KEITH DAVID

Keith David: A Masterful Voice in Entertainment

Keith David Williams, born on June 4, 1956, in Harlem, New York City, is an American actor, voice actor, and singer renowned for his deep, resonant voice and commanding presence. Raised in Corona, Queens, he developed an early passion for acting, inspired by his role as the Cowardly Lion in his school's production of The Wizard of Oz. This experience led him to pursue formal training at Manhattan's High School of Performing Arts, followed by a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Juilliard School's Drama Division in 1979 .

Early Career and Breakthrough

David's professional journey began with a national tour in John Houseman's The Acting Company, performing in productions like A Midsummer Night's Dream and Waiting for Godot. His film debut came in 1982 with John Carpenter's The Thing, where he portrayed Childs. He continued to collaborate with Carpenter, starring in They Live (1988) and Prince of Darkness (1987). Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, David appeared in numerous films, including Platoon (1986), Men at Work (1990), Requiem for a Dream (2000), and There's Something About Mary (1998), showcasing his versatility across various genres .

Voice Acting Legacy

David's distinctive voice has made him a sought-after voice actor in animation, video games, and documentaries. He is perhaps best known for his role as Goliath in Disney's Gargoyles (1994–1997), a performance that earned him an Emmy nomination. Other notable voice roles include Dr. Facilier in The Princess and the Frog (2009), the Cat in Coraline (2009), and The Arbiter in the Halo video game series . His narration work in Ken Burns' documentaries, such as The War (2007) and Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson (2004), earned him multiple Emmy Awards for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance.

Recent Work and Personal Life

In recent years, David has continued to contribute to both film and television. He starred as Bishop James Greenleaf in the Oprah Winfrey Network's drama series Greenleaf (2016–2020) and appeared in films like 21 Bridges (2019) and Horizon Line (2021) . David is also recognized for his work in theater, having been nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in the musical Jelly's Last Jam (1992). Beyond his acting career, he is a trained singer and has performed in various musical productions.

Keith David's enduring career and contributions to the arts have solidified his status as a respected and influential figure in the entertainment industry.