Whatever Happened to David Walton, the Wiseacre Boyfriend from 'New Girl'?

A few weeks ago, in writing about the new Kate Hudson series, Running Point, I joked about the casting heirarchy for funny, sarcastic douchebag supporting characters in comedies, putting Ike Barinholtz (a co-creator on the series) at the top, Scott MacArthur (his stand-in on the show) next, followed by Ike’s brother Jon Barinholtz, Scott’s brother Hayes MacArthur, and finally, David Walton.

It was the first time I’d thought about David Walton in years. The New Girl alum, who played Zooey Deschanel’s boyfriend in 14 episodes over six years, seemed destined for sitcom stardom back when Hollywood still churned out sitcoms. He led the terrific-but-cancelled-too-soon About a Boy TV adaptation opposite Minnie Driver (of which I was a fan), and even before New Girl, he was part of a great ensemble in a one-season sitcom called Perfect Couples with Olivia Munn, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, and… Hayes MacArthur.

Walton worked steadily over the next decade but had little to show for it, save for a stint on Power Book II: Ghost in 2023, before popping up in the first thing I’d seen him in since Brockmire back in 2017 as a douchebag surgeon in Netflix’s tepid Pulse.

And then, this week, he appeared again in, of all places, my local newspaper, the Portland Press Herald. And if you’re wondering what Walton is doing these days — like every other creative, Walton has… a podcast.

But, there’s at least an interesting hook. David Walton is pursuing stand-up comedy in Maine, and since last October, he’s been chronicling those efforts, having appeared in nearly two dozen open mic nights at a comedy club outside Portland. The Boston native and his family moved to a Portland suburb, where Walton — while continuing his acting career— is not just chasing stand-up (the results, based on the article, are mixed), but also leading a meditation group where he tackles “the bigger questions in life.”

That comedy career apparently grew out of rants he’d go on about everyday experiences, which he decided to hone into a stand-up act. You can listen to his podcast here, where he’s amassed about 25 episodes (mostly 15-30 minutes each). One episode features an interview with Jeremy Sisto (a sort of dramatic version of David Walton), who is also pursuing stand-up, and another with his wife, Roswell alum Majandra Delfino.

Also, real talk: I’d probably place Walton third on that casting list, behind Ike Barinholtz and Scott MacArthur, but ahead of their brothers. (Also, fun fact: Scott and Hayes MacArthur are related to John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur, the oft referenced underwriters of NPR).