Keith David Biography: Age, Parents, Awards, Siblings, Net Worth, Height, Ethnicity, Movies

Keith David, an iconic American actor and voice artist, is renowned for his commanding screen presence and deep, resonant voice.

With over 300 roles across film, television, stage, and video games, he has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry, starring in classics like Platoon (1986), The Thing (1982), and They Live (1988), and voicing beloved characters such as Dr. Facilier in The Princess and the Frog (2009).

Profile

• Full Name: Keith David Williams
• Stage Name: Keith David
• Born: June 4, 1956
• Age: 69 years old
• Birthplace: Harlem, New York City, New York, USA
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Actor, Voice Artist, Producer, Singer
• Height: 6’2” (1.88 m)
• Parents: Lester Williams and Dolores Dickenson
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Dionne Lea Williams
• Children: Ruby Williams, Maelea Williams, Owen Williams
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: USD 5 million

Early Life and Education

Keith David was born on June 4, 1956, in Harlem, New York City. He was raised in Corona, Queens, by his parents, Lester Williams, a director of payroll operations, and Dolores Dickenson, a manager at New York Telephone.

Though details about his siblings are not publicly available, his early exposure to the arts was nurtured through choir singing and school theater.

David attended Manhattan’s High School of Performing Arts, where he honed his craft. He later graduated from the Juilliard School’s Drama Division (Group 8, 1975–1979) with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1979.

His African-American heritage and New York upbringing instilled a resilience that fueled his ascent in Hollywood.

Career

Keith David’s career began in 1979 with an uncredited role in Disco Godfather, but his breakthrough came in 1982 as Childs in John Carpenter’s The Thing, opposite Kurt Russell.

That same year, he toured with John Houseman’s The Acting Company in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Waiting for Godot.

His stage work flourished, earning a Tony Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for Jelly’s Last Jam (1992) and the St. Clair Bayfield Award for Coriolanus (1989).

On film, he delivered memorable performances as King in Platoon (1986), Frank in They Live (1988), and roles in Men at Work (1990), Final Analysis (1992), Armageddon (1998), and American Fiction (2023).

His television credits include starring as Bishop James Greenleaf in Greenleaf (2016–2020), Elroy Patashnik in Community (2015), and recurring roles in The Cape (2010), Enlisted (2014), and Rick and Morty (2017–present) as the President.

David’s voice acting is equally prolific, voicing Goliath in Gargoyles (1994–1997), Dr. Facilier in The Princess and the Frog (2009), the Cat in Coraline (2009), and Commander Zavala in Destiny 2: The Final Shape (2024), replacing Lance Reddick.

He narrated Ken Burns’ documentaries, including Jazz (2001), The War (2007), and Muhammad Ali (2021), earning three Emmy Awards.

Other voice roles include the Arbiter in the Halo series, Spawn in Mortal Kombat, and Husk in Hazbin Hotel (2024). In 2025, he voiced Minos in Mufasa: The Lion King and starred in the Max series Duster, showcasing his enduring versatility.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @imkeithdavid
• Facebook Handle: Keith David
• Twitter Handle: @ImKeithDavid

Personal Life

Keith David, 69, a distinguished actor and voice artist, has been married to actress and singer Dionne Lea Williams since April 28, 2001. They have two daughters, Ruby Williams (born August 9, 2001) and Maelea Williams (born April 23, 2004).

Previously, he was married to Margit Edwards from September 22, 1990, until their divorce in 1999, with whom he has a son, Owen Williams.

A devoted family man, David credits his wife and children as a grounding force amid his demanding career.

Living primarily in Los Angeles, he is passionate about music, performing a cabaret act that features pop and jazz standards, as well as starring in a tribute to Nat King Cole.

Filmography

• Disco Godfather (1979) – Uncredited Role
• The Thing (1982) – Childs
• Platoon (1986) – King
• They Live (1988) – Frank
• Men at Work (1990) – Louis Fedders
• Final Analysis (1992) – Detective Huggins
• There’s Something About Mary (1998) – Charlie
• Armageddon (1998) – General Kimsey
• Where the Heart Is (2000) – Moses Whitecotton
• Requiem for a Dream (2000) – Big Tim
• Barbershop (2002) – Lester Wallace
• Crash (2004) – Lt. Dixon
• The Chronicles of Riddick (2004) – Imam
• The Princess and the Frog (2009) – Dr. Facilier (Voice)
• Coraline (2009) – The Cat (Voice)
• Cloud Atlas (2012) – Joe Napier
• Greenleaf (2016–2020) – Bishop James Greenleaf (TV)
• American Fiction (2023) – Willy the Wonker
• Mufasa: The Lion King (2024) – Minos (Voice)
• Duster (2025) – Ezra (TV)
• Gargoyles (1994–1997) – Goliath
• Spawn (1997–1999) – Spawn
• Halo 2 (2004) – Arbiter
• Adventure Time (2012–2017) – Flame King
• Rick and Morty (2017–present) – President Curtis
• Amphibia (2019–2022) – King Andrias
• Hazbin Hotel (2024) – Husk
• Destiny 2: The Final Shape (2024) – Commander Zavala
• Jazz (2001) – Narrator
• The War (2007) – Narrator
• Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson (2005) – Narrator
• Jackie Robinson (2016) – Narrator
• Muhammad Ali (2021) – Narrator

Net Worth

Keith David, a celebrated actor and voice artist, has an estimated net worth of USD 5 million.

His wealth is amassed through his extensive career in film (Platoon, American Fiction), television (Greenleaf, Community), and voice acting (Gargoyles, The Princess and the Frog, Halo).

Additional income comes from narrating Ken Burns’ documentaries, video game roles, and stage performances.