| David Downing | |
| Birth Date: | July 21, 1943 |
| Birth Place: | New York, New York |
| Death Date: | November 1, 2017 (aged 74) |
| Death Place: | Los Angeles, California |
| Nationality: | American |
| Occupation: | Actor |
David Downing was an American stage, film, and television actor. He was one of the original members of the Negro Ensemble Company in New York City.[1] [2] [3]
Downing, a native of Harlem, New York City, attended the High School of Performing Arts.[4] As a child actor, he made his professional debut on Broadway in The Green Pastures. He served a tour of duty with the U.S. Armed Forces in Okinawa.
As part of the Negro Ensemble Company in the 1960s and 70s, Downing appeared in productions including the Obie Award-winning musical The Great MacDaddy,[5] [6] and the successful play Ceremonies in Dark Old Men.[7] [8] [9] Downing later appeared in the Pulitzer Prize-nominated play, Miss Evers' Boys.[10] [11] [12]
Downing appeared in films, including Gordon's War,[13] and numerous television shows, including The Jeffersons, Baretta,[14] Backstairs at the White House,[15] [16] and Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.[17]
Downing died in Los Angeles on November 1, 2017, at the age of 74.[18]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up to Me | Heff | ||
| 1972 | Up the Sandbox | John | ||
| 1973 | Gordon's War | Otis Russell | ||
| 1978 | Coming Attractions | 'Dark Town' Singer | ||
| 1989 | Listen to Me | Officer of the Court | ||
| 2006 | Circus Camp | Jamaica Joe |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | The Bernie Mac Show | Father | Episode: Prison Break | |
| 1998 | JAG | Chaplain | Episode: With Intent to Die | |
| 1992-1993 | Roc | Dr. Brown / Uncle Warren | Two episodes | |
| 1991 | Cast a Deadly Spell | Thadius Pilgrim | TV movie | |
| 1990-1991 | The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air | Reverend White / Presenter | Two episodes | |
| 1989 | 227 | Father Gabbay / Walter | Two episodes | |
| 1988 | Meet the Raisins! | Red | Voice, TV special | |
| 1987 | Designing Women | Sam | Episode: Anthony Jr. | |
| 1983 | Hill Street Blues | Chester David | Episode: Moon Over Uranus: The Sequel | |
| 1982 | Father Murphy | Marcus Washington | Episode: The Dream Day | |
| 1979-1982 | The Jeffersons | Edgar Thornton / Albert Fox | Three episodes | |
| 1979 | Backstairs at the White House | Butler Dixon | TV miniseries | |
| 1978 | Bert Williams | TV movie | ||
| 1977 | Little House on the Prairie | Jackson Henry | Episode: The Wisdom of Solomon | |
| 1977 | What's Happening!! | Mr. Barnes | Episode: The Firing Squad | |
| 1976 | All in the Family | John Kasten | Episode: Mike's Move | |
| 1976 | Baretta | Sully | Episode: Count the Days I'm Gone | |
| 1975 | That's My Mama | Quincy | Episode: Queen of the Ribs | |
| 1975 | Movin' On | Lee Andrews | Episode: ...To Be in Carolina |