David Anthony Higgins

A comic performer of Falstaffian proportions who first gained exposure as part of the comedy trio The Higgins Boys & Gruber, David Anthony Higgins began performing stand-up in his native Des Moines, IA while still in high school. Ditching college after a year to follow his comic pursuits, Higgins co-founded the Iowa comedy troupe, Don't Quit Your Day Job. After making the move to L.A., he performed in various comedy clubs. In 1988 Higgins, his younger brother Steve, and comic Dave Gruber Allan formed their successful comedy trio. Their popularity in clubs led to a sketch comedy series on Comedy Central entitled "The Higgins Boys and Gruber" (1989-92). Higgins found an even larger audience as a member of the cast of "Ellen" (ABC, 1994-98), playing Joe, the acerbic coffee server in the heroine's bookstore and coffeehouse. He and Dave Foley wrote the comedy feature "The Wrong Guy" (1997) which also marked his film acting debut.