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David Arquette

David Arquette has built a career around an unusually useful quality: he can bring comedy into tense situations without draining them of danger. That balance found its defining outlet in the Scream franchise, where he plays Dewey Riley. Earnest, awkward and more resilient than he first appears, Dewey became the role most closely associated with Arquette and the center of his biggest screen success. Born on September 8, 1971, in a Subud commune in Bentonville, Virginia, Arquette comes from a family of performers. His father, Lewis Arquette, was an actor and puppeteer, while his mother, Brenda “Mardi” Olivia, worked as an actress and acting teacher among several other pursuits. His siblings Rosanna, Richmond, Patricia and Alexis also became actors. Arquette’s 1990s film work moved easily between horror and comedy. He appeared in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Airheads and Never Been Kissed, while also taking guest roles on Blossom, Beverly Hills, 90210 and Friends. He later starred in See Spot Run and appeared in Hamlet 2, showing the loose, slightly unpredictable comic presence that has often distinguished his work. His television career has included the comedy series In Case of Emergency and the reboot of Sigmund and the Sea Monsters, in which he played Captain Barnabus. His interests have never stayed entirely in front of the camera. Arquette made his feature directing debut with the 2007 horror film The Tripper and has also worked as a screenwriter, producer, composer and musician. He provided voice work for the video games SSX Tricky and ESPN NFL 2K5 as well. Then there is professional wrestling, a genuine second chapter rather than a passing screen tie-in. After entering World Championship Wrestling storylines around Ready to Rumble, Arquette won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship in 2000. He returned to wrestling in 2018 after training with Peter Avalon and continued competing until announcing his retirement in 2021. It is a fittingly unconventional extension of a career shaped by horror, physical comedy and a willingness to take the hit himself.