Biography

David Clayton-Thomas was born on September 13, 1941 in Kingston upon Thames, England, UK. He was an actor and composer, known for The Gray Man (2022), Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) and Licorice Pizza (2021). He was married to Suzanne Warren, Terry Nusyna, Nancy Hewitt and Jennifer Goodson. He died on June 24, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

One-time lead singer of Blood Sweat & Tears.

He dropped out of high school after ninth grade. He worked menial jobs, but was arrested for car theft, breaking and entering and vagrancy, and spent about four years in various Ontario reformatories. He started singing on the bar circuit, including gigs in New York City. Folksinger Judy Collins recommended him to Blood, Sweat & Tears, who were looking for a new vocalist.