Wyckoff, NJ – For over three decades, David Krumholtz has been a familiar face in American entertainment, appearing in hit movies, acclaimed television series, a Grateful Dead cover band and Broadway productions. Yet since 2017, the actor has traded the bustle of Hollywood for the quiet charm of Wyckoff, New Jersey, creating a life centered on family, creativity, and community.
“I love New Jersey deeply. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else,” Krumholtz says, reflecting on his decision to move to Bergen County with his wife, actress Vanessa Britting, and their two children. The actor’s journey from Queens, New York, to Hollywood stardom, and finally to New Jersey, reads like a story of persistence, talent, and finding balance between career and home life.
From Queens to Broadway: Early Life and Career Beginnings
Krumholtz was born and raised in Queens, New York, in a working-class Jewish household. His grandparents emigrated from Poland, while his mother moved to the United States from Hungary in 1956. Life was modest, and money was tight, but Krumholtz credits his family’s humor and creativity for shaping his early ambitions.
At just 13 years old, he landed his first Broadway role in Conversations with My Father after being encouraged by a teacher who recognized his comedic talent. “I knew I was funny and could do accents,” Krumholtz recalls. “But I showed up without expectation. There were a thousand kids in a gym at a Universalist Church in Manhattan. I remember a good portion of them were Asian, Black, and Hispanic—to play Judd Hirsch’s son. Mostly, it was people just trying to get in front of a casting director.”
This early success proved transformative. “Suddenly this kid who hated himself was everyone’s favorite kid. I remember walking around and telling everyone, ‘I’m going to win a Tony for this,’” he says, laughing. Though he didn’t win, the experience ignited his passion for acting and set him on a trajectory toward Hollywood.
A Versatile Screen and Stage Career
Krumholtz’s career spans film, television, and theater. On the big screen, he is widely recognized for:
- Bernard the Elf in The Santa Clause franchise
- Goldstein in Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle
- Isidor Isaac Rabi in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, filmed partly in Princeton, New Jersey
On television, he starred as Charlie Eppes in CBS’s long-running drama Numb3rs and appeared in HBO’s The Deuce, along with recent roles in Poker Face and The Studio. He also returned to Broadway in 2022 with Tom Stoppard’s Leopoldstadt, earning a Drama League Award nomination.
Krumholtz has developed a reputation as a versatile character actor. “I think great character actors are sort of cleanup hitters. You have your leadoff man, who gets the game started. Then there’s the guy who is put in the position to knock it out of the park,” he explains. “The great ones do that. Willem Dafoe, say. The beguiling characters. As a character actor, you have to have something behind the eyes.”
Why Wyckoff, New Jersey?
Though Krumholtz grew up in New York City, his move to New Jersey was influenced by family considerations and a desire for a more grounded lifestyle. “We moved here largely because my dad was dying of a very cruel and rare neurological disorder,” he says. “He had to go to a care facility in New Jersey, and I was his sole caretaker.”
Beyond family obligations, Krumholtz fell in love with the local community. He enjoys the tranquil suburban life, excellent schools for his children, and the chance to build meaningful friendships with creative locals. “One huge factor is the friends I’ve met, in particular three very smart people who were born and raised here,” he says. Two of them are beer brewers at Two Villains Brewery, now operating out of Alias Brew Works in Vernon, the other a local legend musician named Ray Longchamp. “I wasn’t sure I could find people like that here, so it was extra special.”
The move also allowed Krumholtz to pursue his personal passions, including playing in his Grateful Dead cover band, Her Angels in Flame, and exploring New Jersey’s cultural and recreational offerings. You can hear their music on the weekly Music Plays the Band Radio Show on Dead Set Live.
Balancing Career and Family Life in New Jersey
Krumholtz sees living in Wyckoff as a way to maintain a balance between Hollywood and home. “I have a home where my kids are going to school. My wife is working. I have a place to practice music, and friends to hang with. It’s a full life, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” he says.
While the serene New Jersey environment provides stability, Krumholtz remains deeply active in his career. He filmed Oppenheimer before returning to Broadway for Leopoldstadt, describing the experience as “being saved twice” in his career. Now, he is set to appear in the upcoming Bruce Springsteen biopic, Deliver Me From Nowhere, portraying CBS Records executive Al Teller. “I loved the approach of this film. It’s about fame, coping with pressures, and the creative process,” he shares.
A New Jersey Perspective on Hollywood and Music
Krumholtz often reflects on his Hollywood experiences through the lens of his New Jersey life. He jokes about his early impressions of the state: “The day I met my wife, I scored brownie points with her based on how much I made fun of New Jersey. And she’s a native,” he laughs. Over time, he came to appreciate the state’s culture, humor, and history, including its role in film and music.
A lifelong fan of Springsteen, Krumholtz recalls a personal connection: “When I was 16, I pretended to write a poem for a girl I liked. It was actually ‘The River.’ She thought it was amazing. That’s my first brush with Springsteen in real life.” Now, portraying figures in Springsteen’s story brings that early inspiration full circle.
Krumholtz on Community and New Jersey Icons
When asked about other New Jersey icons, Krumholtz had glowing praise:
- Redman (Newark): “The King of New Jersey. Underrated. A monstrous lyricist.”
- Abbott and Costello (Asbury Park & Paterson): “Lou Costello was born funny, which is the highest compliment I can give to any comedian.”
- Dave Thomas (Atlantic City): “Better than White Castle. You’re goddamn right.”
- Jack Nicholson (Neptune City): “Top-three actor of all time. It’s him, DeNiro, and…Cate Blanchett?”
These references highlight Krumholtz’s appreciation for New Jersey’s cultural contributions, further cementing his connection to the state.
A Hollywood Life Rooted in New Jersey
For David Krumholtz, Wyckoff is more than a residence—it’s a hub of family, friends, and creativity that allows him to thrive personally and professionally. Whether returning to Broadway, starring in films like Oppenheimer, or preparing for Deliver Me From Nowhere, he continues to maintain deep ties to the Garden State.
Krumholtz’s story illustrates the unique balance between Hollywood ambition and suburban life: a thriving career, meaningful relationships, and the sense of home that only New Jersey can provide.
For more on actors, films, and TV projects connected to New Jersey, explore our film and television section
