David Rakoff

David Rakoff (November 27, 1964 – August 9, 2012) was an essayist, journalist, and actor. Originally from Canada, Rakoff graduated from Columbia University; he obtained dual Canadian-American citizenship in 2003 and resided for much of his life in New York City. His brother Simon is a stand-up comedian.

Rakoff wrote for the New York Times Magazine, Outside, GQ, Vogue, and Salon. He frequently contributed to the radio program This American Life on Public Radio International. Rakoff's essays have been collected in the books Fraud and Don’t Get Too Comfortable and are largely autobiographical and humorous. 

He was openly gay, and his writings have been compared to those of essayist and friend David Sedaris. Rakoff was even mistaken for David Sedaris. Rakoff wrote for the New York Times Magazine, Outside, GQ, Vogue, and Salon. He frequently contributed to the radio program This American Life on Public Radio International. 

Rakoff's essays have been collected in the books Fraud and Don’t Get Too Comfortable and are largely autobiographical and humorous. Rakoff made several appearances on the Daily Show and voiced the reading part of Thomas Jefferson for Jon Stewart's America (The Book): A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction. Rakoff's acting roles included the Off-Broadway comedy play, The Book of Liz, authored by friends David and Amy Sedaris, the film Strangers with Candy, also co-written by Amy Sedaris, and a cameo in the film Capote.