Clifford David

Clifford David (June 30, 1928 – November 30, 2017) was an American actor, singer, and coach. His career began in the 1950s, with early live television appearances leading to roles in Broadway musicals. He also played character roles in television series, feature films, and theatre. Early life David was born in Toledo, Ohio, the youngest son of Farris and Lily (née Abdow). His uncle was Syrian Orthodox Metropolitan Samuel David of Toledo. Career A protégé of Lee Strasberg, David made his Broadway debut as Scipio in Albert Camus' Caligula directed by Sidney Lumet. He also played Pasquale in The Aspern Papers, directed by Margaret Webster, Antipholus in the 1963 Off-Broadway revival The Boys from Syracuse, Laertes in Joseph Papp's Hamlet, and Lord Byron in the Lincoln Center production of Tennessee Williams' Camino Real with Al Pacino. A member of the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences, Clifford's filmography includes Invitation to a Gunfighter (1964), Resurrection, and M. Night Shyamalan's Signs (2002). As an accomplished pianist, he was cast as Beethoven in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989).