Childhood & Early Life
David was born on June 18, 1980, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and grew up in Huntleigh, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. His mother, Mary, is of Polish and German descent, while his father, David Giuntoli, is of Italian descent.
In 1988, David graduated from 'St. Louis University High School.' He then majored in international business and finance from 'Indiana University' in Bloomington. His interest in acting developed in his high-school days. After college, David realized finance was not his cup of tea. He returned to St. Louis and announced his decision to become an actor to his parents. His parents, however, knew about David’s inclination toward acting from the very beginning. He had displayed his acting abilities since a tender age.
Before David stepped into the entertainment arena, he approached his high school theater teacher to learn the basics of acting.
Continue Reading Below
Career
David forayed into the entertainment industry in 2003, with a reality series. He participated in the 12th season of 'MTV’s 'Road Rules: South Pacific.' Following this, he appeared in another 'MTV' reality show, 'Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Gauntlet' (original 'The Challenge') in its seventh season and ended up as its winner.
Unfortunately, David’s career as a mainstream actor did not take off immediately after the reality-show victory. In 2007, he moved to Los Angeles and joined the 'Echo Theater Company.' Shortly after he relocated, David earned his first TV role, in an episode of the 'CBS' supernatural 'Ghost Whisperer.'
Following a few more single-episode roles, in series such as 'Veronica Mars,' 'Nip/Tuck,' and 'Grey's Anatomy,' David earned his first TV movie. He appeared as ‘Turner’ in the crime TV film 'Finish Line.' In 2008, David bagged the role of ‘Jacob Cassidy’ in the comedy–drama 'Privileged,' aired on ‘The CW.’ It was his first recurring role. Following his run on the show, he made appearances in a few more series, such as 'Eli Stone,' 'The Unit,' 'Without a Trace,' 'Cold Case,' and 'Crash.'
The 2009 comedy 'Weather Girl' marked David’s big-screen debut. He had a minor role (as ‘James’) in the movie. The same year, he was also seen in the short 'ComedyPOPS.'
In 2010, David appeared in a few more brief single-episode roles, in 'The Deep End,' 'Hot in Cleveland,' and 'Private Practice.' He appeared as ‘Martin Quinn’ in an unsold pilot of 'The Quinn-tuplets.' The same year, he appeared in the 'MTV' original film 'Turn the Beat Around,' in which he played a local dance club owner named ‘Michael Krasny,’ and the 13-minute short film 'Camera Obscura.' Before starting his stint with 'Grimm,' David had a small role (as ‘Jared’) in the comedy short film '6 Month Rule' and had also appeared as ‘Jordan’ in an episode of the 'NBC' series 'Love Bites.'
From 2011 to 2017, David entertained the audience with his interesting character in the 'NBC' fantasy police-procedural drama 'Grimm.' The series was about David’s character, Portland homicide detective Nick Burkhardt, who was told by his ‘Aunt Marie’ (played Kate Burton) that he was a ‘Grimm,’ a descendent of a line of hunters who fought supernatural forces. Nick’s love interest, ‘Juliette Silverton,’ was played by Bitsie Tulloch, who is now David’s wife. In addition to featuring in the series, he directed one of its episodes, titled 'Oh Captain, My Captain.' David was the first actor to be cast in the series.
In between his appearances in 'Grimm,' David appeared as ‘Ryan’ in the 2013 arthouse drama film 'Caroline and Jackie.' He was also featured in an episode of the 'Comedy Central' sketch comedy 'Key & Peele.' He played a ‘Diplomatic Security Service’ (DSS) agent named ‘Scott Wickland’ in the 2016 biographical war film '13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi,' which was based on the 2014 book of the same name authored by Mitchell Zuckoff.
David was the executive producer and co-writer of the 2016 independent comedy film 'Buddymoon' (previously known as 'Honey Buddies'). The film premiered at the 'Slamdance Film Festival' and was primarily shot in Portland. The protagonist, ‘David,’ played by David, represented the weaker side of his personality in real life. The character was portrayed as a former child artist with big plans in life who grew up to be an underdog. His fiancée, ‘Frankie’ (Jeanne Syquia), was shown breaking off their engagement, leaving him heartbroken. ‘David’ later found solace in his best friend, ‘Flula,’ played by Flula Borg.
Currently, David plays ‘Eddie Saville,’ a music teacher and a stay-at-home father struggling with his tumultuous married life, in the 'ABC' family drama 'A Million Little Things.' He joined the cast in 2018. The creator of the series, DJ Nash, was initially apprehensive about casting David in the role. He later saw his performance in 'Buddymoon' and changed his mind.
Family & Personal Life
David is married to his 'Grimm' co-star Bitsie Tulloch and has a daughter named Vivian. The two began their relationship on the sets of the show and got engaged before the show ended. Interestingly, their characters on the show shared an on-and-off relationship. The two got married in June 2017, in Montana. Their daughter was born in February 2019.
David had earlier dated his fellow 'Road Rules' contestant Cara Zavaleta.
David bought the bicycle he often rode to the sets of 'Grimm,' as a souvenir, after the show was wrapped up. In 2012, while he was on a break, David adopted an elephant from an elephant orphanage in Kenya.
David raised funds for 'St. Louis Arc,' a non-profit 'United Way' agency that offers resources and services to adults and children with disabilities and their families, from the St. Louis metropolitan area.
David once auditioned for the role of ‘Clark Kent/Superman’ in 'Man of Steel' but failed to bag the role. British actor Henry Cavill earned the role instead.
David is allergic to cats. Not many people know that he is completely deaf in his left ear. His all-time favorite TV show is 'Downton Abbey.'
