higgins was born on december 9, 1961, in des moines, iowa, one of five children (including brothers steve and alan) of marian higgins (née coppola; 1932–2011) and harold higgins, who was a janitor at west des moines schools. after receiving encouragement from a fourth-grade teacher, he won a scholarship to the des moines playhouse and performed in several summer operettas. he was raised in des moines and graduated from theodore roosevelt high school in 1980. he attended the university of iowa, where he studied liberal arts until he realized he wanted to pursue a career in entertainment.