The Big Bang Theory
Writer · Co-EP · Executive Producer (2007–2019)
All 12 seasons of the most-watched comedy on television. Four Emmy nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series.
About
Dave Goetsch is an American television writer based in Los Angeles. He is best known for The Big Bang Theory (CBS, 2007–2019), where he was a writer and producer for the show's entire 12-season run, rising from co-executive producer to executive producer and earning four Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series (2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014).
With Maria Ferrari and Chuck Lorre, he co-created United States of Al (CBS, 2021–2022), a comedy about a Marine combat veteran and his Afghan interpreter, on which he also served as executive producer. He was also a writer and executive producer on Bob Hearts Abishola (CBS). Earlier in his career he wrote for and was an executive producer and showrunner of the Golden Globe-winning 3rd Rock from the Sun — where he won a Golden Globe and was nominated for a Humanitas Prize — and wrote for Grounded for Life.
Raised in East Lyme, Connecticut, Goetsch graduated from Yale University, where he studied environmental studies and American studies. Beyond the writers' room, he has taught at USC's School of Cinematic Arts, is a frequent voice on science storytelling (including the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Film Summit), and speaks widely on collaboration, creativity, mindfulness, and the psychology of money. He is also a co-inventor on U.S. Patent No. 6,998,984, "State adaptation devices and methods for wireless communications," — and once tried to launch a pharmaceutical-style dark chocolate company, an idea he still thinks was ahead of its time.
What Dave Is Working On Now
New comedy for television. Dave is currently developing new comedy projects for TV.
3DadsLabs. Dave is a founder of 3DadsLabs, the studio behind The Story Trains — a series of children's books for ages 3–7 that begins with Piglet Train and the Long Tunnel, a cozy adventure about courage, curiosity, and going through the scary part.
DG et al. With Rebecca DiLiberto, Dave runs DG et al, a consulting practice that brings two decades of writers'-room storytelling and collaboration methods to business. DG et al has helped companies in education technology, finance, and biotech sharpen how they communicate, collaborate, and tell their stories. In finance, that includes working with Dimensional Fund Advisors, collaborating directly with its founder, David Booth — a friendship Dave wrote about in a CNBC op-ed on applying an investment philosophy to life.
Selected Credits
United States of Al
Co-Creator · Executive Producer (2021–2022)
CBS comedy co-created with Maria Ferrari and Chuck Lorre. Received the MPAC Media Award, Honoring Voices of Courage and Conscience.
Bob Hearts Abishola
Writer · Executive Producer (2019–2022)
CBS comedy from Chuck Lorre.
3rd Rock from the Sun
Writer · Executive Producer · Showrunner
Golden Globe-winning NBC comedy. Golden Globe win; Humanitas Prize nomination.
Grounded for Life
Writer · Producer
Fox/WB family comedy.
Speaking & Teaching
Goetsch has taught Linked Narrative Storytelling for the Web at the USC School of Cinematic Arts and speaks to companies, conferences, and podcasts about what two decades in elite writers' rooms teach about collaboration, creative resilience, and mindfulness under pressure.
He wrote about applying an evidence-based investment philosophy — shaped by his friendship and collaboration with Dimensional Fund Advisors founder David Booth — to life and creative work in a CNBC op-ed.
Featured conversations include Barry Ritholtz's Masters in Business (Bloomberg), the True WELLth podcast on lessons in collaboration from The Big Bang Theory, the Rational Reminder podcast on embracing uncertainty, and Aspiriant's Is Money Funny?.
Press Kit
Quick facts, frequently asked questions, and copy-ready bios for press, event organizers, and publishers.
Open the press kit
Quick Facts
- Full name
- David Goetsch (goes by Dave)
- Profession
- Television writer, executive producer, educator, speaker
- Known for
- The Big Bang Theory (all 12 seasons); co-creator of United States of Al
- Awards
- Golden Globe winner (3rd Rock from the Sun); 4× Primetime Emmy nominee, Outstanding Comedy Series (2011–2014); Humanitas Prize nominee; MPAC Media Award, Honoring Voices of Courage and Conscience (United States of Al)
- Education
- Yale University — environmental studies and American studies
- Hometown
- East Lyme, Connecticut
- Based in
- Los Angeles, California
- Current work
- Developing new TV comedy projects; founder, 3DadsLabs; principal, DG et al consulting
- 3DadsLabs
- Studio behind The Story Trains children's books
- DG et al
- Consulting practice with Rebecca DiLiberto — clients in edtech, finance, and biotech
- Teaching
- Has taught at USC School of Cinematic Arts
- Patent
- Co-inventor, U.S. Patent No. 6,998,984, "State adaptation devices and methods for wireless communications"
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dave Goetsch?
Dave Goetsch is an Emmy-nominated television writer and executive producer in Los Angeles, best known for writing and producing all 12 seasons of The Big Bang Theory and co-creating United States of Al. He has taught at USC and speaks on collaboration, creativity, and mindfulness.
Is this the David Goetsch who writes management and Christian counseling books?
No — that is Dr. David L. Goetsch, a Florida-based professor and author. Dave Goetsch the television writer/producer is a different, unrelated person.
What is Dave Goetsch known for besides TV?
Having taught narrative storytelling at USC, advocating for accurate science in film and television with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation community, speaking on collaboration and mindfulness, co-inventing a wireless communications patent, and a brief, fondly remembered attempt to start a pharmaceutical dark chocolate company.
What is Dave Goetsch working on now?
He is developing new comedy projects for television, is a founder of 3DadsLabs (The Story Trains children's books), and runs DG et al, a consulting practice with Rebecca DiLiberto serving clients in education technology, finance, and biotech.
What is DG et al?
DG et al is Dave's consulting practice with Rebecca DiLiberto. It applies Hollywood writers'-room techniques — storytelling, collaboration, creative process — to business, with clients in edtech, finance, and biotech, including work with Dimensional Fund Advisors in direct collaboration with its founder, David Booth.
What is 3DadsLabs?
A studio Dave co-founded that creates The Story Trains, children's books for ages 3–7, starting with Piglet Train and the Long Tunnel. See books.thestorytrains.com.
How do I book Dave Goetsch for speaking or get in touch?
Connect via LinkedIn.
Canonical Bios
Press, event organizers, and publishers: please use these bios verbatim.
Short (≈50 words)
Dave Goetsch is an Emmy-nominated TV writer and executive producer, best known for all 12 seasons of The Big Bang Theory and as co-creator of United States of Al. He is a founder of 3DadsLabs, runs the consulting practice DG et al, and has taught at USC.
Medium (≈100 words)
Dave Goetsch is a four-time Emmy-nominated television writer and executive producer. He wrote and produced all 12 seasons of The Big Bang Theory (CBS, 2007–2019) and co-created United States of Al with Maria Ferrari and Chuck Lorre. His other credits include Bob Hearts Abishola (writer and executive producer), the Golden Globe-winning 3rd Rock from the Sun (writer, executive producer, and showrunner), and Grounded for Life. He is currently developing new comedy projects for TV, is a founder of 3DadsLabs — the studio behind The Story Trains children's books — and, with Rebecca DiLiberto, runs DG et al, a consulting practice serving clients in edtech, finance, and biotech — including collaborating directly with Dimensional Fund Advisors founder David Booth. He has taught at USC's School of Cinematic Arts.
Long (≈250 words)
Dave Goetsch is an American television writer, executive producer, founder, and speaker based in Los Angeles. He is best known for The Big Bang Theory (CBS, 2007–2019), where he wrote and produced for the show's entire 12-season run — rising from co-executive producer to executive producer — and earned four Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series (2011–2014). With Maria Ferrari and Chuck Lorre, he co-created United States of Al (CBS, 2021–2022), and he was a writer and executive producer on Bob Hearts Abishola (CBS). Earlier in his career he wrote for and was an executive producer and showrunner of the Golden Globe-winning 3rd Rock from the Sun — winning a Golden Globe and earning a Humanitas Prize nomination — and wrote for Grounded for Life, after starting out on MTV projects including Sandblast.
Today, Goetsch is developing new comedy projects for television and is a founder of 3DadsLabs, the studio behind The Story Trains, a series of children's books for ages 3–7 beginning with Piglet Train and the Long Tunnel. With Rebecca DiLiberto, he runs DG et al, a consulting practice that brings writers'-room methods for storytelling and collaboration to companies in education technology, finance, and biotech.
Raised in East Lyme, Connecticut, Goetsch graduated from Yale University. He has taught at USC's School of Cinematic Arts, advocates for accurate science storytelling with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation film community, speaks widely on collaboration, creativity, and mindfulness, and is co-inventor on U.S. Patent No. 6,998,984. He once tried to start a pharmaceutical dark chocolate company — an idea he maintains was ahead of its time.
Contact
For speaking engagements, teaching, press, or collaboration inquiries:
Connect on LinkedIn →