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David Naughton

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David Naughton
Naughton at Nightmare Weekend Richmond in 2023
Born
David Walsh Naughton

(1951-02-13) February 13, 1951 (age 73)
West Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
Alma mater
Occupation(s)Actor, singer
Years active1974–present
Spouses
  • Denise Stephens
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1976; div. 1983)​
  • Deborah Dutton
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1985; div. 2005)​
  • Seann Sara Sella
    ​
    ​
    (m. 2007; div. 2009)​
  • Cheryl L Naughton
    ​
    (m. 2019)​
Children2
RelativesJames Naughton (brother)

David Walsh Naughton (born February 13, 1951)[1] is an American actor and singer. He is 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.[2]

Early life

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Naughton was born on February 13, 1951, in West Hartford, Connecticut,[1] 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.[3]

Naughton attended the University of Pennsylvania[4] and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.[5] He earned a soccer scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania where he studied drama and graduated in 1973.[6] He then moved to London to further his acting training.[6] After two years in London, he moved to New York where he worked as a waiter and pursued his acting career.[6]

Career

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Naughton's professional acting debut was in the New York Shakespeare Festival's production of Hamlet starring Sam Waterston.[6][7] Naughton subsequently found steady work in various other local theater productions.[6] He was an Assistant Stage Manager and Understudy for the Broadway production of Hugh Leonard's Da.[8]

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.[9] The commercials were considered creative and wildly popular.[6] They involved Naughton dancing and singing in a Broadway musical style while handing out bottles of the beverage to people who then followed his lead Pied Piper style.[6] The commercials won numerous Clio awards, and involved a multitude of celebrities from Mickey Rooney and Jimmie Walker to Fred Flintstone and Popeye.[7]

By 1981, Naughton was at the height of his success as a soft drink spokesperson, but he wanted to try other ventures and decided to end his role in the commercials.[7] Though the main commercial stint ended in 1981, Naughton occasionally returned to the pitchman role for the soft drink. In 1988, he did a commercial for Diet Dr. Pepper that was reminiscent of the earlier commercials.[7] In 2010, Naughton joined a flash mob singing the iconic jingle at the New York Stock Exchange.[7]

His popularity from the commercials led to him being cast as the star of the sitcom Makin' It.[6] In 1979, he also recorded the show's theme song, Billboard, which was also titled "Makin' It."[1][7] A US million selling disc, the track also peaked at No. 44 in the UK Singles Chart.[10] The sitcom itself was less successful and lasted only 9 episodes, but his career continued to blossom. The next year, he starred in his first film, the Disney comedy Midnight Madness (1980).

That lead role then led to a starring role in a higher profile film: An American Werewolf in London (1981). The firm was directed by John Landis, who had already made a name for himself with National Lampoon's Animal House (1978) and the Blues Brothers (1980). An American Werewolf in London was a comedy-horror film whose special effects and make-up (used to show the werewolf metamorphosis) were particularly innovative for their time.[11] Rick Baker's make-up work won the inaugural Academy Award for Best Make-up.[11] The film was a critical and box office hit.[12]

After the success of An American Werewolf in London, Naughton continued to work steadily, but never regained the same level of success. He appeared in various lesser known movies, as well as smaller roles in numerous episodes of television shows including MacGyver, Melrose Place, Murder, She Wrote, JAG, and Seinfeld.

From 1986-1988, Naughton had a reoccurring role on My Sister Sam as the goofy ex-boyfriend of the series' main character, which was played by Pam Dawber. Naughton appeared in 19 episodes.[13] The series had a strong first season, but was cancelled due to low ratings in its second season.[14] The following year, the series co-star, Rebecca Schaefer, was murdered at her apartment by a stalker who had pursued her for three years.[14] In the wake of the tragedy, several actors from the sitcom including Naughton did a PSA to raise awareness of handgun violence.[15]

Personal life

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Naughton has been married four times and divorced three times. In 2008, he was arrested for domestic violence in Henderson, Nevada.[6] According to police reports, five months into their marriage, Naughton and his third wife, Seann Sara Sella, were arguing when he "grabbed her arm and threw her around."[6] When his wife threatened to call police, Naughton “grabbed the phone out of her hand.”[16] He then left the scene before police arrived, but was later arrested for investigation of domestic battery.[16] His wife suffered minor injuries.[16] He was sentenced to serve 30 days in jail, but 28 of those days were suspended after he pled no contest in court.[16]

Filmography

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Film

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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 Gardener
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[17]
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

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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"[17]
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

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Year Title Role Notes
2005 Marc Eckō's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure Manfred [17]
2006 Marvel Ultimate Alliance Mister Fantastic [17]
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

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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

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  1. ^ a b c Larkin, Colin, ed. (December 1995). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (Second ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 2993. ISBN 978-1-5615-9176-3.
  2. ^ "Billboard Top 40 Hits (1979)". cyList.
  3. ^ "Actor's angels heaven-sent James Naughton has waited a lifetime for this 'breakout' role". Miami Herald. 3 June 1990. Retrieved 2014-10-14.
  4. ^ "David Naughton Biography". Yahoo! Movies. Archived from the original on August 24, 2010.
  5. ^ Reilly, Sue (28 September 1981). "David Naughton Trades Dr Pepper for London Moonshine". People. Retrieved 2014-10-14.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "David Naughton". prod.tcm.com. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
  7. ^ a b c d e f "David Naughton revisits his classic Dr Pepper ads that featured Mickey Rooney and Jimmie Walker: 'You never know who's a Pepper out there'". Yahoo Entertainment. 2022-02-08. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
  8. ^ "Da – Broadway Play – Original". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  9. ^ Auden, Sandy (2006). "Getting Naked: An American Werewolf in London Revealed -- An Interview with David Naughton". The SF Site.
  10. ^ Roberts, David (2004). British Hit Singles & Albums (17th Revised ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 389. ISBN 978-0-8511-2199-4. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  11. ^ a b "An American Werewolf in London". The Criterion Channel. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
  12. ^ Dwyer, Larry (2016-03-05). "Why We Love...An American Werewolf in London!". Horror News Network. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
  13. ^ "My Sister Sam". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
  14. ^ a b "Rebecca Schaeffer's co-star on 'My Sister Sam' says she was 'devastated' by her murder". ABC News. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
  15. ^ Rebecca Schaeffer Archives (2023-09-15). Pam Dawber - Good Morning America Interview on My Sister Sam PSA (August 1989, partial). Retrieved 2024-10-25 – via YouTube.
  16. ^ a b c d "Actor David Naughton Arrested for Domestic Violence". People.com. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
  17. ^ a b c d "David Naughton (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved October 4, 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
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