David Hyde Pierce at Saratoga Springs High School in 1977 and David Hyde Pierce in 2011
Pierce is best known for his career-making role as neurotic know-it-all little brother
Niles Crane on the hit Frasier. But he has long been a theater guy, performing in shows like
Curtains, Spamalot, and
The Importance of Being Earnest. Pierce—who has won numerous Emmys and Tonys---just closed
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, alongside Sigourney Weaver. He's now starring in
The Landing--a musical written by his nephew. Pierce’s 'stache has also made several encore performances, including in
the 2001 movie Wet Hot American Summer and—along with a full beard—for the 2010 production of
La Bete in London and New York. "
I do enjoy my beard,” he told the Associated Press about the role. “It’s weird because I’ve had friends come backstage afterward and say, ‘Oh, it’s real!’ So why did I bother growing this thing?” And let’s not forget the
Got Milk? mustache he and the rest of the
Frasier cast proudly displayed back in 1998.