Personal details
Born:
- Birthday: 1975-07-21
- Born Place: Pennsylvania, USA
David Dastmalchian
David Dastmalchian, born on July 21, 1975, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, is an American actor, writer, and producer renowned for his captivating character portrayals across film and television. Raised in Overland Park, Kansas, he cultivated an early interest in theater and comics, eventually attending The Theatre School at DePaul University, from which he graduated in 1999. His early life was marked by personal struggles, including a battle with heroin addiction for five years, an experience he later channeled into his semi-autobiographical screenplay for the film Animals (2014).Dastmalchian's career took off with his memorable debut as Thomas Schiff, a disturbed henchman of the Joker, in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight (2008). This small but impactful role opened doors to a diverse range of projects. He has since become a familiar face in major franchises, appearing in both the Marvel and DC universes. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he's known for his roles as Kurt and Veb in the Ant-Man films. For DC, he's played Abra Kadabra in The CW's The Flash and the endearing Polka-Dot Man in James Gunn's The Suicide Squad (2021), a role that garnered significant praise for its emotional depth.Beyond superhero films, Dastmalchian has consistently delivered powerful performances in critically acclaimed movies, often collaborating with esteemed directors. He has worked with Denis Villeneuve on multiple occasions, appearing in Prisoners (2013), Blade Runner 2049 (2017), and Dune (2021) as Piter De Vries. His other notable film credits include Bird Box (2018), Oppenheimer (2023) as William L. Borden, The Boogeyman (2023), and a leading role in the highly praised horror film Late Night with the Devil (2024), which he also produced under his company Good Fiend Films. On television, he's had recurring roles in series like MacGyver as the antagonist Murdoc, Gotham, and Twin Peaks: The Return.In addition to his acting career, Dastmalchian is a prolific writer, having penned the screenplay for Animals and a comic book series called Count Crowley for Dark Horse Comics. His work often delves into complex, troubled characters, reflecting a fascination with darker themes and the human experience. Dastmalchian is also an advocate for mental health and substance abuse treatment programs, using his platform to share his personal journey. With his distinctive presence and ability to inhabit a wide array of roles, David Dastmalchian has firmly established himself as one of Hollywood's most versatile and compelling character actors.
