Back in Blood: David Magidoff Talks Dexter, Love Stories, and Staying Grounded

David Magidoff is the kind of performer who makes chaos look charming. Whether he’s dodging death in Dexter: Resurrection, turning heartbreak into musical improv at his cult-favorite show Making Love, or getting strangers to do the unthinkable on the streets of New York, Magidoff moves through comedy and drama with the same ease he brings to a dinner party—hosting with heart, humor, and a little bit of mayhem. As he returns to the morally murky world of Dexter’s Iron Lake this summer, we caught up with the actor, host, and eternal improv kid to talk awkwardness, ambition, and the art of saying yes to it all.

You’re back as Teddy Reed in Dexter: Resurrection. How does it feel stepping into that character again—especially in a world where things are darker, bloodier, and more morally complicated than ever?
You mean the world of Dexter or the world we all live in?! Well, both are likely true, aren’t they. Personally, it’s wonderful to be back playing make-believe with some of the greatest storytellers in television. Scott Reynolds and Clyde Phillips are the cream of the crop. And the fans are the greatest. It’s an honor.

You’ve built a career balancing drama (The Morning Show) and comedy (Broke A$$ Game Show, Making Love with David Magidoff). Is there one version of David that feels most true to you—or do you thrive in the switch?
When I play me (aka hosting game shows) versus not me (getting screamed at by Mark Duplass), that’s really the most me. If you know me personally, I love hosting people at my home and playing games with everyone. So that rings the most true. But I thrive in the switch, yes. Nothing like playing pretend but also being the most me. The best acting is not acting, so ideally the most “me” comes through in all the roles I do.

Teddy Reed always had a sort of lovable awkwardness. Has the character evolved in this new chapter, or is he still the same guy trying to do good in a dangerous world?
Don’t worry, Teddy’s still awkward. Because I’m still awkward! But things have definitely changed in Iron Lake, so Teddy’s a different guy for sure. And I won’t say if I die or not, which is the question everyone asks you when you’re on Dexter.

Your long-running live show Making Love turns cringe love stories into full-blown improvised musicals. What inspired you to mix romance, comedy, and improv in such a wild way?
I’ve loved performing improv since I was 14 years old. It’s been my one life’s passion, and one day I just asked myself what show would I do if I got the chance to do anything I want. And I said (to myself), I want to do musical improv and I want it to be about love. Because love is the greatest and most interesting thing on Earth. And being at The Elysian in L.A., so many new people have gotten to see it. It’s just so flipping special.

With guests like Tony Hale, Rachel Bloom, and Tiffani Thiessen, Making Love has become a cult favorite. What’s one moment from the show that totally caught you off guard—even as the host?
My favorite stories are actually from the audience. The first half of the show, I get an audience member to share a story with me, and those just come out of nowhere. Two shows ago, a guy raised his hand and said he dated two girls at once in high school and they finally found out about each other and basically destroyed him. The last show, their first date ended up with a broken nose in the ER. And she was a professional model. You can’t make this stuff up. It’s delightful.

You started as a teen movie reviewer and now you’re the one making headlines. Do you remember the first time you felt, ‘I’m actually in the industry now’?
Yes! I had a column in central New Jersey’s Asbury Park Press called The Reel Deal. My buddy Brandon and I reviewed movies in high school. They paid us in free movie tickets. Incredible! I honestly didn’t know I would ever have a career in Hollywood. I only got into it towards the end of college. I made fun of all my friends who went to school for acting. Joke’s on me.

**From getting New Yorkers to twerk on the sidewalk (Broke AGameShow∗)tocreatingunscriptedmusicals—what′stheboldestorweirdestthingyou′vedoneforalaugh?∗∗Easyanswer:Weplayedagameonceon∗BrokeA Game Show where I went up to people near Port Authority, handed them a hot dog, and said “If you put your wiener in my manhole, I’ll give you $20.” The manhole was a real sewer cover on the street with a hole in the middle.

You’ve played cops, reporters, hosts, lovers, and the occasional chaos agent. What role—or genre—are you still itching to take on?
I’m finally doing a horror movie later this year. I get to put a screwdriver in someone’s eye! I also look forward to going to space. In film. Not real life.

You’ve performed across so many iconic L.A. spaces, including the Elysian Theater. How has the L.A. comedy scene shaped you, and how do you keep things fresh in a town that’s seen it all?
There are so many improv shows in L.A. More than any other city in the world. I’ve just been following my gut the whole way. My show has evolved tremendously by the amazing people I’ve met along the way. I used to have one piano player and two performers. Now I have a cellist, a poet, a rapper, and my musical director is an Oscar-nominated composer (Ryan Lott of Everything Everywhere All At Once). Follow the fun and the fun follows you.

What’s your secret to connecting with people—whether it’s an audience, a co-star, or a stranger you’ve just asked to do something ridiculous on camera?
Listen. Be interested in what they have to say. And also find ways to use your high voice. I’m half-joking, but I feel like science says when a person uses a more vulnerable vocal tone the person you’re talking to notes that sense of openness. Also smiling helps. 🙂

What’s something about you—not the comedian, not the actor, not the host—that people might be surprised to learn?
I once did a summer internship at Marvel Comics in New York City. In college I had no idea what I wanted to do. But at the time I owned over 3,000 comic books and thought maybe Marvel could be a career. It turned out it was more fun to read them than make them.

With Dexter: Resurrection premiering July 11 and Making Love selling out shows, how are you keeping yourself grounded through all the madness? Or is chaos part of the magic?
The chaos comes from the adorable 2.5-year-old that lives in the room next to mine. All the TV and comedy shows are smooth sailing after that.

Magidoff may be juggling scripts, spotlights, and late-night lullabies, but there’s a rare steadiness to how he approaches his work: with curiosity, vulnerability, and a sincere desire to connect. Whether it’s an audience of hundreds or a stranger with a hot dog near Port Authority, he knows the secret sauce—listen, smile, and stay weird. As Dexter: Resurrection heats up and Making Love continues to surprise, one thing’s clear: David Magidoff isn’t just back—he’s exactly where he’s meant to be.

Photography Smallz + Raskind

Story Kyra Greene