David Strassman was born in Los Angeles and became interested in theatre after a visit to the Magic Castle in Hollywood at age 11. He practiced magic and ventriloquism until high school where he attended New Trier West High School in Chicago, performing in plays and musicals. Strassman studied improvisation for a year after taking a master class with Viola Spolin from 2nd City. After High School and 1 year of college, Strassman moved to New York City to study acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts for a year and then later at the Herbert Berghoff Studios. To earn money, he started performing on the streets of New York, London, and Paris, then got performance spots at the Comic Stip, Catch a Rising Star, and Improv comedy clubs in NYC. Performing the comedy club circuit throughout the late '70's and 1980's, Strassman worked his way up from opening act to high paid headliner. He made numerous appearances on television in the US, headlined Las Vegas, and, won critics awards at the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland. His shows have played all over the English speaking world