David Alan Basche (born August 25, 1968) is an American actor. He is best known for playing Todd Beamer in the film United 93. He has been a series regular on many TV comedies and dramas, and has also appeared in films directed by Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Paul Greengrass, Shawn Levy, Robert Zemeckis, and Michael Patrick King.

Life and career

Basche's first acting role was in a school production of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer when he was in the sixth grade at West Hartford's Norfeldt Elementary School. Basche, who describes his demeanor then as an "angry, smart-ass kid," tried out for and landed the lead role after a school counselor suggested he take up acting to channel some of his anger and emotion. Basche appeared in several plays presented by the Greater Hartford Jewish Community Center while he was a student at King Philip Middle School, and he had roles in 10 school plays during his four years at William H. Hall High School in West Hartford. Basche then went on to Emerson College, starting out as a communications major before switching to performing arts.

His first major exposure was starring in Oh Grow Up, a short-lived sitcom created by Alan Ball. He later played the role of Steven Keats for two seasons in the NBC sitcom Three Sisters. He appeared in the 2005 film War of the Worlds in the role of Tim, the stepfather of Dakota Fanning and Justin Chatwin's characters. In 2006, he played Todd Beamer in United 93. David landed the lead role in 2007's I'll Believe You, a family-friendly sci-fi comedy. In 2008 he portrayed Mike Harness in Lipstick Jungle on NBC for two seasons, while simultaneously playing the role of Kenny Kagan on The Starter Wife on USA Network. In 2010 he guest starred on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, White Collar, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and The Mentalist. Basche also appeared in the film Sex and the City 2 as a wedding guest, and had a small role in the 2017 mystery film The Vanishing of Sidney Hall.

Basche starred for four seasons in the TV Land original series The Exes, which premiered on November 30, 2011. The series ended on September 16, 2015.

Personal life

Basche is married to actress Alysia Reiner; they met during a summer stock production of William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. The couple has a daughter born December 5, 2008.

Professional credits

New York Theater

TitleRoleLocationRef.
SnakebitJonathanDrama Desk, Outer Critics Circle Nominated Play
Love in the Age of NarcissismJoinThe Directors Company
Visiting Mr. GreenRoss GardinerUnion Square Theater (with Eli Wallach)
WASPs In BedAllanBeckett Theatre
Don't Let Destiny Push You AroundJackJohn Montgomery Theater
MacbethMacDuffThe Promenade Theatre
Measure for MeasureAngeloNew Generations NY

Regional theater

TitleRoleLocationRef.
Dating GamesDaniel/SpenceThe Lillian Theatre, Los Angeles
September ForeverHenryWilliamstown Theatre Festival
The Golden AgeTomTheatreworks Hartford (with Elizabeth Franz)
Romeo and JulietGregoryHartford Stage Company
A DybbukReb Mal/YeshivaHartford Stage Company
Death of a SalesmanBiff LomanNew Jersey Shakespeare Festival

Film

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2002Full FrontalNicholas' Agent
2005CrazylovePaul
War of the WorldsTim
2006United 93Todd Beamer
The Wedding WeekendSteven
I'll Believe YouDale Sweeney
2007SchooledCool High School Drama Teacher
2008Quality TimeRayShort film
The Other Way RoundDeposition LawyerShort film
The Peppermint TreeBrian
2009SalamanderKatie's DadShort film
Speed GrievingDavidShort film
2010Sex and the City 2David
2011The Adjustment BureauThompson's Aide
Real SteelESPN Commentator
2012BackwardsCox
2016EquityIan
2017The Vanishing of Sidney HallSenator Dale
2018EggDon
Almost HomeBMW John (Kevin)
2021Know FearDonald
2022GlimpsePhil
2024A Complete UnknownJohn Henry Hammond

Television

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
1997As the World TurnsOfficer Tate1 episode
1998, 2006, 2009Law & OrderJack McKinney (1998) Attorney Tepper (2006) Kevin Franklin (2009)3 episodes
1999Oh Grow UpNorris MichelskyMain role; 13 episodes
2001The DivisionMr. GlenmarkEpisode: "Obsessions"
EdBud FrankelEpisode: "Prom Night"
2001–2002Three SistersSteven KeatsMain role; 19 episodes
2002CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationGordon Daimler Adam van der WelkEpisode: "Cross Jurisdictions"
2003FrasierWoody Wiswell2 episodes
Miss MatchBrian2 episodes
2004Carry Me HomeBernardTV movie
Mister EdWilbur PopeTV movie
2005Rescue MeSteve Bowden2 episodes
Play DatesJakeTV movie
2006, 2011Law & Order: Criminal IntentDavid Kellen (2006) Jay Kendall (2011)2 episodes
200730 RockAlanEpisode: "Hard Ball"
2008Lipstick JungleMike Harness6 episodes
The Starter WifeKenny KaganMain role; 10 episodes
2009Royal PainsRob MillerEpisode: "No Man is An Island"
2010Law & Order: Special Victims UnitMichael GallagherEpisode: "Savior"
White CollarGary JenningsEpisode: "Need to Know"
The MentalistDr. Jack WilderEpisode: "Jolly Red Elf"
2011–2015The ExesStuart GardinerMain role; 64 episodes
2013Person of InterestWayne KrugerEpisode: "Nothing to Hide"
2015Chicago P.D.Jim SheltieEpisode: "Never Forget I Love You"
2016ElementaryWarren CliftEpisode: "A Burden of Blood"
BlindspotPatrick LymanEpisode: "Mans Telepathic Loyal Lookouts"
Blue BloodsJoe PelligrinoEpisode: "The Price of Justice"
Better ThingsGregEpisode: "Alarms"
2017NCIS: New OrleansDevon MitchellEpisode: "End of the Line"
The Blacklist: RedemptionJack ThorntonEpisode: "Operation Davenport"
2019BullDavid NewtonEpisode: "Pillar of Salt"
InstinctSteve GerichEpisode: "Big Splash"
Bluff City LawDr. Lee PyleEpisode: "American Epidemic"
2023LionessDr. BrumleyEpisode: "Bruise Like a Fist"
2024The DiplomatBrad ChapmanEpisode: "The Ides of March"

External links