Dave McCary was born on July 2, 1985, in San Diego, California, to parents Diane Lee McCary and Gary Lee McCary12. Growing up, McCary developed a passion for comedy and filmmaking from an early age. He attended Thurgood Marshall Middle School in San Diego, where he likely began honing his creative skills1.

McCary's father was a Seventh-Day Adventist pastor, which may have influenced his upbringing1. During his youth, he formed a close friendship with Kyle Mooney, who would later become his collaborator in comedy and filmmaking3. This friendship proved pivotal in shaping McCary's career trajectory.

After high school, McCary enrolled at the University of Southern California, where he continued to pursue his interest in comedy and film4. However, he dropped out after his second year to focus on his creative endeavors3. It was during this time that McCary, along with Mooney and other friends, began laying the groundwork for what would become their sketch comedy group, Good Neighbor, marking the beginning of his professional journey in the entertainment industry23.

Dave McCary made his feature film directorial debut with "Brigsby Bear" in 2017, a quirky comedy-drama that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival12. The film, written by and starring Kyle Mooney, tells the story of a man obsessed with a children's TV show that was created solely for him3. McCary's direction received critical acclaim for its blend of whimsy and heartfelt storytelling2.

Key aspects of McCary's work on "Brigsby Bear" include:

• The film was produced by The Lonely Island and Lord Miller Productions4

• It was acquired by Sony Pictures Classics for $5 million at Sundance4

• McCary aimed to capture the feeling of making low-budget YouTube videos while working on a larger scale3

• The movie explored themes of creativity, friendship, and the power of storytelling23

McCary's experience directing digital shorts for SNL helped prepare him for the challenges of feature filmmaking5. The success of "Brigsby Bear" established McCary as a promising new voice in independent cinema12.

Dave McCary and Emma Stone's relationship began in December 2016 when Stone hosted Saturday Night Live and McCary directed her in the "Wells for Boys" sketch1. The couple kept their romance private for years, only confirming their relationship in October 20172. They announced their engagement in December 2019 with a simple Instagram post showing Stone's pearl engagement ring3.

McCary and Stone quietly married in September 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic4. In March 2021, they welcomed their daughter, Louise Jean McCary, named after Stone's grandmother5. The couple maintains a low public profile while supporting each other's careers, with Stone occasionally mentioning McCary in award acceptance speeches6. They balance their professional endeavors with family life, co-founding Fruit Tree production company in 2020 and collaborating on various film projects78.