Editing David Schwimmer (section)

==Career==

===1989–1994: Early work===
After his supporting role debut in the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] television film ''A Deadly Silence'' (1989),<ref>{{cite journal|first=Daniel|last=Ruth|title=Nagging problems leave gaps in 'A Deadly Silence'|date=April 14, 1989|journal=Chicago Sun-Times|page=65}}</ref> Schwimmer followed this with roles on the legal drama ''[[L.A. Law]]'' in 1992, and the comedy-drama series ''[[The Wonder Years]]''.<ref name="guard"/> He made his feature film debut in ''[[Flight of the Intruder]]'' (1991),<ref name="yahoo"/> had a recurring role as a lawyer-turned-vigilante in ''[[NYPD Blue]]'' before auditioning, unsuccessfully, for a series pilot called ''Couples''.<ref name="yahoo"/> He landed his first regular series role as the liberal son of a conservative talk show host ([[Henry Winkler]]) in the sitcom ''[[Monty (TV series)|Monty]]''.<ref name="yahoo"/>

===1994–2004: Breakthrough===
[[File:David Schwimmer 2005 Madagascar.jpg|thumb|Schwimmer at the London premiere of ''[[Madagascar (2005 film)|Madagascar]]'' in 2005]]
In 1994, Schwimmer was cast as [[Ross Geller]] in [[NBC]]'s situation comedy ''[[Friends]]'', a series that revolved around a group of friends who live near each other in [[Manhattan]]. He played a hopeless-romantic [[Paleontology|paleontologist]] who works at a museum and later becomes a professor at a university. Schwimmer initially turned down the role as Ross, but accepted later.<ref name="behind">{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna4908086|title=Can David Schwimmer leave Ross Geller behind?|last=Couric|first=Katie|date=May 5, 2004|work=[[NBC News]]|access-date=January 17, 2009 }}</ref> Executive producer [[Kevin S. Bright]] said that he had previously worked with Schwimmer,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/community/chat/2002-04-23-friends.htm|title='Friends': Kevin Bright|date=January 1, 2005 | work = [[USA Today]]|access-date=January 20, 2009 | archive-date= July 15, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130715065109/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/community/chat/2002-04-23-friends.htm | url-status=live}}</ref> the character of Ross was written with him in mind, and he was the first actor cast.<ref name="behind" /> The show debuted on September 22, 1994, and was watched by almost 22 million American viewers.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna4899445 |title='Friends' creators share show's beginnings |last=Lauer |first=Matt |date=May 5, 2004 |work=[[NBC News]] |access-date=January 20, 2009 }}</ref> ''Friends'' quickly developed a loyal audience, with the show and Schwimmer receiving strong reviews. Much of the ''Friends'' success is attributed to the plotline between his character Ross and his on-again-off-again love interest Rachel, which has been described as one of the greatest TV couples of all time by various media outlets.<ref>{{Cite web |title=See our favorite pairings from Lucy and Desi to Ross and Rachel and more |url=https://www.tvguide.com/galleries/best-tv-couples-1026715/3/ |access-date=November 12, 2023 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Holly |title=25 of the best TV couples of all time |url=https://www.insider.com/best-tv-couples-2018-4 |access-date=November 12, 2023 |website=Insider |language=en-US}}</ref> The ''[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]'' was complimentary of Schwimmer, calling him "terrific".<ref>{{cite journal|first=Robert|last=Bianco|title=Six 'Friends' Sittin' Around, Talking|date=September 22, 1994|journal=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]|page=C1}}</ref> ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s television reviewer said: "All six of the principals, especially (Courteney) Cox and Schwimmer, appear resourceful and display sharp sitcom skills".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117903158.html?categoryid=32&cs=1|title=Friends|last=Scott|first=Tony|date=September 22, 1994|work=Variety |access-date=June 19, 2009}}</ref> For this performance, he earned a [[Primetime Emmy Award]] nomination for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series]] in 1995.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/21/arts/er-leads-nominations-for-emmy-awards.html|title='E.R.' Leads Nominations for Emmy Awards|date=July 21, 1995|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 20, 2009}}</ref>

Schwimmer starred in his first leading film role in the 1996 romantic comedy film, ''[[The Pallbearer]]'' with [[Gwyneth Paltrow]].<ref name="pall">{{cite news|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/mem/movies/review.html?res=9A02E4D71739F930A35756C0A960958260|title=Young Love at a Funeral|last=Maslin|first=Janet|date=May 3, 1996|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 20, 2009}}</ref> In the film, Schwimmer plays a man asked to deliver the eulogy for a high school friend he cannot remember, and begins an affair with the friend's mother. Critics dismissed ''The Pallbearer'' as a poor imitation of the 1967 film ''[[The Graduate]]''.<ref>{{cite journal|first=Dennis|last=King|title=The Pallbearer|date=May 4, 1996|journal=[[Tulsa World]]|page=D4}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|first=Daniel|last=Neman|title='Graduate' Returns As 'The Pallbearer'|date=May 4, 1996|journal=[[Richmond Times-Dispatch]]|page=B-7}}</ref> ''Variety''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s film reviewer complimented the actor, writing that he had enjoyed his performance, stating that he displayed "a winning, if rather deadpan, personality along with good comic timing".<ref name="pall staff"/> It also concluded that Schwimmer had a "promising bigscreen future".<ref name="pall staff">{{cite news|url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117905198.html?categoryid=31&cs=1&query=%22The+Pallbearer%22|title=The Pallbearer Review|last=McCarthy|first=Todd|date=April 29, 1996|work=Variety |access-date=January 29, 2009}}</ref> [[Janet Maslin]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' cited that his first film "relegates him to a drab role".<ref name="pall" /> When asked why he decided to accept the role, Schwimmer admitted the decision was to "make an effort to find roles that are as far away from the character of Ross as possible."<ref name="guard"/> Schwimmer was chosen to play a leading role in the 1997 ''[[Men in Black (1997 film)|Men in Black]]'' but he turned it down. He later regretted this decision. Ultimately, [[Will Smith]] got the role.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sharf |first1=Zack |title=David Schwimmer Says Rejecting 'Men in Black' Offer Was a 'Brutal Decision' and It 'Would've Made Me a Movie Star'; He Chose to Direct a Film Instead |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/david-schwimmer-rejected-men-in-black-offer-brutal-decision-1236148577/ |website=Variety |date=September 18, 2024 |access-date=19 September 2024}}</ref>

His next film roles, in 1998, were ''[[Kissing a Fool]]'', ''[[Six Days, Seven Nights]]'', and ''[[Apt Pupil (film)|Apt Pupil]]''. In ''Kissing a Fool'', a romantic comedy, Schwimmer played Max, a smart-mouthed, but dapper and charming man.<ref name="fool">{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/1998/02/27/DD82740.DTL&type=printable|title=Film Review – New Angles Freshen 'Kissing'|last=LaSalle|first=Mick|date=February 27, 1998|work=San Francisco Chronicle|access-date=January 20, 2009}}</ref> [[Mick LaSalle]] of the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' wrote, "Fans of the sitcom ''Friends'' may be surprised by David Schwimmer in ''Kissing a Fool''. [...] Take it from someone who has never seen ''Friends'' and comes at Schwimmer with no preconceptions: He does just fine. As a TV sports reporter in ''Kissing a Fool'', he oozes the command and self-satisfaction of a young, successful man."<ref name="fool" /> The film was critically and financially unsuccessful.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/kissing_a_fool/|title=Kissing a Fool|date=February 27, 1998|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=January 20, 2009}}</ref> In ''Six Days, Seven Nights'', he played the boyfriend of [[Anne Heche]]'s character. In ''Apt Pupil'', adapted from a [[Apt Pupil|novella of the same name]] by [[Stephen King]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/Movies/9810/21/review.apt.pupil/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010509035523/http://edition.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/Movies/9810/21/review.apt.pupil/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 9, 2001|title=Review: 'Apt Pupil' gets an 'A'|last=Clinton|first=Paul|date=October 21, 1998|publisher=[[CNN|CNN: Showbiz/Movies]]|access-date=January 20, 2009}}</ref> he had a supporting role as a school guidance counselor. "I was scared of the part", Schwimmer said, "but I wanted to be part of the movie". At the time, he noted it was a "little frustrating" that people would typecast him due to his role on ''Friends''.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Welkos|first=Robert W.|title=Young director follows up 'Usual Suspects'|journal=[[The Tampa Tribune]]|date=May 4, 1997}} (Reprinted from the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''.)</ref> He subsequently appeared opposite [[Woody Allen]] and [[Sharon Stone]] in [[Alfonso Arau]]'s straight-to-cable comedy ''[[Picking Up the Pieces (film)|Picking Up the Pieces]]'' (2000).<ref name="tv">{{Cite web |title= David Schwimmer Credits |url= https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/david-schwimmer/credits/3000029337/ |work= tvguide.com |access-date=January 21, 2024}}</ref>

In 2001, Schwimmer played [[Herbert Sobel|Captain Herbert M. Sobel]] in [[Steven Spielberg]] and [[Tom Hanks]]' [[HBO]] [[World War II]] [[miniseries]] ''[[Band of Brothers (miniseries)|Band of Brothers]]''. The television miniseries is based on the book of the same title written by historian and biographer [[Stephen Ambrose]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/TV/09/07/band.brothers/index.html|title=Enlist TV for 'Band of Brothers'|last=Clinton|first=Paul|date=September 7, 2001|publisher=[[CNN|CNN: Showbiz/Movies]]|access-date=January 20, 2009}}</ref> Although ''Band of Brothers'' was met with largely positive reception,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/band_of_brothers/ |title=Band of Brothers |date=September 9, 2001 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date=January 20, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090126204130/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/band_of_brothers/ |archive-date=January 26, 2009 }}</ref> Schwimmer's performance was criticized; the [[BBC News]] concluded, "Part of the problem&nbsp;... may have been the ridiculous fact that ''Friends'' favourite David Schwimmer plays the hard and cruel Captain Herbert Sobel. The only thing believable about Schwimmer's acting is when he cowers in the face of true battle. His puppy dog eyes make him appear even more pitiful."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1544232.stm|title=Band of Brothers impresses|last=Hill|first=Aubrey|date=September 14, 2001|work=BBC News |access-date=January 20, 2009}}</ref> Later that year he portrayed [[Icchak Cukierman|Yitzhak Zuckerman]] in the war drama ''[[Uprising (2001 film)|Uprising]]'', based on the true events of the [[Warsaw Ghetto Uprising]] in 1943.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2001/11/02/DD157481.DTL|title='Uprising' has Emmy potential|last=Carman|first=John|date=November 2, 2001|work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]]|access-date=January 30, 2009 | archive-date= May 25, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130525220454/http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Uprising-has-Emmy-potential-Miniseries-about-2861522.php | url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117916244.html?categoryid=32&cs=1&query=%27Uprising%27|title=Uprising Review|last=Oxman|first=Steven|date=October 31, 2001|work=Variety |access-date=January 30, 2009}}</ref>

In March 2004, Schwimmer appeared as himself on HBO's comedy series ''[[Curb Your Enthusiasm]]''.<ref>{{cite news|first=Tim|last=Walker|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/small-world-how-television-ate-itself-1811071.html|title=Small world: How television ate itself|access-date=June 21, 2010|date=October 29, 2009|work=[[The Independent]] |location=UK}}</ref> During the lengthy run of ''Friends'', Schwimmer directed ten of the show's episodes.<ref name="directs">{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/21/PKUNVG5N8.DTL|title=Schwimmer directs 1st film, 'Run, Fat Boy'|last=Stein|first=Ruthe|date=March 21, 2008|work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]]|access-date=January 21, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2008/scene/markets-festivals/schwimmer-directing-little-britain-1117986969/|title=Schwimmer directing 'Little Britain'|last=Fleming|first=Michael|date=June 5, 2008|work=Variety |access-date=January 20, 2009}}</ref> The show's tenth and final season ended on May 6, 2004.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna4917464 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100701092139/http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/4917464 |url-status=live |archive-date=July 1, 2010 |title=Goodbye, old ''Friends'' |publisher=[[MSNBC]]|date=March 4, 2005 |access-date=January 20, 2009}}</ref>

===2004–2010: Directing===
[[File:David Schwimmer.jpg|left|thumb|Schwimmer at the premiere of his directorial debut, ''[[Run Fatboy Run]]'' in 2007]]
In 2004, Schwimmer was director and executive producer on ''Nevermind Nirvana'', a sitcom about an [[Indian Americans|Indian American]] family that was not picked up by NBC.<ref>{{cite news |title=Schwimmer trying to find new friends on TV pilots|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/schwimmer-trying-to-find-new-friends-on-tv-pilots-deck/article995184/ |access-date=October 29, 2023 |work=The Globe and Mail |date=March 6, 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Adalian |first1=Josef |title=Inside Move: Team attains 'Nirvana' |url=https://variety.com/2004/scene/markets-festivals/inside-move-team-attains-nirvana-1117912281/ |access-date=October 29, 2023 |work=Variety |date=October 20, 2023}}</ref> After ''Friends'', Schwimmer starred in the 2005 independent drama ''[[Duane Hopwood]]'', as the title character, who is an alcoholic whose life is spiraling downward rapidly after a divorce and is looking to turn his life around. The film received ambivalent reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/duane-hopwood|title=Duane Hopwood (2005): Reviews|date=November 11, 2005|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=January 20, 2009}}</ref> Despite the reception, Schwimmer's performance was favored by critics; [[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' reported that the role was Schwimmer's "career-transforming performance".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20051117%2FREVIEWS%2F51114001%2F1023|title=Duane Hopwood|date=November 18, 2005|work=Chicago Sun-Times|access-date=January 20, 2009|archive-date=January 5, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090105192643/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20051117%2FREVIEWS%2F51114001%2F1023|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Duane Hopwood'' was screened at a special presentation at the 2005 [[Sundance Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2005-01-24-sundance_x.htm|title=Sundance festival fills small town to the rafters|last=Puig|first=Claudia|date=January 24, 2005|work=USA Today|access-date=January 20, 2009}}</ref> Furthermore, in the same year he voiced [[List of Madagascar (franchise) characters#Melman|Melman]], a [[hypochondriac]] [[giraffe]], in the animated film ''[[Madagascar (2005 film)|Madagascar]]'' (2005).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Movies/05/27/review.madagascar/index.html|title=Review: Enjoyable trip to 'Madagascar'|last=Clinton|first=Paul|date=May 27, 2005|publisher=[[CNN|CNN: Showbiz/Movies]]|access-date=January 20, 2009}}</ref> ''[[The Washington Post]]'' noted that Schwimmer is particularly appealing as Melman.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/26/AR2005052601775.html?sub=AR|title=A Roar of Approval|last=Hornaday|first=Ann|date=May 26, 2005|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=June 11, 2009}}</ref> Despite the mixed response from critics,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/madagascar|title=Madagascar (2005): Reviews|date=May 27, 2005|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=January 20, 2009}}</ref> the film was a commercial success, earning US$532&nbsp;million worldwide,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=madagascar.htm|title=Madagascar (2005)|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=August 11, 2012}}</ref> making it one of the biggest hits of 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=2005&p=.htm|title=2005 Yearly Box Office Results|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=January 21, 2009}}</ref>

Schwimmer starred on the London stage in May 2005, with [[Catherine Tate]], [[Lesley Manville]], [[Sara Powell]], and [[Saffron Burrows]], in [[Neil LaBute]]'s ''[[Some Girl(s)]]'' at the [[Gielgud Theatre]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4297091.stm|title=Friends star set for London stage|date=February 25, 2005|work=BBC News |access-date=January 20, 2009}}</ref> In the production, he plays a teacher who is ready to settle down and marry, but decides to visit four ex-girlfriends first.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/article526315.ece|title=Some Girl(s)|last=Nightingale|first=Benedict|date=May 25, 2005|work=The Times |location=UK |access-date=June 19, 2009 |archive-date= June 15, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110615094301/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/article526315.ece}}</ref> For his performance, Schwimmer received critical reviews. ''[[The Independent]]'' wrote that Schwimmer "is not called upon to extend his range nearly as far as one might have expected in ''Some Girl(s).'' [...] Schwimmer remains bland, competent, and boyish—though not fatally boyish in the manner that appears to have turned these women on."<ref name="some reviews">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4578615.stm|title=Press views: Some Girl(s)|date=May 25, 2005|work=BBC News |access-date=January 20, 2009}}</ref> However, [[Charles Spencer (journalist)|Charles Spencer]] of ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' praised Schwimmer, reporting he "proves inspired casting. He takes to the stage with&nbsp;... his endearing gaucheness seems designed to ensure our continued sympathy. Schwimmer mercilessly lays bare his character's opportunism, casual cruelties, and chronic self-deception."<ref name="some reviews"/>

In 2006, he made his [[Broadway theater|Broadway]] debut in [[Herman Wouk]]'s two-act play ''[[The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial (play)|The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1183560,00.html|title=David Schwimmer to Debut on Broadway|last=Chiu|first=Alexis|date=April 16, 2006|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|access-date=January 21, 2009|archive-date=February 5, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205123736/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1183560,00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Schwimmer played the role of Lieutenant Barney Greenwald in the production, which was directed by [[Jerry Zaks]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/theater/news/2005-12-08-schwimmer-broadway_x.htm|title=David Schwimmer to make his Broadway debut|date=December 8, 2005|agency=[[Associated Press]]|work=USA Today|access-date=January 21, 2009}}</ref> In an interview with ''[[New York (magazine)|New York]]'' magazine, he revealed that he had wanted to try Broadway, however said "a couple of things came up that just never quite felt right. Either because I liked the play but wasn't hot on the director, or there was another star attached that I wasn't jazzed about working with."<ref name="why">{{cite news|url=https://nymag.com/arts/theater/features/16847/|title=Seriously, Folks|last=Dobkin|first=Matt|date=May 1, 2006|work=New York|access-date=January 21, 2009|archive-date= September 18, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130918074725/http://nymag.com/arts/theater/features/16847/}}</ref> He further added that when showed a copy of Wouk's novel "...I was shocked at how good the writing was."<ref name="why"/> His next film role was in the 2006 black comedy ''[[Big Nothing]]'', in which he played a bitter, unemployed scientist.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2006/dec/01/comedy1|title=Big Nothing|last=Bradshaw|first=Peter|date=December 1, 2006|work=The Guardian |location=UK |access-date=January 20, 2009}}</ref>

Schwimmer made his directorial feature debut in the 2007 British comedy film ''[[Run Fatboy Run]]''. The film stars [[Simon Pegg]] as an out of shape man who signs up for a marathon to convince his former fiancée and five-year-old son that he has turned his life around.<ref name="directs"/> When asked why he decided to direct the film, Schwimmer said: "As a director, I was struck by the challenge that I thought the script presented, which was that it was kind of three films in one. You had some great, big physical comedy, and I thought funny dialogue and characters. And then there was some real emotion to it with the relationship between the father and the son and the romance aspect."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/ent/stories/DN-schwimmer_0328gl.State.Edition1.25342d2.html|title=Challenging script drew David Schwimmer to direct 'Run Fatboy Run'|last=Becker|first=Stephen|date=March 28, 2008|work=[[The Dallas Morning News]]|access-date=January 21, 2009 | archive-date= April 3, 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080403043355/http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/ent/stories/DN-schwimmer_0328gl.State.Edition1.25342d2.html}}</ref> ''Run Fatboy Run'' garnered mixed reception, with the ''[[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]]'' rating it one-and-a-half out of five stars and writing, "Most disappointing is how Schwimmer—who spent 10 seasons on a sitcom filled with hyperverbal characters—manages to bumble 'Fatboy's' tender moments."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/2008/03/28/2008-03-28_run_fatboy_run_logs_few_smiles.html|title='Run, Fatboy, Run' logs few smiles|last=Neumaier|first=Joe|date=March 28, 2008|work=[[Daily News (New York)]]|access-date=June 11, 2009|archive-date=January 12, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100112024609/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/2008/03/28/2008-03-28_run_fatboy_run_logs_few_smiles.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[USA Today]]'', however, was favorable towards Schwimmer, reporting he possesses filmmaking finesse "having wisely chosen strong comic material for his debut behind the camera".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2008-03-27-run-fat-boy_N.htm|title=Romantically funny 'Fat Boy' is a winner|last=Puig|first=Claudia|date=March 27, 2008|work=USA Today|access-date=January 21, 2009}}</ref> For his directorial work, he was nominated for a [[British Independent Film Award]] in the category of Best Debut Director.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.variety.com/awardcentral_article/VR1117974503.html?nav=news&categoryid=1983&cs=1|title='Control' leads BIFA race|last=Thomas|first=Archie|date=October 28, 2007|work=Variety |access-date=February 23, 2009}}</ref>

On November 8, 2007, Schwimmer made a guest appearance in the [[30 Rock (season 2)|second season]] of the television series ''[[30 Rock]]'', where he played [[Greenzo]], an NBC environmental mascot.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/columnist/criticscorner/2007-11-07-critics-corner_N.htm|title=Critic's Corner Thursday|last=Bianco|first=Robert|date=November 7, 2007|work=USA Today|access-date=June 12, 2009}}</ref> The following year, he was part of an [[ensemble cast]] that included [[Kate Beckinsale]], [[Matt Dillon]], [[Alan Alda]], [[Angela Bassett]], and [[Noah Wyle]] in the thriller ''[[Nothing but the Truth (2008 American film)|Nothing But the Truth]]'' (2008).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2009/01/nothing-but-the-truth.html|title=Nothing But the Truth|last=Medina|first=Jeremy|date=January 8, 2009|work=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]|access-date=January 29, 2009 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090119063632/http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2009/01/nothing-but-the-truth.html | archive-date=January 19, 2009| url-status=live}}</ref> The movie received generally favorable reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/nothing-but-the-truth|title=Nothing But the Truth (2008): Reviews|date=December 17, 2008|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=June 10, 2009}}</ref> The success of ''Madagascar'' led Schwimmer to return to the role of Melman in the 2008 sequel, ''[[Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa]]''. The film earned US$603&nbsp;million at the international box office.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=madagascar2.htm|title=Madagascar:Escape 2 Africa|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=August 11, 2012}}</ref> Schwimmer took part in directing in-studio segments for ''[[Little Britain USA]]'', an American spin-off of the British [[BBC]] television series ''[[Little Britain (sketch show)|Little Britain]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/lost-in-translation-british-tv-goes-abroad-13924014.html|title=Lost in translation: British TV goes abroad|date=July 29, 2008|work=[[The Belfast Telegraph]]| access-date=January 21, 2009}}</ref> In regard to this, he commented that he had "a good time directing episodes" for the show.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/latest/2008/10/27/schwimmer-wants-more-little-britain-115875-20844836/|title=Schwimmer wants more Little Britain|date=October 27, 2008|work=Daily Mirror |location=UK|access-date=May 26, 2009}}</ref>

In October 2008, Schwimmer made his Off-Broadway directorial debut in ''Fault Lines'' at the [[Cherry Lane Theatre]] in New York.<ref name="fault">{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/news/am-fault1002,2,3228021.story|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120803130405/http://www.latimes.com/news/am-fault1002,2,3228021.story|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 3, 2012|title='Fault Lines': David Schwimmer's Off-Broadway debut nothing new|last=Windman|first=Matt|date=October 2, 2008|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 26, 2009}}</ref> The production won a mixed review from the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', which wrote: "Based on ''Fault Lines''&nbsp;... we can't really tell whether Schwimmer has much talent as a director. We're surprised he didn't try something more challenging for his debut. If not much else, Schwimmer has encouraged his actors to intense their energy levels and comic timing at all costs".<ref name="fault"/> The ''[[New York Post]]'', however, noted that Schwimmer "knows a thing or two about freewheeling banter&nbsp;... and for a good while the play crackles with terrific dialogue, expertly delivered".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/theater/item_wVAR0XywtA11ZvX7S6E55L;jsessionid=4A71583620086427D6B0CBDFF17888A9 |title=Booze-Fueled Night Lasts a Round too Long |last=Scheck |first=Frank |date=October 1, 2008 |work=New York Post |access-date=June 11, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019013453/http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/theater/item_wVAR0XywtA11ZvX7S6E55L%3Bjsessionid%3D4A71583620086427D6B0CBDFF17888A9 |archive-date=October 19, 2012 }}</ref> In February 2009, he returned to theater in a Chicago production of [[Thornton Wilder]]'s three-act play ''[[Our Town]]'' as George Gibbs at the [[Lookingglass Theatre Company|Lookingglass Theatre]].<ref name="town">{{cite news|url=http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/the_theater_loop/2009/02/our-town.html|title=Schwimmer the emotional core of 'Our Town' in search of a small town|last=Jones|first=Chris|date=February 23, 2009|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=June 10, 2009}}</ref><ref name="so">{{cite news|url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117939754.html?categoryid=33&cs=1|title=Theater Review: Our Town|last=Oxman|first=Steven|date=February 23, 2009|work=Variety |access-date=June 10, 2009}}</ref> "Schwimmer&nbsp;... turns in a poignant, richly textured and demonstrably heartfelt performance as George Gibbs. I've seen a fair bit of Schwimmer's post-''Friends'' stage work in London and New York, and I've never seen him better", commented the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''.<ref name="town" />

On August 2, 2009, Schwimmer played himself in the [[List of Entourage episodes#Season 6 (2009)|sixth season]] of the [[HBO]] television series, ''[[Entourage (U.S. TV series)|Entourage]]''. In the episode, [[Ari Gold (Entourage)|Ari Gold]]'s ([[Jeremy Piven]]) agency tries to steer his career back to television.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://watching-tv.ew.com/2009/08/03/entourage-review-aug-2/|title='Entourage': Send in the Schwimmer!|last=Tucker|first=Ken|date=August 2, 2009|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=August 3, 2009}}</ref> Schwimmer directed his second feature, ''[[Trust (2010 film)|Trust]]'', starring [[Clive Owen]] and [[Catherine Keener]]. The film, a drama, is about a family whose teenage daughter becomes victim of an online sexual predator.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE59E12120091015| title=Owen, Keener to star in Schwimmer's "Trust"| last=Kit| first=Borys|date=October 15, 2009|work=The Hollywood Reporter|agency=Reuters |access-date=October 27, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iPPyJ7GuNJUMmNNzeXNpQoC-WpQAD9CAQ3Q00 |first=Mike |last=Householder |title=Schwimmer back in the director's chair for 'Trust' |access-date=December 2, 2009 |date=December 1, 2009 |agency=Associated Press |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240524192255/https://www.webcitation.org/5lj5fD0BE?url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iPPyJ7GuNJUMmNNzeXNpQoC-WpQAD9CAQ3Q00 |archive-date=May 24, 2024 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''Trust'' premiered at the [[2010 Toronto International Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Jane|last=Stevenson|url=http://www.torontosun.com/entertainment/tiff/2010/2010/09/11/15320176.html|title='Trust' spotlights online horror|access-date=September 14, 2010|date=September 11, 2010|newspaper=Toronto Sun}}</ref>

===2010–present: Return to television===
On January 1, 2011, Schwimmer guest-starred on the British comedy series ''[[Come Fly with Me (2010 TV series)|Come Fly with Me]]'' starring [[Matt Lucas]] and [[David Walliams]], whom he directed in ''Little Britain USA''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/7772326-david-schwimmer-cameos-on-controversial-come-fly-with-me |title=David Schwimmer cameos on controversial 'Come Fly With Me' |work=allvoices |date=January 2, 2011 |access-date=January 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110122055335/http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/7772326-david-schwimmer-cameos-on-controversial-come-fly-with-me |archive-date=January 22, 2011  }}</ref> The following year, he returned to voice Melman the Giraffe in ''[[Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/celebrities/david-schwimmer-talks-madagascar-3-europe-s-most-wanted-1.3753112|title=David Schwimmer talks 'Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted'|first=Frank|last=Lovece|newspaper=[[Newsday]]|date=June 1, 2012|access-date=March 29, 2020}}</ref> In 2013, Schwimmer appeared  as Josh Rosenthal, a mobster who was brought up by the notorious [[Roy DeMeo]] and part of the [[Gambino Family]], alongside [[Michael Shannon]] in ''[[The Iceman (film)|The Iceman]]''.<ref name="tv"/>

In 2014, Schwimmer was cast as the lead in the ABC comedy pilot ''Irreversible'', playing "one half of a somewhat eccentric, self-absorbed couple".<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/friends-alum-david-schwimmer-star-676298 |title='Friends' Alum David Schwimmer to Star in ABC Comedy 'Irreversible'|magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> In 2016, Schwimmer played [[Robert Kardashian]] in the first season of the FX anthology series ''[[American Crime Story]]''. He received a [[Primetime Emmy Award]] nomination for his performance.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://variety.com/2014/tv/news/david-schwimmer-robert-kardashian-american-crime-story-1201383917/ |title=David Schwimmer Cast as Robert Kardashian in FX's 'American Crime Story'|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=December 19, 2014}}</ref> In January 2016,  Schwimmer and [[Jim Sturgess]] were cast to star in the new [[AMC (TV channel)|AMC]] [[crime drama]] ''[[Feed the Beast (TV series)|Feed the Beast]]''. The series premiered on June 5, 2016, and aired 10 episodes through August before being canceled.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Andereeva|first1=Nellie|title='Feed The Beast' Canceled By AMC After One Season|url=https://deadline.com/2016/09/feed-the-beast-canceled-amc-one-season-no-season-2-1201812886/|magazine=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=September 30, 2016}}</ref> In November 2016, it was announced that Schwimmer would star in his first audio series.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.avclub.com/article/oscar-isaac-catherine-keener-and-david-schwimmer-a-245206|title=Oscar Isaac, Catherine Keener, and David Schwimmer are making a podcast|first=Sam|last=Barsanti|magazine=[[The A.V. Club]]|access-date=July 26, 2018}}</ref> [[Gimlet Media]]'s [[podcast]] ''[[Gimlet Media#Homecoming|Homecoming]]'' began airing on November 16, 2016.

In April 2017, Schwimmer helped adapt the films of [[Sigal Avin]] for a US audience. The six short features depict sexual harassment at work by men on women.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a9215169/david-schwimmer-interview-sigal-avin-harassment/|title=David Schwimmer Launches New Campaign to Fight Sexual Harassment|date=April 3, 2017|magazine=[[Cosmopolitan (magazine)|Cosmopolitan]]|access-date=July 26, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/apr/12/david-schwimmers-sexual-harassment-videos-are-good-but-theyre-womens-work|title=David Schwimmer's sexual harassment films are good. But this is women's work - Van Badham|first=Van|last=Badham|date=April 12, 2017|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|location=UK|access-date=July 26, 2018}}</ref>

In 2020, Schwimmer was cast as a main character in the British sitcom ''[[Intelligence (British TV series)|Intelligence]]'' broadcast on [[Sky One]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1240926/Intelligence-Sky-release-date-cast-trailer-plot-when-is-new-series-out-NOW-TV|title=Intelligence on Sky release date cast trailer plot: When is the new series out?|last=Mitchell|first=Molli|date=February 11, 2020|newspaper=[[Daily Express]]|location=UK|language=en|access-date=February 12, 2020}}</ref>  In the same year, he was a celebrity reader on [[CBeebies]] Bedtime Stories,<ref>{{Citation|title=Bedtime Stories {{!}} David Schwimmer {{!}} If I Had a Sleepy Sloth {{!}} CBeebies| date=February 27, 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qE0FTns5yX0|language=en|access-date=November 5, 2021}}</ref> and was signed as the face of British banking chain [[TSB Bank (United Kingdom)|TSB]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lbbonline.com/news/friends-star-david-schwimmer-urges-the-uk-to-get-the-most-out-of-life-in-tsb-spot|title=Friends Star David Schwimmer Urges the UK to Get the Most Out of Life in TSB Spot|date=December 23, 2020|access-date=January 27, 2021}}</ref>

Schwimmer featured in [[Jews Don't Count#Documentary adaptation|''Jews Don't Count'']], a 2022 documentary by British Jewish comedian [[David Baddiel]] on the subject of [[antisemitism]]. Schwimmer's contribution, in which he said that he has never felt white, was described as "erudite" by Rebecca Nicholson of ''[[The Guardian]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nicholson |first1=Rebecca |title=David Baddiel: Jews Don't Count review – a doc so shocking it sounds like a siren |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/nov/21/david-baddiel-jews-dont-count-review-a-doc-so-shocking-it-sounds-like-a-siren |access-date=October 29, 2023 |work=The Guardian |date=November 21, 2022}}</ref>

From January 2025, Schwimmer starred in season 2 of the anthology horror series ''[[Goosebumps (2023 TV series)|Goosebumps]]'', based on the [[Goosebumps|book series of the same name]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/03/david-schwimmer-goosebumps-anthology-series-season-2-1235863622/|title=David Schwimmer To Lead Season 2 Of Disney+ Anthology Series 'Goosebumps'|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Rosy|last=Cordero|date=March 20, 2024|access-date=October 21, 2024|archive-date=March 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240320220036/https://deadline.com/2024/03/david-schwimmer-goosebumps-anthology-series-season-2-1235863622/|url-status=live}}</ref>