David Duchovny Biography: Age, Net Worth, X-Files, Wife, Kids, Movies, Books, Songs

David William Duchovny also known as David Duchovny is a celebrated American actor, writer, director, producer, and musician known for his iconic portrayal of FBI agent Fox Mulder in The X-Files and Hank Moody in Californication.

Through his intellectual depth, dry wit, and versatile performances across television, film, and literature, he has inspired generations of actors and fans worldwide, particularly those drawn to complex, introspective characters and thoughtful storytelling.

Quick Facts

• Full Name: David William Duchovny
• Stage Name: David Duchovny
• Born: August 7, 1960
• Age: 65 years old
• Birthplace: New York City, New York, U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Ethnicity: Jewish
• Occupation: Actor, Writer, Director, Producer, Musician
• Height: 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
• Religion: Judaism
• Parents: Amram “Ami” Ducovny and Margaret “Meg” (née Miller) Duchovny
• Siblings: Daniel Duchovny and Laurie Duchovny
• Spouse: Monique Pendleberry
• Children: Madelaine West Duchovny and Kyd Miller Duchovny
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $80 million USD

Early Life And Education

David William Duchovny was born on August 7, 1960 in New York City, New York, and raised by his parents Amram “Ami” Ducovny, a writer and publicist for the American Jewish Committee, and Margaret “Meg” (née Miller) Duchovny, a Scottish-born school administrator and teacher, in a culturally mixed household.

He grew up as the middle child with an older brother Daniel Duchovny and a younger sister Laurie Duchovny. His father came from a Jewish immigrant family (Ukraine and Poland), while his mother was Lutheran from Scotland.

David attended The Collegiate School for Boys in Manhattan, then excelled academically at Princeton University, earning a B.A. in English Literature summa cum laude and playing basketball.

He later obtained an M.A. in English Literature from Yale University and began a Ph.D. program before pursuing acting. His religion is Judaism. Early exposure to literature and family storytelling shaped his intellectual approach to performance from a young age in New York City.

Career

David Duchovny began his acting career in the late 1980s with small roles in films like Working Girl and Kalifornia, alongside memorable television appearances in Twin Peaks as the transvestite detective Dennis/Denise Bryson. He achieved global stardom as Fox Mulder in The X-Files (1993–2002, with revivals in 2016 and 2018), earning a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Drama Series and multiple award nominations for his portrayal of the skeptical yet passionate FBI agent. He later won a second Golden Globe for his role as Hank Moody in the Showtime series Californication (2007–2014).

Duchovny has directed episodes of The X-Files and Californication, starred in films such as Evolution, Things We Lost in the Fire, The Joneses, and more recent projects including Pet Sematary: Bloodlines, You People, and What Happens Later. He is also a published novelist with books like Holy Cow, Bucky F*cking Dent, Miss Subways, Truly Like Lightning, and The Reservoir, and has released music as a singer-songwriter.

Independent yet collaborative with major networks and studios, he continues to balance acting, writing, and producing. As of April 2026, he stars in the Prime Video psychological thriller series Malice as Jamie Tanner and has upcoming projects including the satirical comedy film Soapbox (co-starring Laverne Cox and his daughter West Duchovny) and other film and television roles, cementing his legacy as a multifaceted Hollywood talent.

Social Media

David Duchovny does not have a social media account.

Personal Life

David Duchovny, 65 years old, was previously married to actress Téa Leoni from 1997 until their divorce in 2014; they share two children, daughter Madelaine West Duchovny (born 1999) and son Kyd Miller Duchovny (born 2002), and have maintained an amicable co-parenting relationship.

He began dating florist Monique Pendleberry in 2017, and the couple married in February 2025 in a private ceremony. No other long-term past relationships are prominently documented before his first marriage. He is currently married and not engaged to anyone else. His height is 6 ft 0 in (183 cm).

Net Worth

David Duchovny’s net worth is estimated at $80 million USD. His income primarily comes from long-running television salaries and backend profits from The X-Files and Californication, supplemented by film roles, book sales, music releases, directing and producing credits, endorsements, and real estate investments.