At just 17 years old, David Krumholtz landed the role of the acid-tongued and perpetually youthful elf Bernard in the 1994 hit film The Santa Clause.
The movie was a huge staple in many people’s childhoods and went on to become a Christmas classic, and even now, more than three decades on it’s still watched by millions every time the holiday season rolls around.
It transformed Krumholtz into a massive sensation, but 31 years after starring in the beloved flick, Krumholtz, now 47, is practically unrecognizable.
He recently posed a video of himself singing a Christmas song for the holidays, and he left fans shocked over how different he looked.
Taking to Instagram on Christmas, Krumholtz shared a clip of himself belting out the holiday tune Santa Clause is Coming to Town.
Immediately, it brought on a wave of nostalgia for viewers, who rushed to the comment section to share their thoughts.
‘Bernard! What a voice,’ one gushed.
‘I introduced my eight-year-old to The Santa Clause films this week. She was INCENSED that Bernard wasn’t in the third film,’ another user shared.
At just 17 years old, David Krumholtz landed the role of the acid-tongued and perpetually youthful elf Bernard in the 1994 hit film The Santa Clause
The movie was a huge staple in many people’s childhoods and went on to become a Christmas classic
‘We’re now watching the TV series and EVERY episode she asks, “Is Bernard in this one?!” Next generation fan!’
‘Yup that’s Bernard right there! Merry Christmas,’ someone else penned.
‘I just watched you on Santa Clause,’ read a fourth comment.
‘Omg it’s f**king Bernard,’ wrote a stunned fan.
Krumholtz, who sported stubble on his face, donned a black beanie, a black shirt and big coat in the video.
The former child star first started acting at age 13 when he went to an open audition for the Broadway show Conversations with My Father and got a small part.
His early movie and TV roles include Life with Mikey and Addams Family Values, but it was when he was cast in The Santa Clause in 1994 that his career really took off; he also continued the role for the sequel in 2002.
After that, he went on to appear in a slew of comedic films, including the popular ’90s classic 10 Things I Hate About You and Harold And Kumar Go To White Castle.
It transformed Krumholtz into a massive sensation, but 31 years after starring in the beloved flick, Krumholtz, now 47, is practically unrecognizable
He recently posed a video of himself singing a Christmas song for the holidays, and he left fans shocked over how different he looked
He also gained a firm following playing Professor Charlie Eppes on the CBS crime drama Numbers from 2005 to 2010.
Returning to the role that found him fame, Krumholtz made a comeback as Santa’s helper Bernard in the 2022 Disney+ series, The Santa Clauses.
He told Time back in 2022 that he still gets recognized as Bernard when he’s out and about.
After ‘resenting’ it for a good portion of his 20s and 30s, he added that he was now at peace with being typecast.
He explained: ‘Only having recently had children myself, I thought, there’s something sort of worth emulating about Bernard. I wish I could be Bernard in a way.
‘He’s a good guy who is trying his best to save Christmas and do the right thing. I thought that’s something I could be again.’
His most recent role was as Isidor Isaac Rabi in the acclaimed movie Oppenheimer.
After The Santa Clause, he went on to appear in a slew of comedic films, including the popular ’90s classic 10 Things I Hate About You (seen) and Harold And Kumar Go To White Castle
His most recent role was as Isidor Isaac Rabi in the acclaimed movie Oppenheimer. He’s seen in the film with Cillian Murphy
He’s now set to star in the upcoming film Supergirl and the biographical sports drama Mr. Irrelevant. He’s seen in February
He’s now set to star in the upcoming film Supergirl and the biographical sports drama Mr. Irrelevant.
On the relationship front, Krumholtz is married to fellow actor Vanessa Britting.
The couple, who have a son and a daughter together, dated for more than three years before Krumholtz popped the question during a trip to Paris in 2008.
They went on to tie the knot at the Plaza Hotel in New York City on May 22, 2010.
