‘The Good Wife’ Adds David Hyde Pierce In Recurring Role
David Hyde Pierce, the four-time Emmy award-winning Frasier star, is returning to television in a recurring role on CBS’ The Good Wife. The stint on the critically acclaimed drama will mark Pierce’s first major TV role since Frasier ended its run in 2004.
Pierce will join the show in the role of a legal commentator who runs for office in Chicago. The show, which was renewed for a sixth season after a hugely successful and critically acclaimed fifth season, stars Julianna Margulies and was created by Robert and Michelle King.
In a statement, the Kings shared their excitement over David’s addition to the series: “We couldn’t be more thrilled and flattered that David’s making ‘The Good Wife’ his first TV role since ‘Frasier.’ We’re tremendous fans of his dramatic skills as well as his comedy.” Pierce has yet to make a statement about his addition to the show.
Throughout his time on Frasier playing Kelsey Grammer’s brother Niles, Pierce maintained a successful film and theater career that continued past the long running show’s finale. Known for such films as Nixon and Sleepless in Seattle, 55-year-old David also appeared on Broadway in Monty Python’s Spamalot and won a Tony award for his role in Curtains. Though his Good Wife appearance will serve as a more full-scale return to television for the seasoned actor, Pierce has made a number of small guest appearances on shows in the past, many of which were voiceover roles. His distinctive voice has landed him voice roles in such films as Osmosis Jones and A Bug’s Life. The actor also voiced the role of Cecil Terwilliger on The Simpsons, opposite his Frasier co-star Kelsey Grammer. David’s character on the long-running Fox cartoon comedy was the brother of Grammer’s Simpsons character Sideshow Bob.
It was recently reported that Netflix is in talks to produce a prequel series to the 2001 cult hit Wet Hot American Summer, which co-starred Pierce alongside Amy Poehler, Paul Rudd, and Elizabeth Banks. Although the original cast signed on, David has yet to confirm his involvement with the project.
David came out publicly in 2007 after years of speculation regarding his sexuality, and married partner Brian Hargrove the following year. The actor spoke out against Prop 8 on ABC’s The View in 2009, and also publicly announced he and Hargrove’s marriage on the talk show. Pierce is also an advocate for Alzheimer’s Disease awareness, testifying in Washington D.C. in support of funding for treatment. David campaigned for the passing of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act.
David Hyde Pierce isn’t the only star coming to The Good Wife. Taye Diggs and Steven Pasquale will appear in the upcoming season, along with returning actors Kyle MacLachlan and Kelli Giddish. Pierce will debut in episode seven of the new season, which just earned Margulies her second Emmy for her portrayal of Alicia Florrick on the series. Just how long David’s stint on the CBS drama will last has yet to be revealed.
The Good Wife returns to CBS on September 21.
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