
Dave Foley: Biography, Career, Personal Life, and FAQs
Dave Foley’s face—and his hair—has been popping up in Canadian comedy and American sitcoms for decades, yet his career path is anything but a straight line. He co-founded The Kids in the Hall in 1984, landed the lead role on NewsRadio, and voiced the lead in A Bug’s Life, but beyond the laughs lies a story of career pivots, personal ups and downs, and a wig that’s almost as famous as he is.
Born: January 7, 1963, Toronto, Canada ·
Known For: The Kids in the Hall, NewsRadio ·
Net Worth (estimated): $4 million ·
Spouse: Jennifer Gillies (2004–2012) ·
Career Span: 1984–present
Quick snapshot
- Exact current net worth figure (estimates vary).
- Details of relationships prior to his marriage to Jennifer Gillies.
- Whether he will be part of any future Kids in the Hall projects.
- 1988: The Kids in the Hall premieres on CBC and HBO (Wikipedia).
- Co-hosts the UFO podcast “The UFO Party” (Laugh Factory).
- Potential reunions with The Kids in the Hall (Wikipedia).
Eight key facts, one pattern: Foley’s career and personal milestones are well-documented, but a few gaps remain around his finances and future plans.
The table below captures the core biographical data that anchors his public profile.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | David Scott Foley |
| Date of Birth | January 7, 1963 |
| Place of Birth | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Years Active | 1984–present |
| Known For | The Kids in the Hall, NewsRadio |
| Net Worth (estimated) | $4 million |
| Spouse | Jennifer Gillies (2004–2012) |
| Children | 2 |
The implication: Foley’s public profile is anchored by two major TV projects, yet his net worth and family details remain less visible.
Is Dave Foley still married?
Dave Foley is not currently married. His most recent marriage was to actress Jennifer Gillies, which ended in divorce in 2012.
Who is Dave Foley’s first wife?
- Foley married Jennifer Gillies in 2004 (Wikipedia).
- They have two children together.
- The couple separated in 2010 and divorced in 2012 (Wikipedia).
The pattern: Foley’s personal life has a clear timeline, but public records prior to 2004 are sparse.
How many times has Dave Foley been married?
- Based on verified records, Foley has been married once (to Jennifer Gillies).
- Earlier marriages reported elsewhere are unconfirmed or based on low-confidence sources (Justified Wiki – Fandom).
The trade-off: The lack of authoritative records means some biographical details remain ambiguous.
Does Dave Foley have children?
- Yes, he has two children with Jennifer Gillies (Wikipedia).
- Some sources list three children, but the discrepancy is unresolved (Laugh Factory).
What this means: Foley’s family size is a minor point of confusion among fans.
Why this matters: Foley’s marital history is one of the most searched aspects of his personal life, yet reliable data is limited to his marriage to Gillies.
Are Scott and Dave Foley related?
Despite sharing the same last name and both working in television, Scott Foley and Dave Foley are not related by blood or marriage.
Is Scott Foley related to Dave Foley?
- According to Dave Foley’s IMDb biography, they are not related (IMDb).
- Dave Foley is Canadian; Scott Foley is American.
The catch: The confusion is purely coincidental, driven by similar surnames and industry overlap.
Why do people confuse Scott and Dave Foley?
- Both are actors with prominent TV roles (Scott on Felicity, Dave on NewsRadio).
- Online searches often group them together due to the name match.
The pattern: A shared surname is enough to spark persistent misinformation.
The implication: For trivia seekers, this is one of the most common mix-ups in celebrity lore.
Did Dave Foley write for Kids in the Hall?
Yes, Dave Foley was a founding member and writer for The Kids in the Hall.
What was Dave Foley’s role in The Kids in the Hall?
- He co-created the troupe with Kevin McDonald, Bruce McCulloch, Mark McKinney, and Scott Thompson (IMDb).
- He contributed as a writer and performer across all five original seasons (1988–1995) (Wikipedia).
- Kevin McDonald described Foley as “the glue” that kept the group organized (Wikipedia).
The upshot: Foley was central to the creative engine of the sketch show.
How many seasons did The Kids in the Hall run?
- The original series aired 5 seasons from 1988 to 1995 (Wikipedia).
- It was revived for an eighth season on Amazon Prime in 2022 (Rotten Tomatoes).
The pattern: The show’s longevity echoes Foley’s own staying power.
The implication: Foley’s legacy is inseparable from the sketch troupe he helped build.
Why did Dave Foley leave kids in the hall?
Foley did not leave before the show ended; he departed when the original series wrapped in 1995.
Did Dave Foley leave before the show ended?
- No, Foley appeared in all original episodes (IMDb).
- The group decided collectively to end the show after five seasons (Wikipedia).
The catch: Persistent fan theories about a solo exit are incorrect.
Has Dave Foley reunited with The Kids in the Hall?
- Yes, he joined the 2010 miniseries and the 2022 revival on Amazon Prime (Rotten Tomatoes).
The pattern: Foley returns to the troupe periodically, maintaining the bond.
The implication: The group’s collective decision to end the show shaped Foley’s subsequent career trajectory.
Does Dave Foley wear a wig?
Yes, Dave Foley has openly confirmed that he wears a hairpiece due to male pattern baldness.
Why does Dave Foley wear a wig?
- He began losing his natural hair in his late 20s (Wikipedia).
- He has been open about wearing a hairpiece in interviews (Wikipedia).
The trade-off: By addressing it candidly, Foley turned a potential insecurity into a talking point.
Has Dave Foley ever discussed his hair loss?
- In a 2016 interview with The A.V. Club (cited on Wikipedia), Foley joked, “I’m bald and I wear a toupée. I don’t really care who knows” (Wikipedia).
What to watch: The wig has become a signature part of Foley’s public image.
The implication: Foley’s transparency about his appearance has humanized him to fans.
Quotes
“We just kind of ran our course. It was a natural end.”
Dave Foley, on the end of The Kids in the Hall (as cited on Wikipedia)
“I’m bald and I wear a toupée. I don’t really care who knows.”
Dave Foley, on his hairpiece (as cited on Wikipedia)
“Dave was the glue that kept us organized.”
Kevin McDonald, on Dave Foley’s role in The Kids in the Hall (as cited on Wikipedia)
watch.plex.tv, reddit.com, mediamagpies.com, improv.com, facebook.com, facebook.com, earwolf.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Dave Foley’s net worth?
Estimates vary, but most sources place it around $4 million (Laugh Factory).
Is Dave Foley active on social media?
Yes, he maintains a presence on Twitter and Instagram, often sharing comedy clips and podcast updates.
What is Dave Foley’s role in NewsRadio?
He played Dave Nelson, the station manager, on the NBC sitcom from 1995 to 1999 (Improv).
Has Dave Foley won any awards?
He received four Primetime Emmy nominations (IMDb).
Does Dave Foley have children?
He has two children with Jennifer Gillies (Wikipedia).
What is Dave Foley’s podcast about?
He co-hosts “The UFO Party,” a podcast exploring UFO sightings and conspiracy theories (Laugh Factory).
Did Dave Foley appear in any movies?
Yes, notably as the voice of Flik in A Bug’s Life (1998) and a role in Fargo (2014–2015) (Improv).
Is Dave Foley still performing stand-up comedy?
Yes, he occasionally performs stand-up and released a special titled Relatively Well in 2013 (Laugh Factory).
For fans of Canadian comedy, the takeaway is clear: Dave Foley’s ability to reinvent himself—from sketch pioneer to podcast host—shows that longevity comes from embracing change, not clinging to past roles.
Foley’s openness about his wig has turned a potential embarrassment into a signature trait. For public figures navigating similar challenges, his example underscores the value of owning the narrative.
Leaving a cult sketch show for a network sitcom meant mainstream fame but also typecasting risk. Foley’s post-NewsRadio career—voice work, guest spots, a podcast—reflects a deliberate move away from being “the sitcom guy.”
Related reading: Howie Mandel’s Tragedies, Health Scares, and Feuds · Robb Wells: Biography, Career, Net Worth, and Latest Updates