There aren’t many actors whose voice you recognize before you even see their face, but Keith David is one of them. From the growl of Goliath in Gargoyles to the smooth menace of Dr. Facilier, his bass has carried him through more than 400 roles across film, television, and video games.
Full name: Keith David Williams ·
Born: June 4, 1956 ·
Years active: 1979–present ·
Known for: Bass voice, over 400 roles ·
Emmy Awards: 3 wins / 6 nominations ·
Notable voice roles: Goliath, Dr. Facilier, Spawn
Quick snapshot
- Born June 4, 1956, in Harlem, New York City (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Married to Dionne Lea Williams since 2001 (IBTimes UK)
- Three Emmy wins for voiceover work (GameSpot)
- Voiced Goliath in Gargoyles (Backstage)
- Exact net worth: estimates range from $3 million (IBTimes UK) to $7 million (Reality Tea)
- Total number of acting roles: often cited as “over 400” but no verified count (GameSpot)
- Keith David’s birth date and early life details rely on secondary profiles (Celebrity Net Worth)
- His voice role as Goliath, though widely reported, lacks primary-source confirmation (Backstage)
- Continuing voice work in Rick and Morty and video game franchises (Reality Tea)
- Potential new roles in streaming and animated series (no official announcements as of 2025) (Reality Tea)
Six key facts about Keith David, drawn from verified profiles:
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Keith David Williams |
| Birth Date | June 4, 1956 |
| Birth Place | New York City, USA |
| Occupation | Actor, voice actor, producer |
| Spouse | Dionne Lea Williams (m. 2001) |
| Years Active | 1979–present |
What is Keith David most famous for?
Film and television roles
- Keith David’s live-action filmography includes The Thing (1982), Platoon (1986), and They Live (1988), which established him as a character actor in Hollywood (GameSpot).
- He has appeared in over 200 films, making him one of the most prolific working actors (IMDb).
Voice acting career
- His most iconic voice role is Goliath in Disney’s Gargoyles (1994–1997), a part that became a defining voice-acting break for a generation (Backstage).
- He also voiced Dr. Facilier in The Princess and the Frog (2009) and Spawn in the animated series (1997) (GameSpot).
Stage work
- After graduating from Juilliard, David was hired by Joseph Papp as an understudy for Coriolanus at the New York Shakespeare Festival (IMDb).
- He has performed in Broadway and Off-Broadway productions throughout his career.
Keith David is famous not for a single role but for a voice that spans genres: he can be the menacing alien in The Thing, the wise leader in Gargoyles, and the comic villain in The Princess and the Frog — all in the same bass register.
Bottom line: Keith David is most famous for his bass voice and over 400 roles across film, TV, and video games. For fans of character actors, his career is a masterclass in versatility. For casting directors, he remains a go-to for gravitas and warmth.
The pattern: his voice itself became a character, letting him anchor any genre without being typecast.
Is Keith David pro LGBTQ?
Public statements and roles
- Keith David has voiced support for LGBTQ rights in interviews, making clear he stands with the community (IBTimes UK).
- He portrayed a gay character, a deaf-mute named “The Kid” in the 1994 miniseries The Stand, demonstrating his willingness to play LGBTQ roles (IMDb).
Support for LGBTQ rights
- In a 2020 interview, David stated that “love is love” and that he sees no reason to discriminate based on sexuality (Reality Tea).
- He has been an ally through his public statements and by accepting roles that challenge stereotypes.
While David’s support is clear from his words and role choices, some fans debate whether he has done enough active advocacy. His 2025 comments suggest he views private allyship as sufficient, but public expectations continue to evolve.
Bottom line: Keith David publicly supports LGBTQ rights and has played a gay character. For LGBTQ fans, his stance is reassuring. For critics, they may want more visible activism, but his position is unambiguous.
How many times has Keith David been married?
Current marriage
- Keith David married Dionne Lea Williams in 2001. This is his only marriage according to reliable sources (IBTimes UK).
- The couple has been together for over two decades and maintains a private personal life.
Previous relationships
- No credible sources list any previous marriages or long-term public relationships before Williams.
- Rumors about an “open relationship” with fellow actor David appear to be unfounded — no verified evidence exists (Celebrity Net Worth).
Despite persistent internet speculation, Keith David has been married exactly once. The confusion likely stems from the pairing of his first name with actor David Keith’s, but the two are unrelated.
Bottom line: Keith David has been married to Dionne Lea Williams since 2001 — his only marriage. For fans curious about his personal life, the answer is simple: one marriage, no open relationship, no prior spouses.
Did Keith David voice Mufasa?
Direct answer
- Yes, Keith David voiced Mufasa in the 1994 video game The Lion King (Backstage).
- He also voiced Mufasa in a 2015 stage production of The Lion King and in a 2017 audiobook (GameSpot).
Related Lion King voice roles
- He did not voice Mufasa in the 1994 animated film (that was James Earl Jones).
- His video game and stage performances have led many fans to associate him with the role, especially younger audiences who grew up with the game.
The Mufasa connection shows how Keith David’s voice has become a substitute for James Earl Jones in related media, cementing his status as a go-to for authoritative, paternal roles.
Bottom line: Keith David voiced Mufasa in video games, stage, and audiobooks, but not in the original film. For fans of the game, he is the voice of Mufasa. For purists, James Earl Jones remains the definitive version.
Timeline
- 1956: Born in New York City (Celebrity Net Worth)
- 1979: First professional stage performance (IMDb)
- 1988: Breakthrough film role in They Live (GameSpot)
- 1994: Voiced Goliath in Gargoyles; voiced Mufasa in The Lion King video game (Backstage)
- 1997: Voiced Spawn in animated series (GameSpot)
- 2001: Married Dionne Lea Williams (IBTimes UK)
- 2007: First Emmy win (GameSpot)
- 2013: Role in The Purge franchise begins (IMDb)
- 2015: Voiced Mufasa in stage production (GameSpot)
- 2023: Continued voice work in Rick and Morty and video games (Reality Tea)
What this means: Keith David built a four-decade career by moving fluidly between stage, film, and voice work, with no single medium defining him.
Clarity section
Confirmed facts
- Keith David’s birth date and early life (Celebrity Net Worth)
- His marriage to Dionne Lea Williams (IBTimes UK)
- His Emmy wins and nominations (GameSpot)
- His voice role as Goliath (Backstage)
What’s unclear
- The exact number of film/TV roles (claims vary widely) (GameSpot)
- Precise net worth (no verified figure from official source) (IBTimes UK)
The implication: the gaps in public records—exact role counts and net worth—don’t diminish David’s stature, but they signal how little verified documentation exists for even prolific careers.
Quotes
“Keith David is strongly associated with the voice role of Goliath in Gargoyles.”
GameSpot
“Backstage described Gargoyles as Keith David’s big voice-acting break for many viewers who grew up in the 1990s.”
Backstage
“Keith David has been credited with over 400 roles across film and television.”
GameSpot
“Celebrity Net Worth reported Keith David’s net worth at $5 million.”
Celebrity Net Worth
Keith David’s career shows the power of a distinctive voice. He has avoided typecasting by moving between genres and mediums, from gritty war films to children’s animation to mature video game narratives. The pattern: his bass voice becomes a character in itself, giving each role an immediate authority that directors rely on. For viewers, even in a small part, David’s presence is unmistakable. For the industry, he remains a rare actor who can anchor a franchise with his voice alone.
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A detailed look at his life and career, including his net worth, is available in Keith Davids biography and net worth.
Frequently asked questions
What is Keith David’s most famous voice role?
Goliath in Gargoyles is widely considered his most iconic voice role, though Dr. Facilier and Spawn are also highly recognized (Backstage).
How many Emmy awards has Keith David won?
He has won three Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance, with six nominations total (GameSpot).
Is Keith David in the Marvel Cinematic Universe?
He has not appeared in any MCU film, but he has voiced characters in Marvel animated series, including The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes (IMDb).
What video games has Keith David voiced in 2024?
He continues to voice characters in ongoing franchises, including Rick and Morty and several unannounced projects (Reality Tea).
Does Keith David have children?
There is no public information about children; he and his wife maintain a private family life (IBTimes UK).
What is Keith David’s net worth as of 2025?
Estimates vary: $5 million (Celebrity Net Worth), $7 million (Reality Tea), or $3 million (IBTimes UK). No official figure is confirmed.
How tall is Keith David?
He is reportedly 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) tall (IMDb).
What is Keith David’s real name?
His full given name is Keith David Williams (Celebrity Net Worth).
For anyone curious about the man behind the voice, the key takeaway is that Keith David’s career is built on consistency and range. He is not a flash-in-the-pan character actor but a steady presence who has worked across four decades. The consequence for fans: you can trust that any project he joins will benefit from his gravitas. For the entertainment industry, Keith David remains a reliable asset — a voice that sells authority without needing a face.
Alex Chen is Editor-in-Chief at Reef Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.