With a baritone voice so rich and commanding that it can give you chills in a single sentence, Keith David is one of the most respected, enduring talents in American entertainment. From classic sci-fi thrillers and intense military dramas to iconic voice roles in animated classics and blockbuster video games, David has spent over four decades building an extraordinary body of work.
Published exclusively for Tushstories.com, here is the ultimate, up-to-date dive into his life, career, net worth, marriages, and ongoing artistic legacy.
Biography
Born Keith David Williams on June 4, 1956, in Harlem, New York City, he grew up in Corona, Queens. His mother, Dolores Dickenson, worked as a manager at New York Telephone, while his father, Lester Williams, was a director of payroll operations.
David’s passion for performing was sparked early when he played the Cowardly Lion in an elementary school production of The Wizard of Oz. Recognizing his natural talent, he enrolled at Manhattan’s prestigious High School of Performing Arts before advancing to the Drama Division at Juilliard, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1979. He began his professional stage career touring with John Houseman’s The Acting Company in classic theatrical productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Waiting for Godot.
Keith David Age
Born in June 1956, Keith David is 70 years old. Entering his eighth decade, David remains as energetic, prolific, and active in Hollywood as actors half his age, proving that true artistry only deepens with time.
Career
The chronicle of Keith David’s career is defined by rare versatility across theater, film, television, and voice acting:
- 1980s Breakthroughs & Cult Classics: David made an unforgettable cinematic entry as Childs opposite Kurt Russell in John Carpenter’s sci-fi horror masterpiece The Thing (1982). He followed this with standout turns as King in Oliver Stone’s Oscar-winning war drama Platoon (1986) and Frank Armitage in the sci-fi action classic They Live (1988), which features one of the most famous extended brawl scenes in cinema history.
- 1990s–2000s Dynamic Character Work: He brought gravitas to independent and studio films like Dead Presidents (1995), Armageddon (1998), There’s Something About Mary (1998), Pitch Black (2000), Requiem for a Dream (2000), Barbershop (2002), and the Oscar-winning Crash (2004).
- Voice Acting Supremacy: Equipped with one of the most recognizable voices in pop culture history, David has voiced legendary characters including Goliath in Gargoyles, Spawn in Todd McFarlane’s Spawn, the villainous Dr. Facilier in Disney’s The Princess and the Frog (singing “Friends on the Other Side”), President Curtis in Rick and Morty, and Husker in Hazbin Hotel. He has also earned two Emmy Awards for his documentary narration in Ken Burns projects like The War.
- Television Stardom: David led the acclaimed OWN drama series Greenleaf (2016–2020) as Bishop James Greenleaf and joined the main cast of Community in its final season as Elroy Patashnik.
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Keith David Movies
Across a filmography spanning over 400 total screen and voice credits, the major highlights of Keith David movies include:
| Movie Title | Release Year | Role | Key Distinction / Notes |
| The Thing | 1982 | Childs | Breakout film debut in John Carpenter horror classic |
| Platoon | 1986 | King | Oliver Stone’s Oscar-winning Vietnam War drama |
| They Live | 1988 | Frank Armitage | Features legendary 5-minute alley fight sequence |
| Dead Presidents | 1995 | Kirby | Crime drama directed by the Hughes Brothers |
| Armageddon | 1998 | General Kimsey | Sci-fi blockbuster hit |
| Pitch Black | 2000 | Abu “Imam” al-Walid | Sci-fi action introducing the Riddick series |
| Requiem for a Dream | 2000 | Big Tim | Acclaimed Darren Aronofsky psychological drama |
| The Princess and the Frog | 2009 | Dr. Facilier (Voice) | Disney animated classic; iconic villain song |
| Cloud Atlas | 2012 | Kupaka / Joe / Ankor | Sci-fi epic directed by the Wachowskis |
| Mufasa: The Lion King | 2024 | Masego (Voice) | Disney prequel adventure |
Keith David Net Worth
Accumulated through more than four decades of continuous stage work, studio films, television main roles, high-profile voice work, and audio narration, the estimated Keith David net worth sits at $5 million.
In addition to acting, David is an accomplished jazz singer who frequently performs live cabaret and tribute concerts to legendary musicians like Nat King Cole.
Family
The Keith David family is rooted in faith, artistic appreciation, and mutual support:
- Parents: Son of the late Lester Williams and Dolores Dickenson Williams.
- Children: Father of three children, son Owen (from his first marriage) and daughters Ruby and Mae Lea (from his second marriage).
- Faith & Philosophy: While David does not consider himself dogmatic, he frequently speaks openly about his deep spiritual belief in God, attributing his longevity and success to divine grace.
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Relationships & Marriages
David’s personal life includes two long-term marriages.
Keith David and Margit Edwards Williams
In September 1990, Keith David married his first wife, Margit Edwards. The couple welcomed a son, Owen Williams. After nearly a decade together, Keith David and Margit Edwards Williams divorced amicably in 1999.
Dionne Lea Williams
In 2000, David met actress and singer Dionne Lea Williams. The pair hit it off quickly and married in an intimate ceremony in April 2001. Together, Keith David and Dionne Lea Williams have shared over 25 years of marriage and raised two daughters, Ruby and Mae Lea. The couple frequently attends red carpets and industry events together, openly supporting each other’s creative projects.
Controversies
Throughout his legendary 45-year career, Keith David has had essentially no controversies. David is widely revered across Hollywood as one of the most professional, warm, and gracious performers in the industry.
The only minor public chatter surrounding his name usually stems from passionate voice-acting fandoms, such as when fans discuss voice recasting decisions in major video game franchises (like Halo or Destiny) or when he endorsed author Marianne Williamson during the 2024 Democratic primary. In every instance, David handles fan interactions and media inquiries with trademark dignity and good humor.
Now
If you’re wondering what Keith David is up to now, the legendary actor is as in-demand as ever.
In addition to voicing key animated roles in series like Rick and Morty and Hazbin Hotel, he continues to feature in major cinematic releases such as Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King, horror thrillers like Shelby Oaks, and upcoming feature projects including Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice. When he isn’t on a filming set or in a recording booth, David can be found performing live musical sets and spending quality time with his family in Los Angeles.
Conclusion
Keith David’s biography is an inspiring testament to discipline, classical training, and timeless talent. From stepping onto the Juilliard stage as a young man to lending his undeniable voice to cinema’s most memorable characters, he remains an absolute treasure of American film and theater.
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