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David Byrne

Actor

David Byrne

  • Born: 14 May 1952, Dumbarton, Scotland, UK
  • Estimated net worth: $40 million

David Byrne is a Scottish-American musician and actor, best known for his role as the lead singer of the band Talking Heads. He gained recognition for his innovative approach to music and performance, blending various genres. Byrne has also acted in films and…

About David Byrne

David Byrne is a Scottish-American musician and actor, best known for his role as the lead singer of the band Talking Heads. He gained recognition for his innovative approach to music and performance, blending various genres. Byrne has also acted in films and documentaries, with a distinctive voice and artistic style that has earned him critical acclaim throughout his career.

Born
14 May 1952, Dumbarton, Scotland, UK
Known for
Sound
Height
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Spouses
Adrianne Lobel (1987-2004)
Children
1, Malachai Byrne
Parents
Tom Byrne, Emma Byrne
Estimated net worth
$40 million

Fun facts about David Byrne

  • David Byrne is a multi-talented artist, also known for his work in visual art and writing.
  • He once hosted a series of bicycle tours in New York City, promoting cycling as a sustainable mode of transport.

Famous David Byrne quotes

“This is not my beautiful house.”
Talking Heads: Stop Making Sense, 1984
“I can't seem to face up to the facts.”
True Stories, 1986
“You may ask yourself, how did I get here?”
Talking Heads: Stop Making Sense, 1984

David Byrne filmography

Cast (110)

YearTitleCharacterRating
2026Changing Lanes MovieSelf2.0
2026Each Day in a Moment: 2025 MovieSelf (archive footage) (uncredited)
2025Breakdown: 1975 MovieSelf (archive footage)6.9
2025The Twits MovieGordon Sniffles (voice)5.9
2025Monk in Pieces MovieSelf8.0
2025We Want the Funk! MovieSelf6.3
2025SNL50: The Homecoming Concert MovieSelf6.7
2025Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music MovieSelf7.7
2024Eno MovieSelf7.0
2023Homo Brasilis: Tom Zé, o Tropicalista Visionário MovieSelf (archive footage)
Show 100 more credits
YearTitleCharacterRating
2022Miley's New Year's Eve Party MovieSelf
2021Social! Distance Dance Club MovieUnknown character
2021Twyla Moves MovieSelf
2020BREAK IT ALL: The History of Rock in Latin America TVSelf7.6
2020David Byrne's American Utopia MovieSelf - Lead Singer & Performer7.5
2020FeeLee. History of a Single Label MovieSelf
2020Stars in the House TVSelf - Winner
2019John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch MovieDavid Byrne7.0
2019Café Tacvba - Un Segundo / MTV Unplugged MovieSelf - Voice9.2
2019Everything For All Reasons MovieSelf5.8
2019Triple-Chaser MovieNarrator
2019Hream MovieDavid Byrne
2019Museum Town MovieSelf
2018The Making of True Stories MovieSelf
2018Real Life MovieNarrator / Self
2018David Byrne: ACL Fest 2018 MovieSelf
2017Well How Did We Get Here? A Brief History of Talking Heads MovieSelf10.0
2016Contemporary Color MovieUnknown character6.7
2016Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall MovieSelf7.0
2016Temporary Color MovieUnknown character
2015The Late Show with Stephen Colbert TVSelf - Musical Guest6.1
2015The Late Show with Stephen Colbert TVSelf - Guest/Musical Guest6.1
2015We're Gonna Die MovieDavid Byrne6.0
2015StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson TVSelf6.7
2014Lennon or McCartney MovieSelf5.3
2014Late Night with Seth Meyers TVSelf - Guest5.1
2014The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon TVSelf5.8
2013Fathers and Songs: Music for Father's Day MovieSelf (archive footage)
2012Paul Simon: Under African Skies MovieSelf7.1
2012La Casa del Ritmo: A Film About Los Amigos Invisibles MovieUnknown character5.0
2011Talking Heads - Chronology MovieUnknown character5.0
2011The Jonathan Ross Show TVSelf - Guest5.2
2011This Must Be the Place MovieDavid Byrne7.0
2011Ride, Rise, Roar MovieSelf7.7
2009Tom Zé: Liberated Astronaut MovieUnknown character8.0
2009Beyond Ipanema MovieSelf
2009Wandering Heart MovieSelf5.1
2009Burning Down the House: The Story of CBGB MovieSelf8.0
2008Wild Combination: A Portrait of Arthur Russell MovieSelf (archive footage)6.2
2008The Man Who Bottled Clouds MovieSelf
2008New York Rock at the BBC MovieUnknown character6.5
2008Untitled Patton/Byrne Piece MovieUnknown character
2008Celia: The Queen MovieSelf
2007David Byrne - Live from Austin, Texas MovieSelf - Vocals, guitar
2007NY77: The Coolest Year in Hell MovieSelf (archive footage) (uncredited)7.5
2006Fabricating Tom Zé MovieSelf5.5
2006By the Ways, a Journey with William Eggleston MovieSelf8.0
2005TV Party MovieSelf8.0
2005Stranger: Bernie Worrell on Earth MovieSelf6.0
2004The Pogues Live at the Town and Country MovieSelf8.3
2004Dennis Cleveland MovieUnknown character
2003David Byrne: Live At Union Chapel MovieUnknown character
2003Lubbock Lights MovieSelf9.0
2003Real Time with Bill Maher TVSelf6.0
2003Jimmy Kimmel Live! TVSelf - Musical Guest5.3
2002Hollywood Rocks the Movies: The 1970s MovieSelf10.0
200125 Years of Punk MovieSelf7.0
2000The Art of Amália MovieIntroduction (English version)8.0
1998Tori Amos: Sessions at West 54th MovieSelf
1998PJ Harvey: Sessions at West 54th MovieUnknown character
1998Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach: Sessions at West 54th MovieSelf - Host/Interviewer
1998Lulu on the Bridge Movie"Laughing Man" Escort5.9
1998Lou Reed: Rock and Roll Heart MovieSelf7.7
1998David Byrne - Live From Teatro Gran Rex MovieSelf
1997Sessions at West 54th TVSelf - Host8.5
1995Dancing Barefoot MovieSelf6.2
1994Space Ghost Coast to Coast TVSelf7.8
1993Late Show with David Letterman TVSelf - Musical Guest6.5
199310000 Maniacs: MTV Unplugged MovieSelf8.5
1993Between the Teeth MovieUnknown character6.0
1992Later... with Jools Holland TVUnknown character5.9
1991Until the End of the World MovieSelf6.7
1990Red Hot + Blue: A Tribute to Cole Porter MovieSelf
1990Beleza Tropical MovieSelf
1989The Simpsons TVDavid Byrne (voice)8.0
1989Decade MovieSelf8.5
1989Heavy Petting MovieSelf5.7
1988Checking Out MovieBartender4.4
1988Talking Heads: Storytelling Giant MovieSelf7.8
1987Robert Wilson and the Civil Wars MovieUnknown character9.0
1986True Stories MovieNarrator / Lip-Syncher6.7
1986The Kitchen Presents: Two Moon July MovieUnknown character8.0
1986Report From L.A. MovieHimself
1986Dead End Kids MovieMinister8.0
1985The Max Headroom Show TVSelf7.5
1984Stop Making Sense MovieSelf - Vocals, Guitar8.3
1984Talking Heads: The Name of this Programme is Once In A Lifetime MovieSelf
1982Talking Heads: Live at Montreux Jazz Festival MovieUnknown character
1981Talking Heads: Rock Pop in Concert MovieUnknown character9.0
1980Talking Heads: Live in Rome MovieSelf - Vocals, guitar6.3
1980Talking Heads: Capitol Theatre MovieSelf - Lead Vocals, Guitar9.0
1978The South Bank Show TVUnknown character5.6
1976The Blank Generation MovieSelf6.0
1975Saturday Night Live TVSelf - Musical Guest6.9
1975Austin City Limits TVSelf6.3
196860 Minutes TVSelf6.5
1962The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson TVSelf7.6
1953The Oscars TVSelf7.1
TBADavid Byrne: Who Is The Sky? MovieSelf
TBATalking Heads: 77 MovieUnknown character

Crew (43)

YearTitleRoleRating
2026Musk MovieSongs · Sound
2025The Twits MovieSongs · Sound5.9
2023John Mulaney: Baby J MovieOriginal Music Composer · Sound7.2
2023John Mulaney: Baby J MovieMusician · Sound7.2
2022Everything Everywhere All at Once MovieSongs · Sound7.7
Show 38 more credits
YearTitleRoleRating
2020David Byrne's American Utopia MovieExecutive Producer · Production7.5
2020David Byrne's American Utopia MovieMusic · Sound7.5
2020David Byrne's American Utopia MovieProducer · Production7.5
2020David Byrne's American Utopia MovieWriter · Writing7.5
2016Contemporary Color MovieProducer · Production6.7
2016Lo and Behold: Reveries of the Connected World MovieMusician · Sound6.6
2011This Must Be the Place MovieOriginal Music Composer · Sound7.0
2008The Vanguard MovieOriginal Music Composer · Sound3.8
2007David Byrne - Live from Austin, Texas MovieSongs · Sound
2004She Hate Me MovieThanks · Crew5.1
2003Young Adam MovieOriginal Music Composer · Sound5.9
2002The Truth About Charlie MovieThanks · Crew4.9
2002In Spite of Wishing and Wanting MovieLyricist · Writing9.0
2002In Spite of Wishing and Wanting MovieMusic · Sound9.0
1994After 68 MovieSecond Assistant Director · Directing7.0
1993Between the Teeth MovieDirector · Directing6.0
1990Red Hot + Blue: A Tribute to Cole Porter MovieDirector · Directing
1989Îlé Aiyé MovieDirector · Directing9.0
1989Plymptoons: The Complete Early Works of Bill Plympton TVMusic · Sound
1989Umbabarauma MovieProducer · Production
1988Married to the Mob MovieOriginal Music Composer · Sound6.0
1988Talking Heads: Storytelling Giant MovieDirector · Directing7.8
1988Talking Heads: Storytelling Giant MovieWriter · Writing7.8
1987The Last Emperor MovieOriginal Music Composer · Sound7.6
1986Something Wild MovieMain Title Theme Composer · Sound6.6
1986True Stories MovieOriginal Music Composer · Sound6.7
1986True Stories MovieSongs · Sound6.7
1986True Stories MovieWriter · Writing6.7
1986True Stories MovieDirector · Directing6.7
1985Alive from Off Center TVTheme Song Performance · Sound8.0
1984Stop Making Sense MovieSound Supervisor · Sound8.3
1984Stop Making Sense MovieOriginal Music Composer · Sound8.3
1984Talking Heads: The Name of this Programme is Once In A Lifetime MovieCreative Consultant · Crew
1982The Catherine Wheel MovieMusic · Sound8.0
1981Mea Culpa MovieMusic · Sound5.2
1981America Is Waiting MovieMusic · Sound6.3
TBADavid Byrne: Who Is The Sky? MovieProducer · Production
TBADavid Byrne: Who Is The Sky? MovieMusic · Sound

Latest releases

Questions about David Byrne

What are David Byrne's most successful films?

David Byrne's most successful films include 'Stop Making Sense' and 'True Stories', both showcasing his unique artistic vision and contributions to music and film.

Has David Byrne won any awards?

Yes, David Byrne has received multiple awards, including a Grammy Award and an Academy Award for Best Original Score for 'The Last Emperor'.

What was David Byrne's first film role?

David Byrne's first film role was in the concert film 'Stop Making Sense', released in 1984, which showcased the performance of Talking Heads.

What is David Byrne's net worth?

David Byrne's estimated net worth is around $40 million, reflecting his successful music career and various artistic ventures.

How did David Byrne start his career?

David Byrne started his career as the lead singer of Talking Heads in the 1970s, where he gained fame for his innovative music and theatrical performances.

What are some of David Byrne's notable musical contributions?

David Byrne is noted for his contributions to the New Wave genre, particularly with Talking Heads, and his solo projects, which include collaborations with various artists.

What is David Byrne known for in his acting career?

In his acting career, David Byrne is known for his unique performances in films like 'True Stories' and for his appearances in documentaries about music and art.

What type of music does David Byrne typically perform?

David Byrne typically performs a blend of rock, punk, and world music, often incorporating elements of art pop into his work.