Deputy Dewey

Background:

American versatile actor David Arquette gained worldwide fame with his portrayal of loveable simple cop Deputy Dwight 'Dewey' Riley in the thriller hit Scream (1996). He reprised the popular character in Scream 2 (1997) and Scream 3 (2000).

David also gained recognition for playing the role of Drew Barrymore's brother, Robert Gellar, in the comedy Never Been Kissed (1999). Due to his spectacular performance, Arquette was honored with a Blockbuster Award in 2000. Arquette continues to receive phrase for his portrayal of characters in such films as See Spot Run (2001), The Grey Zone (2001), Eight Legged Freaks (2002), Happy Here and Now (2002), Stealing Sinatra (2003) and The Adventures of Shark Boy & Lava Girl in 3-D (2005).

Off screen, Arquette, who was born on the same day as model Brooke Burke, reportedly has been involved in charitable activities like Camp Laurel, a children organization that provides a positive physical and mental escape from living with HIV/AIDS. Respecting his mother's death of breast cancer, Arquette also gives big support to various Breast Cancer benefits. Listed as one of People magazine's 10 worst dressed in 1999, the best friends of actress Jennifer Anniston, Arquette and wife Courteney Cox, threatened legal action against anyone who publishes photographs of their baby after a snap shot was leaked to media organizations. Being asked about the incident, they said, "Although we are public figures, we do have a right to privacy. The photos from our daughter's christening are being distributed without our consent. Anyone publishing these photos will be in copyright infringement and liable to legal action. We appreciate your sensitivity to this matter."

As for his private life, 5' 11" inch tall Arquette was linked to actress Ellen Barkin (dated in 1995) before marrying actress Courteney Cox in 1999. The couple became parents to daughter Coco (born June 13, 2004).

Coco's Dad

Childhood and Family:

Of Russian-French ancestry, David Arquette was born on September 8, 1971, in Winchester, Virginia. His father is Lewis Arquette (aka Michael Arquette), an original member of the improvisational group The Committee and a member of Paul Sills' Story Theater, and his mother is Mardi Arquette (aka Olivia Arquette, died in 1996 of breast cancer), a poet, political activist and acting teacher. The youngest of five children, David has four older siblings: sisters Rosanna Arquette (actress; born August 10, 1959) and Patricia Arquette (actress; born on April 8, 1968), and brothers Richmond Arquette (writer; born in 1963) and Alexis Arquette (aka Eva Destruction, actor, artist; born in 1970).

Young David spent his early years in a commune in Virginia before the family took him to Los Angeles so his sister Rosanna could pursue an acting career. While he was studying at Fairfax High School in Los Angeles, California, David joined an audition for a school play and soon discovered his interest in acting.

Off screen, David met costar Courteney Cox while filming Scream (1996) and the two started dating in summer 1996. Seeking solace through drugs after the death of his mother, Courteney helped him get through that difficult time. Following a two-year engagement, the couple eventually married in 1999 at San Francisco's Grace Cathedral. Currently David lives in Los Angeles with his wife and daughter Coco (born June 13, 2004).

Scream

Career:

Formerly joining a school play for money, David Arquette decided to try his hand in acting. With the family's endorsement, Arquette's professional career in acting started in 1990 when he played roles in two short-lived TV series: The Outsiders (as Keith 'Two-Bit' Mathews) and the NBC sitcom Parenthood (as Tod Hawks). He next appeared as a guest star in Blossom and Beverly Hills 90210 before making his TV movie debut in Cruel Doubt (1992). The same year, Arquette landed his first major role as Luke Perry's best friend Benny Jacks in the hit film Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992, starred Kristy Swanson and Donald Sutherland).

Arquette followed Buffy the Vampire Slayer with supporting roles in Where the Day Takes You (1992), Frank and Jesse (1994), and Airheads (1994), before playing a regular role on CBS' Double Rush (1995, as Hunter). On the wide screen, he was seen in Fall Time (1995), Wild Bill (1995, opposite ex-girl friend Ellen Barkin), Beautiful Girls (1996), Kiss & Tell (1996) and Skin and Bone (1996).

After receiving small roles in a number of films, Arquette won a leading role in the independent film Johns (1996, along side Lucas Haas). He received rave review from the Sundance Film Festival for his bright portrayal as a street hustler named John.

In 1996, Arquette's breakthrough moment came when he starred as loveable simple cop Deputy Dwight 'Dewey' Riley in Wes Craven's Scream (1996). Following the huge success of the film, Arquette gained worldwide recognition through the character. His role, which was originally supposed to be killed off after the first installment, was changed and he returned in the sequels of Scream.

The same year, Arquette branched out into singing and became the lead singer of the rock band Ear 2000. Their track, 'The Race,' was included on the Scream 2 soundtrack, and 'Click, Click' on Scream 3. However, the band split up in early 2000. Not only talented in singing, Arquette also plays a mean trumpet.

In 1997, Arquette could be found both acting and co-producing the film Dream with the Fishes (1997) and starring in the adaptation of Keith Reddin's play, Life During Wartime (1997, starred opposite Stanley Tucci and Kate Capshaw). He also reprised his popular role of Dwight 'Dewey' Riley in Scream's successful sequel titled Scream 2 (1997).

After receiving roles in Free Money (1998) and RPM (1998), the Scream star went on to star opposite Guy Pearce in Ravenous (1999, as Pvt. Cleaves) and portrayed Dr. Tucker in Muppets From Space (1999).

At the end of decade, Arquette received another big break when he starred with best friend Drew Barrymore in the comedy Never Been Kissed (1999). His spectacular performance as Barrymore 's brother, Robert Gellar, handed him a Blockbuster Award for Favorite Supporting Actor in a Comedy/Romance in 2000.

Entering the new millennium, Arquette again reprised the role of Dwight 'Dewey' Riley in Scream 3 (2000). Commenting about his role after the release of Scream 3, he said, "He's the guy everyone falls back on. The only difference is now he's a little more cynical and less naive."

After his performance in the TV series WCW Monday Nitro, Arquette, who is a fanatical amateur wrestler, starred as Gordie Boggs in the comedy film Ready to Rumble (2000/I). In order to promote the film, he emerged on WCW Thunder (2000) and became the WCW Heavyweight Champion in a special tag match, pitting himself and partner Diamond Dallas Page against Jeff Jarrett and Eric Bischoff. His last project in 2000 was lending his voice for Mr. Jimmy in Pelswick (TV).

In 2001, Arquette's comical capability could be seen in See Spot Run (2001, as mailman Gordon), a family comedy about a mailman who has to look after a FBI drug-sniffing super dog. Additionally, Arquette portrayed Gus in 3000 Miles to Graceland (2001, opposite Kevin Costner, Kurt Russell and Christian Slater), Henry Popopolis in The Shrink Is In (2001) and provided the voice for Eddie Wachowski in SSX Tricky (2001).

Thar same year, the versatile actor Arquette showed off his dramatic talent in Tim Blake Nelson's The Grey Zone (2001), by playing the role of Hoffman, opposite Harvey Keitel, Steve Buscemi and Mira Sorvino. His outstanding performance in the film brought him critical acclaim.

The subsequent year, Arquette kept busy with such wide screen films as Eight Legged Freaks (2002, played Chris McCormick), Happy Here and Now (2002, as Eddie), A Foreign Affair (2003, as Josh) and Showtime's Stealing Sinatra (2003, portrayed Barry Keenan, one of Frank Sinatra Jr.'s kidnappers). On the small screen, he made a cameo in It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie (2002).

Arquette's next performance was seen in Never Die Alone (2004, played Paul) and Riding the Bullet (2004, portrayed George Staub). Recently, he starred as Ash in Jay Alaimo's drama Slingshot (2005) and as Max's Dad in Robert Rodriguez's The Adventures of Shark Boy & Lava Girl in 3-D (2005).

Arquette is scheduled to star in Darwin Awards (2005, also starring Joseph Fiennes and Winona Ryder ) and Jay Alaimo's drama Chlorine (2006, also starring Ray Liotta).

Awards:

• Blockbuster Entertainment: Favorite Supporting Actor - Comedy/Romance, Never Been Kissed, 2000