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IMDbPro

Keith David(I)

  • Actor
  • Producer
  • Composer
IMDbProStarmeterTop 5,000203
Keith David at an event for The Cape (2011)
After a cult mass suicide, DR. AMARA ROWAN (Anduze), is contacted by the survivors of the cult founded by DR. JOSEPH CAWL (Davison) and DR. LEONARD BERTRAM (David), to uncover the truth, but that truth could make her the next victim.
Play trailer1:33
From the Shadows (2023)
99+ Videos
99+ Photos
Keith David is a classically trained actor, winning 3 Emmys out of 6 nominations as well as being nominated for a Tony award. He starred in the recently concluded TV series "Greenleaf" for Oprah Winfrey's OWN network. Upcoming films include "Horizon Line" with Allison Williams ("Get Out") and "Black As Night," for Amazon.

In "Greenleaf" Keith portrayed 'Bishop James Greenleaf', the charismatic and God-fearing leader of the Calvary Fellowship and the patriarch of the family. The series followed the unscrupulous world of the Greenleaf family, their scandalous secrets and lies, and their sprawling Memphis megachurch. The series was praised for its push and pull dynamic, its hypocrisy, and its compelling characters. Keith's stellar performance was best stated by The Hollywood Reporter, "... Keith David ...is perfectly cast as Bishop Greenleaf. Whether he's playing to the congregation at the altar or getting conspiratorial in a smaller venue, this is an unusually great and meaty role for David."

On the big screen, Keith co-starred with Chadwick Boseman in "21 Bridges". Prior credits include "Night School" with Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish and "Tales from the Hood 2". Additional titles include the Academy award-winning films "Crash" and "Platoon." He is widely recognized for appearing in the highly-acclaimed films Disney's "The Princess and the Frog", "Requiem for a Dream", "Men at Work", "They Live", "There's Something About Mary", and "The Thing."

Other recent TV credits include an upcoming appearance on "Creepshow," "NCIS: New Orleans", "Blackish," MacGyver", and "Fresh Off the Boat". Earlier credits include "Community", "Enlisted", "ER", and "Mister Roger's Neighborhood". On Broadway, Keith starred in August Wilson's "Seven Guitars" and "Jelly's Last Jam" for which he garnered a Tony Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical.

Keith's work as a voice actor has made him a household name. His rich and powerful voice has been featured in national commercials, award shows, documentaries, video games, and animation. His work in narration has earned him three Emmys for Ken Burns' "Jackie Robinson", "The War", and "Unforgivable Blackness - The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson". Some of his other voice acting credits include countless fan favorites such as "Adventure Time", "Bojack Horseman," "Rick & Morty", "Spawn", and "Gargoyles". Keith has lent his voice to many video game titles. Recently he portrayed the character "Spawn" in the reboot of the "Mortal Kombat" video game. Other appearances include the "Halo" series (games 2, 3, and 5), the "Saint's Row" series (games 1, 2, and 4), as well as the "Mass Effect" series (games 1,2, and 3).

Born and raised in New York by his parents Lester and Dolores, Keith became interested in the arts at a very young age. After appearing in his school's production of "The Wizard of Oz", he knew this was what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. He enrolled in New York's High School of the Performing Arts and continued his studies at The Juilliard School. After graduation, he was immediately hired by Joseph Papp as an understudy for the role of Tullus Aufidius in William Shakespeare's "Coriolanus." His work with Mr. Papp and the New York Shakespeare Festival launched his incredible career.

In addition to his versatile acting and voiceover work, Keith is also a remarkable singer. He's has been touring in 2 shows, "Too Marvelous for Words", in which he portrays the legendary singer Nat King Cole, and a show about the incredible Blues singer Joe Williams, "Here's to Life."

Twitter: @ImKeithDavid Instagram: @SilverThroat Facebook: @ImKeithDavid
BornJune 4, 1956
  • More at IMDbPro
    • Contact info
    • Agent info
    • Resume
BornJune 4, 1956
IMDbProStarmeterTop 5,000203
  • Unlock contact info on IMDbPro
  • Won 3 Primetime Emmys
    • 8 wins & 18 nominations total

The Greatest Character Actors of All Time

The Greatest Character Actors of All Time

Jennifer Coolidge, Danny Trejo, Uzo Aduba, and more familar faces you've seen in everything.
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Photos

Photos128

Keith David in Nope (2022)
Keith David in They Live (1988)
Keith David and Ashley Laurence in Dead and Breakfast/Pesticide (2021)
Keith David, Richard Dysart, Charles Hallahan, Peter Maloney, Donald Moffat, and Joel Polis in The Thing (1982)
Keith David in Requiem for a Dream (2000)
Keith David and Mike Dwyer in Union Furnace (2015)
Keith David in Union Furnace (2015)
Forest Whitaker, Keith David, Corey Glover, and David Neidorf in Platoon (1986)
Keith David in Platoon (1986)
Keith David and Josh Hutcherson in Future Man (2017)
Tara Bellando, Keith David, and Mike Dwyer in Union Furnace (2015)
Larenz Tate, Freddy Rodríguez, Keith David, and Bokeem Woodbine in Dead Presidents (1995)

Known for

Bruno Campos, Jim Cummings, Keith David, Jennifer Hale, Jenifer Lewis, Anika Noni Rose, Hynden Walch, and Michael-Leon Wooley in The Princess and the Frog (2009)
The Princess and the Frog
7.1
  • Dr. Facilier(voice)
  • 2009
Jeff Imada and Roddy Piper in They Live (1988)
They Live
7.2
  • Frank
  • 1988
The Thing (1982)
The Thing
8.2
  • Childs
  • 1982
Liv Tyler, Bruce Willis, and Ben Affleck in Armageddon (1998)
Armageddon
6.7
  • General Kimsey
  • 1998

Credits

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IMDbPro

Actor

  • All Fun and Games
    • Post-production
    • 2023
  • From the Shadows
    • Dr. Leonard Bertram
    • Completed
    • 2023
  • Don't Pick Up
    • Christopher Scarpelli
    • Short
    • 2023
  • Duster
    • Ezra
    • In Production
    • TV Series
  • Shelby Oaks
    • Post-production
  • Tim Travers & the Time Travelers Paradox
    • The Simulator
    • Post-production
  • Betty & Blue
    • Willie 'Blue' Watson
    • In Production
    • Short
  • Where Are the Cocoa Puffs?
    • Dr. MacIntyre (rumored)
    • In Production
  • The Gettysburg Address
    • Frederick Douglass (voice)
    • Post-production
  • The Ogilvy Fortune
    • Pre-production
  • New Warriors
    New Warriors
    • Ernest Vigman
    • TV Series
  • Loretta Devine, Kimberly Elise, Nicole Ari Parker, Tony Plana, Michael Jai White, Deon Cole, and Evan Ross in A Snowy Day in Oakland (2023)
    A Snowy Day in Oakland
    • Mr. Monroe
    • 2023
  • Chibiverse (2022)
    Chibiverse
    • King Andrias
    • TV Mini Series
    • 2023
  • The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (2022)
    The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder
    • Clone Bebe (voice)
    • TV Series
    • 2023
  • Parallel Worlds: A Psychedelic Love Story (2023)
    Parallel Worlds: A Psychedelic Love Story
    • Jerry
    • 2023
  • Justin Roiland in Rick and Morty (2013)
    Rick and Morty
    • The President
    • Reverse Giraffe (voice)
    • TV Series
    • 2015–2022
  • Paula Jai Parker, Keith David, LeToya Luckett, Romeo Miller, Porscha Coleman, LazRael Lison, and Demetrius Shipp Jr. in A Miracle Before Christmas (2022)
    A Miracle Before Christmas
    • David
    • 2022
  • Noah Wyle, Gina Bellman, Christian Kane, Andrea Navedo, Beth Riesgraf, and Aleyse Shannon in Leverage: Redemption (2021)
    Leverage: Redemption
    • Billy Spencer
    • TV Series
    • 2022
  • Combat Radio: A Christmas Carol (2022)
    Combat Radio: A Christmas Carol
    • Narrator
    • Video
    • 2022
  • Aztec Warrior God, Emergence (2022)
    Aztec Warrior God, Emergence
    • Huitzilopochtli
    • Short
    • 2022
  • Marvel's Wastelanders: Doom (2022)
    Marvel's Wastelanders: Doom
    • Kingpin
    • Podcast Series
    • 2022
  • Firebuds (2022)
    Firebuds
    • Manny Kablamee (voice)
    • TV Series
    • 2022
  • Amy Smart, Luke Wilson, Meg DeLacy, Hunter Sansone, Brec Bassinger, Anjelika Washington, Yvette Monreal, Cameron Gellman, and Trae Romano in Stargirl (2020)
    Stargirl
    • Mr. Bones
    • TV Series
    • 2021–2022
  • From Scratch (2022)
    From Scratch
    • Hershel Wheeler
    • TV Mini Series
    • 2022
  • Nova (1974)
    Nova
    • Narrator
    • TV Series
    • 2004–2022

Producer

  • Good (2020)
    Good
    • executive produced by
    • 2020
  • Bewildered (2018)
    Bewildered
    • executive producer
    • Short
    • 2018
  • Service to Man (2016)
    Service to Man
    • associate producer
    • 2016
  • Creature Feature: 60 Years of the Gill-Man (2014)
    Creature Feature: 60 Years of the Gill-Man
    • producer
    • 2014
  • The Inheritance (2011)
    The Inheritance
    • executive producer
    • 2011
  • Creature Feature: 50 Years of the Gill-Man (2004)
    Creature Feature: 50 Years of the Gill-Man
    • producer
    • Video
    • 2004

Composer

  • Chances
    • Composer
    • Short
    • 2015
  • In-development projects at IMDbPro

Videos154

"Louis" from The Princess and the Frog
Clip 1:17
"Louis" from The Princess and the Frog
"Mama Odie" from The Princess and the Frog
Clip 1:22
"Mama Odie" from The Princess and the Frog
The Princess and the Frog: "Kiss the Frog"
Clip 3:22
The Princess and the Frog: "Kiss the Frog"
Gamer: "Play to Live” TV Spot
Clip 1:02
Gamer: "Play to Live” TV Spot
What Goes Around Comes Around
Clip 1:23
What Goes Around Comes Around
Sick As Your Secrets
Clip 1:55
Sick As Your Secrets
The Nice Guys
Clip 1:04
The Nice Guys
The Nice Guys
Clip 0:54
The Nice Guys
The Nice Guys
Clip 0:54
The Nice Guys
The Nice Guys
Clip 1:05
The Nice Guys
Free Birds
Clip 1:15
Free Birds
Free Birds
Clip 1:40
Free Birds

Personal details

Edit
  • Official sites
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
  • Alternative name
    • David Keith
  • Height
    • 6′ 2″ (1.88 m)
  • Born
    • June 4, 1956
    • New York City, New York, USA
  • Spouses
      Dionne LeaApril 28, 2001 - present (2 children)
  • Children
      Maelee Williams
  • Parents
      Dolores Dickenson
  • Other works
    TV commercial (voiceover): Single White Female (1992) on TNT
  • Publicity listings
    • 1 Interview
    • 1 Article
    • 1 Magazine Cover Photo

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    Following the film Platoon (1986), Charlie Sheen - who starred in the film - did a TV interview and credits David with saving his life. While shooting in an open-doored Huey gunship, the helicopter banked too hard, and Sheen was thrown towards - and would have gone through - the open door. David grabbed Sheen by the back and pulled him back in.
  • Quotes
    Actually, I wanted to be an actor when I was two years old.
  • Trademarks
      Deep commanding voice, very reminiscent of Orson Welles

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