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David Arquette.

David Arquette — Actor
Born Winchester, United States
Citizenship United States
Age 55 yr Today

15 min read

Reading time

2,816

Words

Published

TL;DR

David Arquette first gained major attention for his role as Dewey Riley in the 1996 horror hit Scream, a part he reprised in four sequels. He belongs to the Arquette acting family, with siblings Rosanna, Patricia, Richmond, and Alexis. Beyond acting, he has directed, produced, and held the WCW Heavyweight Championship in 2000. He was married to Courteney Cox from 1999 to 2013 and later to Christina McLarty.

Identity & family.

KIN · 9

Names, aliases, and relatives of David Arquette — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Aliases David
Parents
Brenda Denaut Lewis Arquette
Spouses
Christina McLarty Arquette Courteney Cox
Children
Coco Arquette
Siblings
Richmond Arquette Patricia Arquette Alexis Arquette Rosanna Arquette

At a glance.

STATS

David Arquette by the numbers — life, work, and family.

55 Age
2 Marriages
1 Child

Who is David Arquette?

BIOGRAPHY

David Arquette — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

The youngest of five, David Arquette came into the world on September 8, 1971 in Winchester, Virginia, into a family steeped in entertainment. His father, Lewis Arquette, was an actor; his mother, Brenda Denaut, worked as an acting teacher and therapist. His paternal grandfather, Cliff Arquette, was a notable entertainer. Growing up with siblings Rosanna, Richmond, Patricia, and Alexis—all actors—he was immersed in the performing arts from an early age. He attended Fairfax High School in Los Angeles.

Career

Arquette’s first major film role came in 1992 as Luke Perry’s character’s best friend in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. His breakout arrived in 1996 when he was cast as Deputy Dewey Riley in Wes Craven’s Scream. Audiences responded so strongly that, though originally slated to die, Dewey survived and returned for sequels Scream 2 1997 and Scream 3 2000, as well as later installments. Though he took many comedic roles, he earned critical praise for indie films like Johns 1996, Dream with the Fishes 1997, and The Grey Zone 2001. In 2000, he won the WCW Heavyweight Championship in a tag team match, an unusual achievement for a non-wrestler. He also ventured into television, appearing on Friends 1994 as Malcolm and later guest-starring on Medium and My Name Is Earl.

Personal life

Arquette married actress Courteney Cox in June 1999 at San Francisco’s Grace Cathedral, after they met on the set of Scream. They had one daughter, Coco Riley Arquette, born in June 2004. Jennifer Aniston, Cox’s Friends co-star, is Coco’s godmother. The couple divorced in 2013. In April 2015, he married Christina McLarty, with whom he has two sons: Charlie West born 2014 and Augustus Alexis born 2017. Arquette has been open about his struggles with alcohol and entered rehab in January 2011. He is a certified Bob Ross painter and enjoys home improvement, even producing a DIY show Mix It Up with Cox.

Legacy

David Arquette is best known for playing Dewey Riley in the Scream films, a role that spanned over two decades. As a member of the Arquette family, he continues an acting tradition across generations. Beyond film, he has used his influence for charitable work, traveling to Senegal with Malaria No More to witness the impact of malaria. In 2021, he purchased the rights to Bozo the Clown from Larry Harmon Pictures to preserve the character’s legacy. His career, shifting between mainstream blockbusters, indie dramas, and even professional wrestling, highlights his range and lasting appeal.

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 17

A wall of memorable lines from David Arquette — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

Did you know?

FACTS · 30

Little-known facts about David Arquette — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 51

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about David Arquette.

Audited & updated by

Michael Hayes

Senior Copy Editor & Editorial Fact Reviewer

Michael is the last person to read a profile before it goes live, which makes him the one who catches what everyone else missed. 5 years as a copy editor has given him a sharp sense for what's off. A wrong year, a vague credit, a sentence that almost makes sense but doesn't quite. He's especially thorough with filmographies. He'll tell you that's where most of the errors hide. He's right.

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