Larry David is an American comedian, actor, writer and television producer best known for co-creating Seinfeld and creating Curb Your Enthusiasm. His distinctive style of observational and socially awkward comedy has made him one of the most influential television comedy writers of his generation.
Born on July 2, 1947, David spent years working in stand-up comedy and television before achieving major success with Jerry Seinfeld. He later became the creator and star of HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, which concluded its 12-season run in 2024.
Quick Facts About Larry David
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lawrence Gene David |
| Popular Name | Larry David |
| Date of Birth | July 2, 1947 |
| Age | 79 years old |
| Birthplace | Brooklyn, New York City, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Comedian, actor, writer and producer |
| Years Active | 1977–present |
| Famous For | Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm |
| Wife | Ashley Underwood |
| Former Wife | Laurie David |
| Children | Cazzie David and Romy David |
| Education | University of Maryland, College Park |
| Military Service | United States Army Reserve |
| Estimated Net Worth | About $400 million |
Larry David Early Life and Family
Lawrence Gene David was born on July 2, 1947, in Brooklyn, New York City. He grew up in the Sheepshead Bay neighbourhood of Brooklyn in a Jewish family.
His parents were Rose David and Mortimer Julius David. His father worked in the clothing business, and Larry grew up alongside his older brother, Ken David.
David attended Sheepshead Bay High School before going to university. His upbringing in Brooklyn later influenced much of his comedy, particularly his fascination with everyday arguments, social rules and uncomfortable interactions.
Larry David Education
Larry David attended the University of Maryland, College Park. He graduated in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in history.
During his university years, David began recognising his ability to make people laugh through ordinary observations and his natural personality. That discovery eventually encouraged him to pursue comedy professionally.
After graduating, he served in the United States Army Reserve. His military service lasted during the early 1970s before he focused fully on entertainment.
Larry David Early Comedy Career
David’s route to television success was far from immediate. He spent years performing stand-up comedy while supporting himself through various jobs.
Before becoming famous, he reportedly worked as a limousine driver, store clerk and other temporary jobs. He developed a reputation for unconventional stand-up performances that did not always appeal to mainstream audiences.
Between 1980 and 1982, David worked as a writer and performer on the ABC comedy programme Fridays. The show also featured Michael Richards, who later became famous for playing Kramer on Seinfeld.
David later joined Saturday Night Live as a writer during the 1984–1985 season. His experience there was relatively brief, but it later inspired several storylines that appeared on Seinfeld.
Creating Seinfeld With Jerry Seinfeld
Larry David’s career changed dramatically after he teamed up with comedian Jerry Seinfeld. Together, they created the sitcom Seinfeld, which premiered in 1989.
The series followed comedian Jerry Seinfeld and his group of friends as they dealt with everyday situations in New York City. Rather than relying on traditional sentimental television plots, the programme often focused on trivial arguments, social conventions and selfish behaviour.
David served as head writer and executive producer during much of the show’s early and middle run. Many storylines were inspired by events from his own life.
The character George Costanza, played by Jason Alexander, was also heavily based on David’s personality and experiences.
Seinfeld eventually became one of the most successful sitcoms in television history. David won Emmy Awards for his work on the programme, including recognition for writing and producing.
Although he left the show’s regular production team before its final season, he returned to help write the controversial series finale in 1998.
Larry David and Curb Your Enthusiasm
After Seinfeld, David created another landmark comedy series, Curb Your Enthusiasm.
The programme began as an HBO special in 1999 before becoming a television series in 2000. David starred as a fictionalised and exaggerated version of himself.
Unlike most traditional sitcoms, Curb Your Enthusiasm relied heavily on improvisation. Actors generally worked from detailed story outlines rather than fully scripted dialogue.
The show’s humour focused on minor social rules, misunderstandings and conflicts that frequently escalated into major problems. David’s fictional character was known for questioning social customs that everyone else appeared willing to accept.
Curb Your Enthusiasm became one of HBO’s longest-running comedy series. Its 12th and final season concluded in April 2024, ending a television run that lasted nearly 25 years.
The series significantly strengthened David’s reputation as one of American television’s most distinctive comedy creators.
Larry David Acting and Other Projects
Although best known for television, David has appeared in several films and other entertainment projects.
His acting credits include Radio Days, Whatever Works and the HBO film Clear History. He has also made numerous appearances on comedy programmes.
David became particularly popular on Saturday Night Live for portraying Senator Bernie Sanders during the 2016 and 2020 presidential campaign periods.
The resemblance between David and Sanders became a recurring joke. The two men were later revealed through genealogical research to be distant relatives.
David also made his Broadway debut in 2015 with Fish in the Dark, a comedy play that he wrote and starred in.
Larry David Wife and Personal Life
Larry David is married to Ashley Underwood, a producer. The couple met through mutual friends and began a relationship after meeting at a birthday party.
David and Underwood married in 2020. They have generally maintained a relatively private marriage despite David’s celebrity status.
Before marrying Underwood, David was married to environmental activist and producer Laurie David.
Larry and Laurie married in 1993 and remained together for more than a decade. Their divorce was finalised in 2007.
Larry David Children
Larry David has two daughters, Cazzie David and Romy David, from his marriage to Laurie David.
Cazzie David was born in 1994. She has pursued a career as a writer, actress and author and has developed her own public profile.
Romy David was born in 1996. Although she has appeared publicly with members of her family, she generally maintains a lower profile than her father.
David has frequently incorporated jokes about parenthood and family relationships into his comedy.
Larry David Net Worth and Earnings
Larry David’s net worth is estimated at approximately $400 million in 2026. Forbes previously estimated his fortune at just under $400 million, while other updated celebrity wealth estimates place him around the $400 million level.
A large portion of David’s wealth comes from Seinfeld. His ownership interest in the show’s backend profits allowed him to earn substantial amounts through syndication, licensing and streaming agreements.
Seinfeld has continued generating revenue decades after its original television run ended. David and Jerry Seinfeld have both benefited heavily from the programme’s long-term commercial success.
David also earned significant income from Curb Your Enthusiasm, acting, writing, producing and other entertainment projects.
His exact fortune cannot be independently confirmed because his personal finances are private. Therefore, the $400 million figure should be regarded as an informed estimate rather than a precise statement of his wealth.
Larry David’s Influence on Comedy
The Larry David biography is remarkable because his biggest success arrived after many years of struggling in stand-up and television writing.
Through Seinfeld, he helped redefine the modern sitcom by turning ordinary frustrations into comedy. He later developed an even more distinctive style with Curb Your Enthusiasm.
At 79 years old, Larry David remains one of the most recognisable figures in American comedy. His work continues to influence comedians, television writers and improvisational comedy long after the original run of Seinfeld ended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who is Larry David?
Larry David is an American comedian, writer, actor and television producer. He is best known for co-creating Seinfeld with Jerry Seinfeld and creating and starring in Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Q2: How old is Larry David?
Larry David is 79 years old as of 2026. He was born on July 2, 1947, in Brooklyn, New York City.
Q3: What is Larry David’s net worth in 2026?
Larry David’s net worth is estimated at approximately $400 million. Much of his fortune comes from his ownership interest in Seinfeld, along with earnings from Curb Your Enthusiasm and other projects.
Q4: Who is Larry David’s wife?
Larry David is married to Ashley Underwood, a television producer. The couple married in 2020 after meeting through mutual friends.
Q5: How many children does Larry David have?
Larry David has two daughters, Cazzie David and Romy David. Both are from his previous marriage to Laurie David.
Q6: Did Larry David create Seinfeld?
Yes. Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld co-created Seinfeld, which premiered in 1989. David also served as a writer and executive producer and helped create many of the show’s most famous storylines.
Q7: Is Curb Your Enthusiasm still running?
No. Curb Your Enthusiasm ended after its 12th season in April 2024. The HBO comedy ran for nearly 25 years and remains one of Larry David’s most celebrated works.
