Keith David

Early Life

Keith David Williams was born on June 4, 1956, in Harlem, New York City, and raised in Corona, Queens. His mother, Dolores, worked as a manager at New York Telephone, while his father, Lester Williams, was a director of payroll operations. David's passion for performance ignited when he played the Cowardly Lion in a school production of "The Wizard of Oz." He honed his craft at Manhattan's High School of Performing Arts and later graduated from the Juilliard School's Drama Division in 1979 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

Career

David's career began in earnest in the early 1980s when he toured with John Houseman's The Acting Company, performing in productions like "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "Waiting for Godot." He gained recognition for his role as Childs in John Carpenter's "The Thing" (1982) and became a familiar face on television, notably as Keith the Southwood Carpenter in "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood." Over the years, he has appeared in over 400 roles across film, television, and voice work, including notable films such as "Platoon" (1986), "They Live" (1988), and "Armageddon" (1998). His distinctive bass voice has made him a sought-after narrator, earning him a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Narrator.

Personal Life

Keith David has been married twice and has a son from his first marriage and two daughters from his second. He identifies as a spiritual person rather than religious, emphasizing his belief in God and the importance of church. In a 2017 Twitter Q&A, he shared that his favorite voice roles include Dr. Facilier from "The Princess and the Frog" and Goliath from "Gargoyles." Recently, in April 2023, he publicly endorsed author Marianne Williamson in the 2024 Democratic presidential primaries, showcasing his engagement in social and political issues.