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David Wain

David Wain

Actor, director, writer, producer and editor · Born August 1, 1969 (57) · Shaker Heights, Ohio, USA

David Benjamin Wain (born August 1, 1969) is an American comedian, writer, actor and director. He is most widely known for the feature films Role Models and Wet Hot American Summer, the 1990s' sketch comedy series The State and for directing the Adult Swim series Childrens Hospital. Wain was a founding member of Stella, along with Michael Showalter and Michael Ian Black.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
August 1, 1969 (57)
From
Shaker Heights, Ohio, USA
Works as
Actor, director, writer, producer and editor
Titles
57 on MovieCove · 88 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 156 days to Oct 27Up 54% in 30 days

What are David Wain's films like?

Across their 23 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy10 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 33rd percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Documentary4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 78th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
39%
Self
19%
Society
18%
Morality
9%
Ideas
8%
Power
5%
Survival
3%
Friendship11 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love5 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose4 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity6 titles, browse their movies with this themeTradition vs change3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds2 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition4 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 17 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Wry: How sincerely it treats its story and characters, from ironic to earnest. Browse their wry movies.
Tone · Sincerity
ironicearnest

A split, not a type: Ironic 5 · Wry 2 · Earnest 10

Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 14 · Serious 3 · Dark 0

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 8 · Stylized 6 · Heightened 3

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 8 · Charged 8 · Intense 1

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 8 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 4

Funny: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their funny movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 1 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 12

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 8 · Relentless 4

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 16 · Engaged 1 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 15 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

1 analyzed role

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Absurd
14
Joyful
13
Warm
11
Manic
8
Hopeful
4
Other
13

How their films linger

Fun17 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy10
  • Bittersweet9
  • Ambiguous1
  • Cyclical3

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch David Wain's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 41 of their 57 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (12).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for David Wain's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

88 credits, 57 with a MovieCove page; 13 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Christmas at the Kringles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as Noel Tannebaum

  • Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass(2026)

    Director · Producer · Writer · as People Magazine Editor Teleman Greevis

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • The Napa Boys(2025)

    as Wilbur Winejudge

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Mr. Throwback(2024)

    Show 6 episodes · Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all shows

  • History of the World: Part II(2023)

    Show 1 episode · as Bishop

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all shows

  • Reno 911!: It's a Wonderful Heist(2022)

    Thanks

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • The Bob's Burgers Movie(2022)

    as Grover Fischoeder (voice)

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Reno 911! Defunded (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Kimi(2022)

    as Angela's Dentist

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Murderville(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Magic Melvin

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • The Sex Lives of College Girls(2021)

    Show 1 episode · as Craig Hennessey

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Medical Police(2020)

    Show 10 episodes · Director · Creator · Executive Producer · Writer · as Jim Davidson

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all shows

  • Oh Jerome, No(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Dan 2

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Miracle Workers(2019)

    Show 2 episodes · Director · as HOA Member

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Under the Eiffel Tower(2018)

    as Frank

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Dog Days(2018)

    as Wacky Wayne

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • A Futile and Stupid Gesture(2018)

    Director · Executive Producer · as Interviewer

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • My Dead Dad's Porno Tapes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Narrator

  • Fun Mom Dinner(2017)

    as Wayne

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later(2017)

    Show 8 episodes · Director · Creator · Executive Producer · Writer · as Yaron / Bill Clinton

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all shows

  • Brother Nature(2016)

    as Uncle Mel

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • The Second Sound Barrier (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Director

  • Teachers(2016)

    Show 3 episodes · as Pastor Ted

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all shows

  • Superstore(2015)

    Show 3 episodes · as Dan

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all shows

  • Hurricane of Fun: The Making of Wet Hot(2015)

    Executive Producer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp(2015)

    Show 8 episodes · Director · Creator · Executive Producer · Writer · as Yarin

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Another Period(2013)

    Show 32 episodes · as Albert Downsy, Jr.

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all shows

  • Weird Loners (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Show 2 episodes · as Howard

  • Younger(2015)

    Show 2 episodes · as Hugh Shirley

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Fresh Off the Boat(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as Reggie

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Take Care(2014)

    Thanks

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • A to Z (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • They Came Together(2014)

    Director · Executive Producer · Writer · as Keith

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Last Week Tonight with John Oliver(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Maternity

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Broad City(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Maureen’s ex

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Thanks for Sharing(2012)

    as Addict

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Hell Baby(2013)

    as Dr. Marsden

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Phone, Keys, Gum (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Director · as Himself

  • She Said, She Said (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Mediator

  • Newsreaders(2013)

    Show 14 episodes · Creator · as Jim Davidson

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • Brenda Forever (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Director

  • The Greatest Event in Television History(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Bell Taint

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Sleepwalk with Me(2012)

    as Pete

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Burning Love(2012)

    Show 2 episodes · as Reg Durjmah

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Wanderlust(2012)

    Director · Producer · Writer · as Himself

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Key and Peele(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Person at People Park #6

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • New Girl(2011)

    Show 1 episode · Director · as Male Race Participant

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Bob's Burgers(2011)

    Show 12 episodes · as Courtney (voice) · as Grover (voice)

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Stella: Live in Boston (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as David

  • I Love You, Man(2009)

    as Wedding Photographer

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Party Down(2009)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Birthday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Director · as David

  • Childrens Hospital(2008)

    Show 63 episodes · Director · Creator · Executive Producer · Writer · as David Wain · as Rabbi Jewy McJewJew · as Square Dance Caller

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Role Models(2008)

    Director · Screenplay · as Chevron Baine

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • The Guitar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Phone Man

  • Superjail!(2007)

    Show 36 episodes · as The Warden (voice)

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • The Ten(2007)

    Director · Producer · Writer · as Abe Grossman / Cartoon Voices

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • Wainy Days (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show Creator

  • Delirious(2006)

    as Byron

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Puberty: The Movie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Principal Kirkpatrick

  • Reno 911!: Miami(2007)

    as Breen the Plumber

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Shell Dante

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Diggers(2006)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Denis Leary's Merry F#%$in' Christmas(2005)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • The Baxter(2005)

    as Louis Lewis

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Stella (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 10 episodes · Director · Creator · Producer · Writer · Actor

  • American Dad!(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Mailroom Guy (voice)

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • I Love the '90s: Part Deux (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 10 episodes · Actor

  • Best Week Ever (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • The Third Date (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Ralphie

  • Reno 911! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Sam · as Sensual Masseuse

  • Stella Shorts 1998-2002 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Director · Writer · as David

  • Wet Hot American Summer(2001)

    Director · Producer · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Sheep in the Big City (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 3 episodes · Writer

  • Bamboozled(2000)

    as Bunning

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Random Play (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 6 episodes · Actor

  • Strangers with Candy(1999)

    Show 1 episode · Writer

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Finishing The Novel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Director · as Husband

  • The State's 43rd Annual All-Star Halloween Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Various

  • The State(1993)

    Show 24 episodes · Director · Editor · Producer · Writer · as Various Characters

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • The Waiters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Actor

  • Aisle Six (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Director · Story · Writer

  • The Waiting Room (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Drummer (The Basketball Team)

  • Two Rooms: A Tribute to Elton John & Bernie Taupin(1991)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Friday Night Videos (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 44 episodes · Actor

  • MTV: The State, Skits and Stickers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Director · Actor

  • Untitled Kestrin Pantera Indie Project (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Where the Fore Are We? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Director · Producer · Writer

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 86 titles, 82 of them dated from 1983 to 2026; peak year 2007.

Biggest box office

Role Models (2008)

$93M worldwide

Highest rated

The State (1993)

Midcredits 91st

Most popular right now

Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later (2017)

Film career

19832026

Peak 2007 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Top draw in 1 MovieCove title. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting69 of 86: 51 only acting, 18 with another role · typical Midcredits score63rdDirecting27 of 86: 7 only directing, 20 with another role · typical Midcredits score53rdWriting16 of 86: 2 only writing, 14 with another role · typical Midcredits score50thProducing14 of 86: 1 only producing, 13 with another role · typical Midcredits score52ndOther crew9 of 86: 3 only other crew, 6 with another role · typical Midcredits score43rd

86 titles, 22 with more than one role — acting and directing overlap on 16 of them.

By decade

1980s1 · acting1990s8 · 6 acting · 4 crew2000s26 · 21 acting · 11 crew2010s36 · 29 acting · 14 crew2020s11 · 9 acting · 4 crew

Billing

usually 14th · top billed in 0% of 17 roles
0510

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do David Wain's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 52nd percentile, the median of all 28; across their 17 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 54th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

54thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Approval · how many liked their films

52ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Reach · how many have seen their films

88thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Midcredits score across 57 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up21
  • 50th to 74th19
  • 25th to 49th8
  • Below 25th9

Shape of the crowd

28 of their 57 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved6
  • Divisive1
  • Crowd Pleaser28
  • Broadly Agreed4
  • Mixed18

Most divisive · actor

Teachers (2016)

92nd percentile spread · 34% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · director

Party Down (2009)

Midcredits 91st · 89% liked

Reviewers score the acting 67/100 in their films, across 14 reviewed titles; fans 76, detractors 43. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is David Wain's work okay for kids?

Across up to 10 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity, profanity and alcohol & drugs run heavier than most films and violence & gore and frightening / intense lighter.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore7 titles19–72 · median 24 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity10 titles30–67 · median 58 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity7 titles55–89 · median 68 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs6 titles42–80 · median 62 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense6 titles16–56 · median 24 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does David Wain work with?

People who share at least 2 of David Wain's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Ken Marino shares the most, 8.

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles