Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Aug 1, 2026

Dave Holstein

Dave Holstein is an American writer, producer, and showrunner known for his work in television and film.

Last revised
Aug 1, 2026
Read time
≈ 3 min
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Wikipedia ↗
Dave Holstein
Born
David Holstein

Houston, Texas, U.S.
Occupations
  • Writer
  • producer
  • showrunner
Years active2004 – present

Dave Holstein is an American writer, producer, and showrunner known for his work in television and film.123

Life and career

Dave Holstein, born in Houston, Texas, is a graduate of Northwestern University.4 He created and wrote for the Showtime series Kidding, starring Jim Carrey, which was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy.5 He has been a writer and producer for shows like Weeds, The Brink on HBO, I'm Dying Up Here on Showtime, and the final season of Raising Hope on FOX.67 Additionally, he has written for Gigantic on TeenNick.4 His film work includes co-writing the screenplay for Pixar’s sequel Inside Out 2.8

In theater, Holstein's notable work includes the musical adaptation of The Emperor's New Clothes, which was staged at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. As a student, he attended PGT (Play Group Theatre) in White Plains, NY.9 He also co-wrote the interactive musical short film My Little Red/Green Coat with Alan Schmuckler, which premiered at the New York Musical Theatre Festival in 2015.10 Additionally, he attended the Johnny Mercer Writers Colony at Goodspeed Musicals in 2014.11

In addition to his television and theater work, Holstein has ventured into podcasting with "Wait Wait Don't Kill Me," the first ever serialized podcast musical which he co-wrote with Alan Schmuckler, for which he received the 2017 Webby Award.12

Selected filmography

Year Title Writer Producer Creator Notes
2008–2012 Weeds Yes Yes No Wrote 19 episodes, produced 13 episodes
2010–2011 Gigantic Yes No No Wrote 4 episodes
2013–2014 Raising Hope Yes Yes No Wrote 1 episode, produced 20 episodes
2015 The Brink Yes Yes No Wrote 3 episodes, produced 9 episodes
2017 I'm Dying Up Here Yes Yes No Wrote 1 episode, produced 9 episodes
2018–2020 Kidding Yes Yes Yes 20 episodes
2020 68 Whiskey Yes Yes No Wrote 2 episodes, produced 10 episodes
2024 Inside Out 2 Yes No No Feature film

Awards and nominations

Year Result Award Category Work Ref.
2009 Nominated Writers Guild of America Awards Comedy Series Weeds 13
2019 Nominated Golden Globe Awards Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy Kidding 5
2024 Won Hamptons International Film Festival Achievement in Screenwriting Award Inside Out 2 14
Nominated International Online Cinema Awards Best Adapted Screenplay 15
2025 Nominated Annie Awards Outstanding Achievement for Writing in a Feature Production 16
Won Humanitas Prize Best Family Feature 17
References

References

  1. "'It's like writing inside a dishwasher when it's on': 'Inside Out 2' writers Meg LeFauve and Dave Holstein on crafting the blockbuster sequel". goldderby.com. Retrieved 2025-02-14.
  2. "'Inside Out 2' Writer Reflects on the Anxiety of Writing a Movie About Anxiety". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved 2025-02-14.
  3. "'Kidding' Creator Dave Holstein on Landing Jim Carrey and the Dark Comedy's Incredible Cast". collider.com. Retrieved 2025-02-14.
  4. "Dave Holstein". avclub.com. Retrieved 2025-02-14.
  5. "Kidding". goldenglobes.com. Retrieved 2025-02-14.
  6. "Dave Holstein's show "Kidding" puts a ray of sunshine in a troubled world". dailynorthwestern.com. Retrieved 2025-02-14.
  7. "Not Kidding Around: Dave Holstein Talks About His New Jim Carrey-Starring Show". pastemagazine.com. Retrieved 2025-02-14.
  8. ""Inside Out 2" Screenwriter Dave Holstein on Anxiety Taking Center Stage". motionpictures.org. Retrieved 2025-02-14.
  9. "Alumni's Musical Adaptation of "The Emperor's New Clothes" Opens at Wirtz". communication.northwestern.edu. Retrieved 2025-02-14.
  10. "Watch New Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Musical Film, "My Little Red/Green Coat"". playbill.com. Retrieved 2025-02-14.
  11. "Goodspeed Musicals Announces 46 Artists to Participate in Johnny Mercer Writers Colony". theatermania.com. Retrieved 2025-02-14.
  12. "Secrets, Crimes & Audiotape: Wait Wait Don't Kill Me Series". winners.webbyawards.com. Retrieved 2025-02-14.
  13. "2009 Writers Guild Awards Announced". deadline.com. Retrieved 2025-02-14.
  14. "Demi Moore, Liev Schreiber and Malcolm Washington Set for Hamptons International Film Festival Honors". variety.com. Retrieved 2025-02-14.
  15. "International Online Cinema Awards 2024 Nominations". IOCA. Retrieved 2025-09-09.
  16. "Annie Awards 2025: 'The Wild Robot' Leads with 10 Nominations". indiewire.com. Retrieved 2025-02-14.
  17. "'The Pitt,' 'Dying for Sex,' 'Heartstopper' Among 2025 Humanitas Prize Winners". Variety. 2025-09-07. Retrieved 2025-09-09.
External links