Pierce was born in Saratoga Springs, New York. He received a bachelor of arts degree from Yale with a double major in English and theater arts.

In 1981 he went to New York City and quickly got a job selling ties in Bloomingdale's while he studied acting. He landed his first professional acting job in "Beyond Therapy" on Broadway, followed by stints off-Broadway and in regional theater. Between 1983-85 he worked in various productions at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis before returning to appear in the New York Shakespeare Festival production of "Hamlet." He interrupted his stage work for a role in his first feature film, "Bright Lights, Big City," before departing on a tour of the Soviet Union and Japan in "The Cherry Orchard," from 1988-89.

Pierce's big break came when he appeared on Broadway for six months in "The Heidi Chronicles," earning him the attention of the media and his peers. More feature roles followed in such films as "Little Man Tate" and "The Fisher King." His other feature credits include "Crossing Delancey," "Rocket Gibraltar," "Sleepless in Seattle," "Wolf," "Nixon," "A Bug's Life" and "Isn't She Great." Pierce will next be seen opposite Jeff Goldblum and Salma Hayek in the film "Chain of Fools."

During his most recent hiatus from "Frasier,' Pierce wrapped production on the independent film "Wet, Hot, American Summer," opposite Janeane Garofolo and Paul Rudd.

Prior to "Frasier," Pierce starred in the comedy "The Powers That Be," in which he portrayed a chronically depressed and suicidal United States congressman. His additional television credits include guest-starring roles on "Crime Story," "Spenser: For Hire," NBC's "Caroline in the City," "The Outer Limits" and "The Simpsons."

In his leisure time, Pierce enjoys playing piano (he used to be a church organist) and skiing. He currently lives in Los Angeles.