David Arquette

The youngest of five, David Arquette was born in Winchester, Virginia and is part of the illustrious Arquette family, whose work has spread over several generations. His parents, Lewis Arquette, an actor, and Brenda Denaut (née Nowak), an acting teacher and therapist, had 4 other children: Rosanna Arquette, Richmond Arquette, Patricia Arquette, and Alexis Arquette, all actors. His paternal grandfather, Cliff Arquette, was also an entertainer. David’s mother was from an Ashkenazi Jewish family (from Poland and Russia), while David’s father had French-Canadian, Swiss-German, and English ancestry.

Like his siblings, Arquette started working at an early age, and his first major role came as Luke Perry’s character’s best friend in the hit film Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992). But his major break both personally and professionally didn’t come until 1996 when he was cast in the slasher flick Scream (1996) starring opposite close friend Drew Barrymore, Neve Campbell and more importantly Friends (1994), with Courteney Cox who he married in San Francisco in the summer of 1999. Scream (1996) earned worldwide success and acclaim as did Arquette for his role as lovable simple cop “Dewey”. His role proved to be so popular that in the original script his character was meant to die, but due to test audiences response to Dewey the script was changed and he returned for both Scream 2 (1997) and Scream 3 (2000). Usually known for his goofiness in more mainstream roles, his greatest performances and reviews have come for his indie films such as Johns (1996), Dream with the Fishes (1997) and The Grey Zone (2001). David and wife Courteney Cox reside in LA and produce their own DIY show Mix It Up (2003) because of their love for home improvement.

Character Bio

Scream – Deputy Dewey Riley has a lot to investigate and to prove to others. His nickname and boyish looks make him to not be taken seriously by the Woodsboro town and especially by his sister, Tatum.

The reporter Gale Weathers sees him as a chance to get closer to the scoop news – which he does not realize, for his ingenuity and also by the skills of the seductive opportunist. He really feels something for her.
During the bloodbath at Stuart Maker´s house, he gets really hurt, but stays alive. In the original script, he died, but Wes Craven had the last minute idea to revive him.

Thank God!

Scream 2 – Dewey begins the movie completely demoralized. Gale Weathers’s book portrays him as inexperienced and naive. To make it worse, he was stabbed in the seventh nerve in his spine, which makes him limp.

When the killings start again at Windsor College, the ex-officer comes to protect Sidney, by whom he nurtures a brotherly love. He wants to prevent her of the same destiny that his sister, Tatum, had.

Dewey´s presence revives some humanity in Gale Weathers. They team up to investigate the killings, and in the mean time they share some moments of intimacy. But again, is wounded by the killer, and survives at the end. Ends up being consoled by Gale..

Scream 3 – He now works for Sunrise Studios as a technical adviser in the production of “Stab 3: Return to Woodsboro”. Gale and he share some unpleasant memories. After all, new murders are happening and the relationship failed.

Gale becomes enraged when she discovers that he is living in a trailer at the home of Jennifer Jolie, who plays her in the movies. Dewey joins Detective Mark Kincaid to investigate the murders and protect Sidney Prescott. When all is appeased, and the murderer dead, Dewey asks Gale to marry him.

Scream 4 – Back to Woodsboro, and promoted to Sheriff, Dewey now has a team of policemen under his tutelage: the deputies Judy Hicks, Hoss and Perkins. Some rumors say that he has a frustrated wedding with Gale Weathers.