Basic Information About David L Lander
David L Lander, born David Leonard Landau on June 22, 1947, was an American actor, comedian, musician, voice artist, author, baseball scout, and multiple sclerosis advocate. He became widely recognized for portraying Andrew “Squiggy” Squiggman on the popular ABC sitcom Laverne & Shirley, which ran from 1976 to 1983.
Beyond his television fame, Lander lived an unusually varied life. He explored comedy, animation, professional baseball, writing, and health advocacy with the same curiosity that shaped his early career. To me, his story stands out because it reveals a man whose identity extended far beyond one unforgettable television character.
He died on December 4, 2020, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles at age 73 from complications of multiple sclerosis. He left behind his wife, Kathy Fields, daughter Natalie Lander, and a remarkable collection of creative and personal achievements.
Early Life and the Family That Shaped His Ambitions
David was born in Brooklyn, New York, and spent part of his childhood in the Bronx. He was the youngest son of Saul, sometimes identified as Sol, Landau and Stella Goldman Landau. Both parents worked as high-school teachers, creating a household where education and intellectual curiosity were part of everyday life.
His mother, Stella, came from a Jewish family with Russian and Polish roots. David also had an older brother named Robert Landau, who followed a professional path in education.
David decided he wanted to become an actor when he was approximately 10 years old. That early ambition eventually led him to New York’s High School of Performing Arts, where an unexpected naming issue helped shape his professional identity.
Another student had already registered the name David Landau with the actors’ union. Rather than abandon his ambitions, he adopted the surname Lander. He later legalized the name, transforming a practical complication into the identity audiences would remember.
Education and the Birth of Lenny and Squiggy
Lander studied at New York University and Carnegie Mellon, then Carnegie Tech. He met Michael McKean at Carnegie Mellon, who became one of his closest friends and most crucial creative colleagues.
Lenny Kosnowski and Andrew “Squiggy” Squiggman were created through dormitory improvisations. Their chemistry was instant. Lenny and Squiggy’s unusual, funny, and uncomfortable rhythm made their conversations unforgettable.
The characters moved from college to LA comedy. Their early development shows how casual experiments can launch an entertainment career.
The Credibility Gap and the Rise of Squiggy
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, David Lander and Michael McKean joined The Credibility Gap, a Los Angeles comedy ensemble known for satirical radio sketches and recordings. The group included performers such as Harry Shearer and provided an important creative laboratory for Lander.
Their work combined improvisation, satire, and observational humor. Lenny and Squiggy gradually became polished characters during this period, ready for a much larger stage.
Penny Marshall, who later became famous as Laverne on Laverne & Shirley, helped connect the duo with the sitcom. Their audition led to roles that would define a major part of Lander’s career.
From 1976 through 1983, Lander appeared in the majority of Laverne & Shirley episodes as Squiggy. His character’s distinctive voice, comic timing, and mischievous personality made him a recognizable television presence.
The partnership with McKean also extended into music. In 1979, they released the comedy album Lenny and the Squigtones, featuring Christopher Guest on guitar under the fictional name Nigel Tufnel.
David Lander’s Film and Voice Acting Career
Although Squiggy remained his signature role, Lander continued working extensively in film, television, and animation after Laverne & Shirley ended.
His acting credits included appearances in 1941 in 1979, Used Cars in 1980, A League of Their Own in 1992, Scary Movie in 2000, and Christmas with the Kranks. He also appeared in television productions such as Twin Peaks, The Bold and the Beautiful, and The Simpsons, where he reprised the Squiggy character.
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Animation became another important part of his professional life. He voiced Smart Ass, the chief weasel, in Who Framed Roger Rabbit in 1988 and played Thumper in Pixar’s A Bug’s Life in 1998.
He also contributed to various animated series and Garfield projects. His final credited voice role was Rumpelstiltskin in Goldie & Bear in 2017, a particularly meaningful project because his daughter Natalie also appeared in the series as Goldie.
A Passionate Baseball Scout Beyond Hollywood
One of the most fascinating chapters of David Lander’s life was his involvement in professional baseball. While many fans knew him as Squiggy, Lander was also a devoted Pittsburgh Pirates supporter and a serious student of the sport.
He developed an early interest in advanced baseball statistics and became one of the first approximately 100 readers of Bill James’ self-published Baseball Abstract in the late 1970s. He corresponded with James and maintained a longstanding membership in the Society for American Baseball Research.
In 1980, Lander acquired an approximately 5 percent minority stake in the Portland Beavers, then the Pirates’ Triple-A affiliate. His involvement helped the team afford veteran pitcher Luis Tiant. Lander jokingly referred to himself as a “decisionary consultant.”
His baseball enthusiasm later became more formal.
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Year
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Baseball Milestone
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Late 1970s
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Followed advanced statistics and corresponded with Bill James
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1980
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Acquired a minority stake in the Portland Beavers
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1997
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Began working as an associate scout for the Anaheim Angels
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Around 2004
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Continued scouting with the Seattle Mariners
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2000s
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Maintained detailed scorebooks and evaluated prospects
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Lander joined the Anaheim Angels as an associate scout around 1997. Later, when Bill Bavasi became general manager of the Seattle Mariners, Lander followed him into that organization.
He attended games, studied players, kept detailed scorebooks, and submitted scouting reports. The compensation was minimal, but the work offered something more valuable to him: proximity to the game he loved.
His multiple sclerosis caused physical limitations, yet he continued attending baseball games whenever possible. His scouting career was never about fame or financial reward. It was a genuine extension of his lifelong fascination with baseball.
Marriage to Thea Markus
David Lander’s first marriage was to Thea Markus, also identified in some accounts as Thea Pool or Thea Poole. They married in 1969 and divorced in 1976.
Some descriptions identify Thea as a photographer, although publicly available information about her professional life remains limited. Their marriage ended during the same year that Laverne & Shirley premiered, marking a period of major personal and professional transition for Lander.
Because Thea maintained a relatively private profile, details about their relationship remain scarce.
Kathy Fields Lander His Second Wife and Lifelong Partner
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In March 1979, David married Kathy Fields; he died in 2020. Kathy, born January 5, 1947, is an actor, photographer, and psychotherapist.
She became a successful still photographer after playing Kareen in Johnny Got His Gun in 1971. The Towering Inferno, Looking for Mr. Goodbar, and Robin and Marian were among her film photography credits.
Kathy’s family was famous in showbiz. Producer and agent Freddie Fields was her father, and child actress Edith Fellows was her mother. Actress and singer Polly Bergen was her stepmother.
David and Kathy kept their family discreet despite their Hollywood ties. Kathy helped David through his long battle with multiple sclerosis and in his final days.
David was her partner through decades of work changes, health issues, and family milestones.
Natalie Lander The Daughter Who Followed His Creative Path
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Natalie Jenette Lander was born on March 28, 1983, in Los Angeles. She is David Lander and Kathy Fields’ only publicly known child.
Following in her father’s footsteps, Natalie became an actress, voice actress, and singer. She graduated from Pepperdine University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater and developed a career spanning television, film, and animation.
Her acting credits include appearances in The Middle, where she played Debbie, as well as Castle, Hannah Montana, 13 Reasons Why, and 9-1-1: Lone Star. She also appeared in Material Girls.
Her voice work includes Goldie in Goldie & Bear and Kinzie Kensington in the Saints Row video game series.
Natalie has spoken about her father as an inspiration, particularly his ability to remain engaged with life despite the challenges of multiple sclerosis. She married actor and director Jared Hillman on September 3, 2017.
The family shared a close bond, and Natalie and Jared were present when David died. Her career represents a creative continuation of the artistic interests that shaped her father’s life.
Living With Multiple Sclerosis and Becoming an Advocate
David Lander was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1984, shortly after Laverne & Shirley ended. For approximately 15 years, he kept the diagnosis private because he feared it could affect his career.
In 1999, he publicly revealed his condition and began speaking more openly about the realities of living with MS.
His memoir, Fall Down Laughing: How Squiggy Caught Multiple Sclerosis and Didn’t Tell Nobody, was published in 2000 with Lee Montgomery. The book blended humor, personal reflection, and an honest account of his health journey.
That same year, he was named Ambassador of the Year by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. He also served as a goodwill ambassador, participated in public service announcements, and spoke at events to increase awareness.
Rather than allowing the disease to define his entire identity, Lander used his public platform to discuss its challenges while continuing to work in entertainment and baseball.
David Lander’s Net Worth and Financial Background
At the time of his death, David Lander’s net worth was commonly estimated at approximately $8 million. These figures are celebrity wealth estimates rather than audited financial statements.
His income came from multiple professional activities, including:
- Television acting and residuals from Laverne & Shirley.
- Film and voice acting.
- Animation and video game work.
- Book royalties and related publishing income.
- Other entertainment projects.
His baseball scouting work was not a significant source of wealth. Reports described the role as minimally compensated, with potential small bonuses connected to signed players reaching the major leagues.
Lander’s financial story reflects a diversified entertainment career rather than a single source of income.
Final Years and Lasting Family Memories
In his later years, Lander promoted multiple sclerosis awareness and entertainment while coping with his illness.
His 2017 Goldie & Bear voice job was a touching professional connection with Natalie. A creative space connected father and daughter performers.
David died at 73 in Los Angeles on December 4, 2020. Hollywood Forever Cemetery received his cremated urn.
Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, and relatives praised his wit, originality, tenacity, and warmth. His life included comedy clubs, television studios, baseball press boxes, and advocacy events, but family was always there.
FAQ
Who was David L Lander?
David L Lander was an American actor, comedian, voice artist, author, baseball scout, and multiple sclerosis advocate best known for playing Squiggy on Laverne & Shirley.
When was David L Lander born?
David L Lander was born on June 22, 1947, in Brooklyn, New York.
Who was David L Lander’s wife?
David L Lander was married twice. His first wife was Thea Markus, and his second wife was Kathy Fields, whom he married in March 1979.
Who is David L Lander’s daughter?
His daughter is Natalie Jenette Lander, an actress, voice actress, and singer known for television, animation, and video game roles.
What was David L Lander’s connection to baseball?
Lander was a lifelong Pittsburgh Pirates fan, minority owner of the Portland Beavers, and associate scout for the Anaheim Angels and Seattle Mariners.
When was David L Lander diagnosed with multiple sclerosis?
He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1984 and publicly revealed his condition in 1999.
What book did David L Lander write?
He co-wrote Fall Down Laughing: How Squiggy Caught Multiple Sclerosis and Didn’t Tell Nobody, published in 2000.
How did David L Lander die?
David L Lander died on December 4, 2020, from complications of multiple sclerosis at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
What was David L Lander’s estimated net worth?
His net worth was commonly estimated at approximately $8 million at the time of his death, although detailed public financial records are unavailable.
What was David L Lander’s final credited acting role?
His final credited voice role was Rumpelstiltskin in Goldie & Bear in 2017, alongside his daughter Natalie Lander.
