David Berman
About
Biography
Biography
For actor and researcher David Berman, a day at the office is more like a day at the morgue. Since 2000 he's portrayed quirky Assistant Coroner Dave "Super Dave" Phillips on the hit primetime series "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (CBS, 2000-15), and served as head researcher for the detail-oriented series. In addition to his intensive work on the long-running procedural, the Georgetown University grad has worked with his brother, TV writer and producer Josh Berman, on two primetime series: Fox's "Vanished" (2006), where he portrayed CIA Agent Edward Dockery; and Lifetime's "Drop Dead Diva" (2009-14), in which he played a shy bailiff with a sweet spot for the title character. In 2009 Berman was upgraded on "CSI" from supporting actor to series regular, landing a coveted spot in the opening credits. Death isn't an easy way to make a living, but Berman's easy-going nature and dry wit help him find the humor among the horror.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Berman left behind the sunny West Coast for Washington, D.C., where he studied English and theology at Georgetown University. After graduating from the prestigious university with both Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa honors, Berman returned to Los Angeles to pursue his lifelong dream of acting. After the odd commercial or two, Berman was hired as a researcher on the NBC investigative drama "Profiler" (1996-2000) (the flexible hours are an actor's dream) and even landed a brief on-screen role before the show was cancelled. Lucky for him, his brother Josh had just been hired as a staff writer on "CSI," who put in a good word for a research position for his now-unemployed (and pretty nerdy) brother. Though Berman was reluctant to take the job due to the intense workload and low pay, his need to pay the bills took precedence over his pride, and he soon found himself acting as the liaison between an inquisitive writing staff and the law enforcement and medical professionals who could answer esoteric questions about forensics processes and procedures.
Not wanting to pass up an acting opportunity, Berman asked executive producer Carol Mendelsohn if he could audition for a role, if and when one came up, which is how after a month on the job he was offered a one-line role opposite series star William Peterson. Though the part never made it to air, Berman caught the eye of some CBS VIPs and in 2000 was cast as Dave Phillips, the somewhat awkward assistant coroner who harbors a crush on investigator Sara Sidle (Jorja Fox) and uses pitch-black humor to deal with his job's daily horrors. Sharing research responsibilities with co-star Jon Wellner made it easier for Berman to concentrate on his front-of-camera duties, and slowly but surely Berman's sardonic lab rat became a supporting character audiences couldn't help but want more of.
By 2006 Josh had left "CSI" to create "Vanished," where he cast Berman as an unassuming CIA agent; later that year the low-key actor also landed a cameo role as a telekinetic suburbanite on NBC's hit-or-miss "Heroes" (2006-2010). But no matter what show or network Berman appeared on, "CSI" was always home, so it was no surprise when in 2009, after an appearance on Josh's life-reincarnated sitcom "Drop Dead Diva," Berman was upgraded from "CSI" recurring actor to full-fledged series regular.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Art Department (Feature Film)
Film Production - Main (Special)
Misc. Crew (Special)
Life Events
2000
Made TV debut on NBC's "The Profiler"
2000
Hired as head researcher on CBS's "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation"
2000
Cast in a recurring role on "CSI"
2006
Landed a supporting role on Fox's "Vanished"
2009
Cast on Lifetime's "Drop Dead Diva"
