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Keith David

Birth Place: New York, NY, USA

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BIO

Keith David Williams (born June 4, 1956) is an American actor. He is known for his deep voice and screen presence in over 300 roles across film, stage, television, and interactive media.



He has starred in such films as The Thing (1982), Platoon (1986), They Live (1988), Dead Presidents (1995), Armageddon (1998), There's Something About Mary (1998), Requiem for a Dream (2000), Pitch Black (2000), Barbershop (2002), Crash (2004), The Chronicles of Riddick (2004), Cloud Atlas (2012), The Nice Guys (2016), and Nope (2022). He starred as Elroy Patashnik in the sixth season of the NBC series Community (2015) and starred as Bishop James Greenleaf in the Oprah Winfrey Network drama Greenleaf (2016–2020).

His Emmy-winning voice-over career includes work as the narrator of Ken Burns films such as The War (2007) and Muhammad Ali (2021). In film, characters that he has voiced include Dr. Facilier in The Princess and the Frog (2009) and the Cat in Coraline (2009). On television, he portrayed Goliath on Gargoyles (1994–1997), Al Simmons / Spawn on Todd McFarlane's Spawn (1997–1999), The Flame King on Adventure Time (2012–2017), Andre Curtis / The President on Rick and Morty (2015–), King Andrias on Amphibia (2020–2022), Dr. Tenma on Pluto (2023), and Husk on Hazbin Hotel (2024–). Video game roles include the Arbiter Thel 'Vadamee in the Halo franchise (2004–2015), Julius Little and himself in the Saints Row series (2006–2017), Admiral Anderson in the Mass Effect series (2007–2013), Chaos in Dissidia Final Fantasy (2008), and Sergeant Foley in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009).

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
2021
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
2007
Oberon

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2006
Victor

[Off-Broadway]
2001
Othello

[Off-Broadway]
2000
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
2000
Leontes

[Broadway]
1996
Floyd Barton

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1994
Judge Brack

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1992
Chimney Man

[Off-Broadway]
1992
Boesman

[Regional (US)]
World Premiere, 1991
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
1989
Aaron

[Off-Broadway]
1988
Tullus Aufidius

[Off-Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Off-Broadway Production, 1986
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
1985
Blue Haven

[Off-Broadway]
1984
Colline

[Off-Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Off-Broadway Production, 1982
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
1981
Theseus/Oberon

[Off-Broadway]
1981
Pozzo

[Off-Broadway]
1980
Pirate/Policeman

Pirate King (Understudy)

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1979
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
1980
Performer

[Broadway]
1980
Oscar (Standby)

[Off-Broadway]
1979
Attendant/Native/Servant

Othello (Understudy)


Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 1992 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical

Keith David , Jelly's Last Jam

Videos

News


Exclusive: HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, HAZBIN HOTEL, and More at FanX

When you think about the FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention, you may not realize the number of Broadway-related connections it has, even beyond this year’s spotlights on HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL and HAZBIN HOTEL.
Glen Powell and Taraji P. Henson Lead Two New Star-Studded Scripted Comedy Podcasts This Fall

Audible Inc. and Broadway Video Enterprises, has announced two new original comedy podcasts featuring A-list casts set to premiere this fall: The Best Man’s Ghostwriter, starring Glen Powell and Nicholas Braun, and Stranded, starring Taraji P. Henson and Tracee Ellis Ross.
Video: New MUFASA: THE LION KING Trailer Premieres at D23

Watch a new trailer for MUFASA: THE LION KING, in theatres on December 20, 2024!
GREMLINS: THE WILD BATCH Adds Simu Liu To Main Voice Cast, Reveals Premiere Date

At the GREMLINS: THE WILD BATCH panel at San Diego Comic-Con, Max let loose a flurry of exciting casting announcements for the second season of the hit animated prequel series, including news that Simu Liu will join the main cast, and John Glover – star of the “Gremlins” film sequel – will return to the franchise as a guest voice.
Video: Watch Trailer for HARLEY QUINN Spin-Off Series KITE MAN: HELL YEAH!

Max has released the trailer for the new adult animated series Kite Man: Hell Yeah, which features characters from the Max Original adult animated series Harley Quinn. The series is set to debut with two episodes on Thursday, July 18, followed by one new episode weekly through September 12, on Max. Watch the trailer now!
Review: JELLY'S LAST JAM at Pasadena Playhouse

Director Kent Gash’s production in Pasadena serves up equal parts heat and cool, a slick and sweaty celebration of a man who was as vibrant and dangerous as his music. Under the musical direction of Darryl Archibald and choreography of Dell Howlett – both of which are first-rate – the evening cooks.
DANCES WITH FILMS LA Announces Film Lineup Including 117 World, North American, And U.S. Premieres

Explore the diverse film lineup at Dances With Films LA, featuring 117 world, North American, and U.S. premieres.
MUFASA: EL REY LE"N estrena su primer teaser y póster

El próximo mes de diciembre llegará a cines de todo el mundo MUFASA: EL REY LEÓN precuela de la adaptación live action del clásico de animación que contará el origen del padre de Simba.
Video: MUFASA: THE LION KING, Featuring Music From Lin-Manuel Miranda

An all new film in Disney's The Lion King series is coming this December! 'Mufasa: The Lion King' will feature new songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, who also serves as producer alongside Mark Mancina. Watch an all new trailer in the video here!
The Museum of Broadway Will Host Reunions For the Casts of THE WHO'S TOMMY and JELLY'S LAST JAM

The Museum of Broadway will host two upcoming events reunited the original Broadway casts of The Who's Tommy and Jelly's Last Jam next week. Learn more about both events here!
THE COLOR PURPLE, Colman Domingo, and More Take Home NAACP Image Awards - Full List of Winners!

The 55th Annual NAACP Image Awards were announced during a ceremony on Saturday, March 16th. See the full list of winners here!
John Douglas Thompson & Nicole Ari Parker to Lead Red Bull Theater's ANTONY & CLEOPATRA

RED BULL THEATER has revealed updated casting for the next offering of a new season of OBIE Award-winning Revelation Readings: Antony & Cleopatra by William Shakespeare. See who is starring!
Tickets On Sale Now To See THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG At The El Capitan Theatre!

Journey into the Bayou as Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog” returns to the big screen at the El Capitan Theatre. Tickets for this special event are now on sale!
Ken Burns's LEONARDO DA VINCI Documentary is Coming to PBS

The film, which explores the life and work of the 15th century artist Leonardo da Vinci, is Burns's first non-American subject. It also marks a significant change in the team's filmmaking style, which includes using split screens with images, video and sound from different periods to further contextualize Leonardo's art and scientific explorations.
HAZBIN HOTEL disponible en Prime Video

Ya está disponible en Prime Video la serie musical HAZBIN HOTEL: EL HOTEL DE LAS VIEJAS GLORIAS, una sitcom de animación para adultos creada por Vivienne Medrano y con música de Sam Haft, Andrew Underberg, Evan Alderete, Gooseworx, Thomas Ryan y Parry Gripp.
Interview: Keith David and Blake Roman on Going From Stage to the HAZBIN HOTEL

Watch a video of Keith David and Blake Roman discussing going from stage to the recording booth in Hazbin Hotel. BroadwayWorld sat down with David and Roman to discuss what to expect from the series, the potential differences between performing on Broadway and in the recording booth for the animated series, and more. 
Interview: HAZBIN HOTEL Creator Discusses the Series' Broadway Cast

Watch a video of Hazbin Hotel creator Vivienne Medrano discussing their voice cast of Broadway stars, including Erika Henningsen, Stephanie Beatriz, Jessica Vosk, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Keith David, Blake Roman, Christian Borle, Patina Miller, Joel Perez, Don Darryl Rivera, Krystina Alabado,Alex Brightman, James Monroe Iglehart, Lilli Cooper, and more.
HAZBIN HOTEL Creator Interested in Broadway Musical Adaptation

Hazbin Hotel creator Vivienne Medrano wants to bring the show to Broadway. Since the series features a stacked lineup of Broadway stars, the creator, director, and executive producer of the adult animated musical series says she would be interested in seeing the series make it to the stage.
Interview: Jessica Vosk & Daphne Rubin-Vega on What to Expect From HAZBIN HOTEL

Watch a video of Jessica Vosk and Daphne Rubin-Vega teasing what to expect from Hazbin Hotel, the new adult animated musical series on Prime Video. We sit down with them to discuss what they enjoyed about their first time doing voice work for animation, what to expect from the new series, and more.
Daphne Rubin-Vega, Kara Young, Reynaldo Piniella & More to Star in HAMLET Reading at The Acting Company 

The Acting Company has revealed the cast for their reading of Hamlet. See the full cast and learn how to purchase tickets!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Keith David been in?

Keith David has appeared on Broadway in 6 shows.

How many West End shows has Keith David been in?

Keith David has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Keith David been nominated for?

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Jelly's Last Jam.

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