- Born
- Died
- Birth nameDavid Quentin Gale
- Height6′ 1½″ (1.87 m)
- Tall, thin and distinguished character actor David Quentin Gale was born on October 2, 1936 in Wimbledon, England. David Gale began his acting career on the New York stage in the late 50s. He first started acting in both movies and television in the early 70s. With his gaunt face, lean build, and intense and imposing screen presence, David was usually cast as extremely wicked and hateful villains. Gale achieved his greatest enduring cult cinema popularity with his marvelously robust and inspired portrayal of the icy, ruthless, and arrogant mad scientist Dr. Carl Hill in Stuart Gordon's terrific horror splatter gem Re-Animator (1985). He reprised this part in the enjoyable sequel Bride of Re-Animator (1990). David's other memorable roles include demented pop psychologist TV show host Dr. Anthony Blakely in The Brain (1988), at his deliriously wired and wacky best as batty CEO Carter Brown in Syngenor (1990), and evil corporate head Fulton Balcus in Guyver (1991). Gale had recurring parts on the TV shows The Secret Storm (1954), The Edge of Night (1956), One Life to Live (1968), and Search for Tomorrow (1951). Among the TV series he made guest appearances on episodes of are Kojak (1973), Ryan's Hope (1975), Hart to Hart (1979), The Dukes of Hazzard (1979), Tales from the Darkside (1983), L.A. Law (1986), Dallas (1978), and Knots Landing (1979). Moreover, David also had a lengthy and impressive stage career: He not only acted in Broadway stage productions of the classic plays "Of Mice and Men" and "Sweet Bird of Youth," but also acted in Off-Broadway stage productions of such plays as "Elizabeth the Queen," "Joe Egg," "The Trial," "Orpheus Descending," and "Anthony and Cleopatra." Gale was married and had a son. David died of complications from open-heart surgery on August 18, 1991, in Los Angeles, California.
- IMDb mini biography by: woodyanders
- SpousesSandra Jane Edmonds(December 28, 1963 - ?) (divorced, 1 child)Barbara Frances Gale (1 child)
- ChildrenMeighan GaleDerek Arthur Gale
- ParentsArthur Leslie GalePetronelle Serena Hechmer
- Before his untimely death, he was cast as the heavy in Ticks (1993). He was also working on a scripted entitled "The Hydra", where he would play an investigator looking into supernatural type things. As a way to bring his character, Dr. Carl Hill, back in Bride of Re-Animator (1990), he suggested that a large basket be shown with two mangled arms popping out and literally stitching a body back together.
- [on acting in horror films] I thoroughly enjoy the genre, and I intend to build up a body of work in it, especially with "Re-Animator" sequels. Every actor has a ham in him, and you can't overdo it with characters like Dr. Hill and Carter Brown. But I don't want to be so over the top that I can't be captured on film. I've made that mistake, and have ended up cringing at some of my acting. Though I admire such performers as Christopher Lee and Vincent Price, I can't compare myself to any of them. I just try to do the best job I can. Sometimes, I still get the urge for audiences to see my empathetic side. Every actor wants that, since the applause is what it's all about.
- [on being typecast as villains] There's a presence I bring with me to the set, and one of the reasons I don't do a lot of mainstream work is because I'm too much of a character, and I can't do anything about that unless a plastic surgeon cuts my chin off! I am who I am, and that's a powerful statement.
- Theater is an ensemble effort, with all these creative minds involved. On a normal film, a director usually tells you to move to a position without explaining the motivation involved.
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