You might not know when you’ve seen him, but you’ll definitely know when you’ve heard him. Keith David is one of the most talented genre and voice actors working today, with an astounding resume that spans across four decades. There is no shortage to the genres that David will attach himself to, from animated Disney comedies to the soul-crushing epics of Darren Aronofsky. He has also taken prominent voice-over roles in several video game franchises, such as Halo and Call of Duty. David’s versatility and the unique humanity that he brings to every role reminds us, once again, to never underestimate the power of voice or supporting actors. Here are our picks for some of the best Keith David performances, ranked.
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8 There’s Something About Mary (1998)
20th Century Fox
David might be one of the greatest genre actors of his generation - and that genre is not necessarily romantic comedies. However, perhaps this is what makes his performance in There’s Something About Mary even more show-stopping, while against the likes of Ben Stiller and Cameron Diaz. As Mary’s stepfather Charlie, David delivers some of the most memorable lines of the film, including the iconic inquiry from the opening scene: “Is it the frank or the beans?” David is always on point with his comedic delivery of these types of lines, never going too far over the top into caricature and, as a result, imbuing his character with a real sense of warmth that is vital to the overall trajectory of the film.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
7 Platoon (1986)
Orion Pictures
Starring alongside Charlie Sheen, Willem Dafoe, and Tom Berenger, to name a few, David certainly had no easy competition with Oliver Stone’s Platoon. However, his role as King is an integral one to both the film’s plot and the general dynamic of the group. It’s hard to predict what sort of straits Sheen’s character would have found himself in were it not for the fraternal guidance of King, who also seems to serve as one of the most morally driven characters of the film. Once again, David does not feel as though he’s putting on any airs, and we come to genuinely admire King as a character and hope for his survival, even if he is but one of many charismatic forces. King’s goodbye scene is easily one of the most emotional ones throughout the film.
6 Coraline (2009)
Focus Features
David’s voice work as the Cat, Coraline’s sarcastic companion and spiritual guide of sorts, is one of the many things that makes Henry Selick’s film so incomparable. The difficulty of such a role should not go underestimated, as the basis of the Cat’s existence is given no real explanation throughout Coraline, as he wanders between the real world and Other world. David’s proclivity for darker characters really shines here, but he is also able to give the Cat an important degree of humanity, which is much needed for this otherwise brooding film.
5 Rick & Morty (2013)
Warner Bros. Television Entertainment
The President is arguably one of the best recurring characters throughout Rick & Morty, seamlessly turning from a one-episode joke into an entire extended persona. David plays the role of the clueless and endlessly arrogant politician pitch-perfectly, without ever making him too boring or predictable. Much the opposite, David inserts his own idiosyncrasies into every line delivery, such as when he emotionally declares that he “wants a ps5.” David is extremely adaptable in the face of the truly bizarre adventures the President endures, and his fates in all of them become a highlight of the series.
4 They Live (1988)
Universal Pictures
David might be most remembered in They Live for participating in one of the most iconic fight scenes of all time, which is six minutes long and contains some of the best lines ever uttered in cinema, but his overall performance should not be overlooked throughout the film. David plays Frank, a construction worker whom Roddey Piper’s Nada befriends, and comes to live in a shantytown with. David finds the perfect mix between toughness and sensitivity for this role, and his character is often one of the few things that segments viewers back to reality. David spoke on the significance of Frank’s character and his real-world situation “Any one of us in this country, given a serious illness or extended layoff, could become homeless,” he said - it is easy to see how much David took the character to heart.
3 The Princess and the Frog (2009)
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Thanks in no small part to David, Dr. Facilier is one of the most memorable, if underrated, Disney villains in recent history. He is a little man with big power, constantly trying to manipulate others while still grappling with all the debt he owes his “friends” on the other side. Such a nuanced, multifaceted villain is rarely seen or explored so thoughtfully throughout Disney movies, and David tends to the many facets of Facilier’s character with the perfect amounts of insecurity and charisma. He also did the singing for the iconic song “Friends On the Other Side,” with such energy and smoothness that it’s hard not to get it stuck in your head for days.
2 Todd McFarlane’s Spawn (1997)
Warner Bros.
Brimming with philosophical themes and an endless supply of violence, Spawn was easily one of the best and most unique comic book cartoons of the nineties. Besides the creative ingenuity of Todd McFarlane, David’s performance as the title character, an ex-CIA operative who’s made a deal with the devil, is what really drove the series to such extraordinary heights. It’s virtually impossible not to associate the show, and its many reprisals in video game form, with the actor; David’s low, threatening voice is perfect for the character and definitely sends shivers down the viewer’s spine whenever he happens to be double-crossed by some unlucky fellow.
1 The Thing (1982)
David’s character, Childs, is a formidable opponent to Kurt Russell’s Macready in The Thing. While part of what makes the John Carpenter classic so memorable is its ensemble cast, David’s character stands out in particular for his hot temper and quick thinking, and, ultimately, as one of the only characters who makes it out alive by the end of the film. Despite the fact that The Thing was his first big film, David immediately grabs our attention in whatever scene he’s in with his gripping delivery and natural charisma. His presence in the last scene alone, in which he and Russell are left stranded, paranoid, and in the throes of death, is powerful enough to stand on its own.
