Actor. Best remembered for playing Ben Stokes and Professor Timothy Stokes (among other characters) in the popular supernaturally themed serial "Dark Shadows" (1966 to 1971). Born David Thayer Hershey, he aspired to be a performer in the theatre after listening to an Orson Welles presentation on the radio while a child, and following graduation from Harvard University he co-founded the Brattle Theater Company in Cambridge. He initiated what was to become an extensive Broadway association with "The Relapse" (1950) and over the next two decades, he would appear in roughly one dozen plays including "A Man for All Seasons" (1961 to 1963). A burly man with a distinctive raspy voice, David was often cast in villainous roles, however he would display versatility when given the chance. Among his film credits include "Journey to the Center of the Earth" (1959), "Little Big Man" (1970), "Save the Tiger" (1973), "The Eiger Sanction" (1975) and "Rocky" (1976). Over the course of his career, he garnered a lengthy body of television work on dozens of popular programs. He had just completed the TV movie "Nero Wolfe" (1979, playing the title role) when he suffered a fatal heart attack. William Conrad would go on to star in the television series of the same title. David was formerly married to actress Valerie French.
Actor. Best remembered for playing Ben Stokes and Professor Timothy Stokes (among other characters) in the popular supernaturally themed serial "Dark Shadows" (1966 to 1971). Born David Thayer Hershey, he aspired to be a performer in the theatre after listening to an Orson Welles presentation on the radio while a child, and following graduation from Harvard University he co-founded the Brattle Theater Company in Cambridge. He initiated what was to become an extensive Broadway association with "The Relapse" (1950) and over the next two decades, he would appear in roughly one dozen plays including "A Man for All Seasons" (1961 to 1963). A burly man with a distinctive raspy voice, David was often cast in villainous roles, however he would display versatility when given the chance. Among his film credits include "Journey to the Center of the Earth" (1959), "Little Big Man" (1970), "Save the Tiger" (1973), "The Eiger Sanction" (1975) and "Rocky" (1976). Over the course of his career, he garnered a lengthy body of television work on dozens of popular programs. He had just completed the TV movie "Nero Wolfe" (1979, playing the title role) when he suffered a fatal heart attack. William Conrad would go on to star in the television series of the same title. David was formerly married to actress Valerie French.
Bio by: C.S.
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