

4. Health is part of career. Confronting and overcoming cancer—and later severe health issues—speaks to courage beyond performance.

5. Kindness matters. The advice from Michael J. Fox (“always be nice”) had a profound influence on how he conducts himself today.