David Naughton
David Walsh Naughton (born February 13, 1951) is an American actor and singer known for his starring roles in the horror film An American Werewolf in London (1981) and the Disney comedy Midnight Madness (1980), as well as for a long-running Be a Pepper ad campaign for beverage maker Dr Pepper.
He also starred in the short-lived sitcom Makin' It and sang its hit theme song "Makin' It", giving him a Top 5 hit on the Billboard charts.
David Naughton | |
|---|---|
 Naughton at Nightmare Weekend Richmond in 2023 | |
| Born | David Walsh Naughton February 13, 1951 |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, singer |
| Years active | 1974–present |
| Spouses |
|
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | James Naughton (brother) |
Early life
Naughton was born in West Hartford, Connecticut, United States, the son of Rosemary (née Walsh) and Joseph Naughton, both of whom were teachers. He is the younger of two boys; his older brother is theater and film actor James Naughton. His family is Irish-American. Naughton attended the University of Pennsylvania and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Naughton was an Assistant Stage Manager and Understudy for the Broadway production of Hugh Leonard's Da.
Career
Naughton first became widely known as a result of his four-year stint (1977–1981) singing and dancing in television commercials and personal appearances to promote Dr Pepper. He starred in the sitcom Makin' It, and hit the Billboard Top Ten in 1979 with the sitcom's theme song, also titled "Makin' It." A US million selling disc, the track also peaked at No. 44 in the UK Singles Chart.
He starred in the Disney comedy Midnight Madness (1980) followed by his lead role in the Academy Award-winning horror film An American Werewolf in London (1981) directed by John Landis. He also appeared in the television series My Sister Sam and also in episodes of MacGyver, Melrose Place, Murder, She Wrote, JAG and Seinfeld.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Midnight Madness | Adam Larson | |
| 1981 | Separate Ways | Jerry Lansing | |
| An American Werewolf in London | David Kessler | ||
| 1984 | Hot Dog…The Movie | Dan | |
| Not for Publication | Barry Denver | ||
| Terror in the Aisles | David Kessler | Archival footage | |
| 1986 | The Boy in Blue | Bill | |
| Separate Vacations | Richard Moore | ||
| 1987 | Kidnapped | Vince McCarthy | Director Howard Avedis |
| 1988 | Private Affairs | Mauro | |
| 1990 | The Sleeping Car | Jason McCree | |
| Overexposed | Phillip | ||
| 1991 | Steel and Lace | Dunn | |
| 1993 | Wild Cactus | Philip Marcus | |
| Amityville: A New Generation | Dick Cutler | Direct-to-video | |
| 1994 | Desert Steel | Zach | |
| Beanstalk | Mr. Ladd | ||
| Caribbean Kill | N/A | ||
| 1995 | Ice Cream Man | Martin Cassera | |
| The Adventures of Black Feather | Professeur Byrd | ||
| Mirror, Mirror III: The Voyeur | Detective Kobeck | ||
| 1996 | Urban Safari | Joe | |
| 2000 | Little Insect | Buzz | Voice |
| 2001 | A Crack in the Floor | EMT Driver | |
| Flying Virus | Dr. Stephen North | ||
| 2003 | Sky Blue | Commander Locke Dr. Noah | Voice, English dub |
| 2006 | Big Bad Wolf | Sheriff Ruben | |
| 2007 | Brutal Massacre: A Comedy | Harry Penderecki | |
| Hallows Point | Shopkeeper | ||
| 2009 | Little Hercules in 3-D | Dwayne Harr | |
| 2012 | A Thousand Cuts | Alan | |
| 2013 | Cool as Hell | Clark | |
| 2017 | Do It or Die | Herb Clough | |
| The Hatred | Walter | ||
| 2023 | Waking Nightmare | Dr. Doolin |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Planet of the Apes | Dr. Stole | Episode: "The Surgeon" |
| 1976 | Muggsy | Danny Atwater | Episode: "Hit and Run" |
| The Other Side of Victory | N/A | Television film | |
| 1979 | Makin' It | Billy Manucci | 9 episodes |
| 1982 | I, Desire | David Balsiger | Television film |
| 1983 | The Love Boat | Edwin Winnaker | Episode: "Fountain of Youth/Bad Luck Cabin/Uncle Daddy" |
| At Ease | Pfc. Tony Baker | 14 episodes | |
| 1984 | Getting Physical | Mickey Ritter | Television film |
| 1986–1988 | My Sister Sam | Jack Kincaid | 44 episodes |
| 1988 | Goddess of Love | Ted Beckman | Television film |
| Murder, She Wrote | Ken Parrish | Episode: "Wearing of the Green" | |
| 1989 | The Twilight Zone | John Sellig | Episode: "Special Service" |
| 1991 | The Belles of Bleeker Street | Chris | Episode: "Pilot" |
| MacGyver | LaManna | Episode: "Honest Abe" | |
| Seinfeld | Dick | Episode: "The Red Dot" | |
| 1993 | Body Bags | Pete | Television film ("The Gas Station" segment) |
| Basic Values: Sex, Shock & Censorship in the 90's | Brad | Television film | |
| 1994 | Diagnosis: Murder | Harry Gelson | Episode: "My Four Husbands" |
| 1994–1995 | Turbocharged Thunderbirds | Scott Tracy, Virgil Tracy, additional voices | Voice |
| 1996 | Melrose Place | Lou Chandler | Episode: "Run, Billy, Run" |
| Touched by an Angel | Michael Russell | Episode: "Birthmarks" | |
| Bailey Kipper's P.O.V. | Norm Kipper | 2 episodes | |
| 1997 | Cybill | Andy | 2 episodes |
| 1998 | Chance of a Lifetime | Art Haber | Television film |
| Silk Stalkings | Max Behring | Episode: "Ramone, P.I." | |
| 1999 | V.I.P. | Roy | Episode: "K-Val" |
| Chicken Soup for the Soul | Paul Dinsman | Episode: "It's Never Too Late" | |
| 2000, 2001 | JAG | Det. Grady | 2 episodes |
| 2001 | ER | Ben Stevens | Episode: "Thy Will Be Done" |
| Kate Brasher | Ames | Episode: "Tracy" | |
| Out of the Wilderness | Professor Byrd | Television film | |
| The Nightmare Room | Mr. Ryan | Episode: "Tangled Web" | |
| 2002 | Justice League | The Streak | Voice, episode: "Legends" |
| 2005 | Higglytown Heroes | Orchestra Conductor Hero | Voice, episode: "Higgly Harmonies" |
| Mystery Woman: Sing Me a Murder | Steven | Television film | |
| 2009 | Psych | Dr. Ken Tucker | Episode: "Let's Get Hairy" |
| 2010 | Big Love | Mr. Usher | Episode: "Next Ticket Out" |
| 2011 | The Mentalist | Neurologist | Episode: "Fugue in Red" |
| 2012 | Major Crimes | State Senator McAustin | Episode: "The Shame Game" |
| 2013 | Grey's Anatomy | Nick Parker | Episode: "Transplant Wasteland" |
| 2013–2015 | Granite Flats | Dr. Millard Whittison | 23 episodes |
| 2013 | Holliston | Mark Ward | Episode: "Joe's Soda" |
| 2015 | American Horror Story | Mr. Samuels | Episode: "Mommy" |
| 2017 | Sharknado 5: Global Swarming | Ambassador Kessler | Television film |
| 2018 | SuperMansion | Himself | Voice, episode: "Comicarnage" |
Video games
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Marc Eckō's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure | Manfred | |
| 2006 | Marvel Ultimate Alliance | Mr. Fantastic | |
| 2016 | Fallout 4: WRVR | Traveler | |
| 2017 | Saga of the Nine Worlds | Guard Captain | The Four Stags Collector's Edition |
| 2018 | Project Pro Skater | God |
Theatre
| Year | Title | Role | Location | Other work/notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975–1976 | Hamlet | Francisco Player Queen Ensemble | Vivian Beaumont Theater | Understudy for Osric |
| 1978–1980 | Da | Morosco Theatre | Assistant Stage Manager Understudy for Young Charlie |
References
External links
- David Naughton at IMDb
- David Naughton at the Internet Broadway Database
- David Naughton at the Internet Off-Broadway Database
- David Naughton at the TCM Movie Database
- David Naughton at AllMovie
- David Naughton at AllMusic
- "David Naughton at The Official John Carpenter website". 2001. Archived from the original on May 13, 2001.
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