Comedy Confidential: Getting Real with David Moskowitz, Chris Rock’s Trusted Confidant
Once upon a time in the sunny streets of Glendale, there lived a man who could make both Hollywood and Broadway envious of his life script – David “Mosky” Moskowitz.
Born on a Christmas morning in Brooklyn, this charismatic Glendale resident has worn more hats than a magician at a hat store.
From gracing the screen as Santa Claus in “Guardians of The Galaxy: Holiday Special” to being the muse for Chris Rock’s BFF character on “Everybody Hates Chris,” David’s life is a real blockbuster.
A USC film school graduate, radio show extraordinaire, and a Santa who moonwalks – he’s the walking definition of a Renaissance man.
When he’s not charming audiences on screen or teaching acting, you might catch him on a quest to find the perfect slice of pizza and burger in Los Angeles.
A man of many talents, David is also a guitar virtuoso, leg presses over 1,300 lbs, and can do the moonwalk – a skill he mastered in just a year.
With a pet peeve for drunks and a love for Star Wars and Star Trek, David’s life is as eclectic and entertaining as the roles he’s played.
In Glendale, where every day is a new scene, David Moskowitz is the star of his own show, bringing a touch of Brooklyn charm and Hollywood flair to his Californian journey.
Glendale Buzz brings the spotlight to the extraordinary David “Mosky” Moskowitz, unraveling the laughter-packed tales of his Glendale adventures in an exclusive interview. 🌟✨
Q: Having searched for the best slice in LA, any contenders in Glendale, or are we still chasing the elusive New York flavor?
Ab-so-LUTE-ly! Always trying different pizza joints around Glendale (and the valley)! The best one I’ve found in Glendale — albeit kinda pricey (but you get what you pay for, right!?) — is owned by two Armenian sisters, The Little Goat Pizza House (942 N. Brand Blvd.). And the runners up are: California Pizza Kitchen (Brand south of Wilson), and a 3rd place tie between Pizza Man (several around Glendale) and Big Mamas & Big Papas (BMBP; several around Glendale). Honorable mention: Slash Pizza (6520 San Fernando Rd.). STILL — nothing EVEN comes CLOSE to New York pizza! (Must be somethin’ in the water!).
Q. Chris Rock mentioning you during the Oscars – any behind-the-scenes tales or unexpected shoutouts in Glendale?
Chris still thinks I live in Phoenix! (Met with him three times backstage after his performances there.) So I’m trying to get word to his people that I live in Glendale — and HAVE for the past dozen years! It’s just super cool to know I went to Chris (Rock) based his BFF Greg character on David in the CW series, “Everybody Hates Chris!”.
Q. What's the craziest childhood memory you share with Chris Rock back in Marine Park Jr. High?
It always warms my heart when Chris tells the story, in his public appearances, how I was the ONLY KID in his 9 years of public schooling in Brooklyn who invited him to their home for a “play date.” (I deserve the Pulitzer for that! Lol!).
Was BFF’s with Chris Rock at Marine Park Jr. High in the Sheepshead Bay section of Brooklyn, NY, 8th grade in 1978-79. Both times when Chris hosted the Oscars (in 2005 and 2016) he mentioned David’s name as part of an Oscar gag.
Chris also mentioned my name right outta the gate … at the beginning of his four-minute monologue at the 2023 Mark Twain Prize ceremony honoring Adam Sandler at the Kennedy Center, Washington, DC. (Aired on CNN 3/26/23). Chris and David were BFF’s at Marine Park Jr. High in the late 70s in the Sheepshead Bay section of Brooklyn.
Here’s my backstory with Chris: http://youtu.be/BFlyZ7D8kkc
3. When I meet with him, what’s truly surrealistic is that when I look into his eyes the bond is amazingly still there. (I have that connection with my other close friends, but the inner bond seems stronger with Chris). Just one of those inexplicable life things. And when I meet with I’m he always says out loud so the people around him can hear how I was “ the only one nice” to him.
Q. In the eternal quest for the best burger and pizza in LA, has Glendale offered any surprising contenders?
Yuuuup! My favorite burger joints are: Cheesecake Factory cheeseburgers (the one in the Americana; happy hour special 4p-6p during the week in the bar area); Foxy’s (Colorado & Brand). 3rd: In & Out (119 S. Brand).
Q. Leg pressing seven times your weight – any secret workout spots in Glendale that contributed to this impressive feat?
YMCA! Need to do it at least once a week to two weeks to keep up my leg strength and leg muscles not to not atrophy (during the pandemic – it was a bitch! Lol! Couldn’t work out in the gym for MONTHS!). Secret to the trick: Been increasing my weight on leg presses, gradually, for over 12 years.
Q. Being born on Christmas – any unique ways you celebrate your birthday?
Yes! Traditionally get my free “birthday” coffee at Starbucks. Then go to Denny’s get my free breakfast (Yes, I’m a generous tipper!). Hike to the Griffith Park observatory, and take in a movie!
Q. Any special tunes on Santa's playlist while cruising the Glendale streets during the holidays?
Just Xmas music starting traditionally on December 10th (that seems to be the sweet spot of when I’m in the mood to really sled into Christmas 15 days later!). I listen to KOST 103.5 FM in my car while driving around town (my only wishe is that they would play Christmas music up until New Year’s Day. They stop at 12 midnight on Christmas).
Q. How did it feel to be the real-life inspiration for Chris Rock's BFF Greg character in "Everybody Hates Chris"?
Incredible, as I mentioned above.
The second time I saw Chris backstage at his show in Phoenix, I confronted him with the question: “Chris, did you base the Greg character on me?” He hemmed and hawed, putting his right hand fingers about an inch apart and squinting with his right eye, “Well, a little bit but not really. Kinda. Sorta.” And then Chris finally admitted the Greg character (his white best friend) in CW’s “Everybody Hates Chris” WAS based on me on Bill Maher’s HBO “Real Time” show: http://youtu.be/2ly__WHV-S4
Side note: Chris is now producing and narrating an animation-version of the show taking place in his later years called, “Everybody Still Hates Chris” (hopefully he still has a Greg character in it! lol!).
Q. Prepping for "People Puzzler" with crossword puzzles – any favorite local spots where you decoded the LA Times and NY Times puzzles?
I did the crossword puzzles on my phone, primarily in coffee shops around town like Urartu Coffee (119 N Artsakh Ave.),
Uptown Coffee (1831 W Glenoaks Blvd.), and at home. I’d look at the LA Times & NY Times daily crossword puzzles since they were so challenging. I did this for an entire month! Amazes me how some people are so good at crossword puzzles.
Q. Any encounters with local celebrities or star-studded moments while navigating Glendale?
Met Chris Jenner in the valet area at the Americana about a decade ago. She was having dinner at the now defunct, Katsuya, with Ross Matthews (formally, the intern of the tonight show with Jay Leno. Supposedly he just moved to Glendale and she was visiting him).
She was super nice and took a photo with me. I was just surprised she got into a Lincoln navigator with tinted windows instead of driving a Rolls-Royce. Lol!
Q. If your journey in Glendale were a movie genre, would it be a comedy, drama, or action-packed adventure?
All of the above! If Glendale were a movie in my life it’d be a fusion of Falling Down (Michael Douglas) meets Lost in Translation (Bill Murray) meets Crash (Sandra Bullock, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle)— meets Annie! (Aileen Quinn, Albert Finney, Carol Burnett).
David, thanks for the entertaining chat! It's been a blast throwing those quirky questions your way. Before we sign off, any shoutouts or parting words for our readers? And where can they catch your antics on social media?
Have the courage to start, whatever endeavor that may be, and to get over the “suck” to continually level up. Ain’t easy, but you’ve gotta start somewhere!
They can catch me on Instagram: @david.moskowitz
And follow my crazy, whacky and exciting antics on IMDb:
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