David Steen (actor)
David Steen, born on June 26, 1954 to Leroy and Martha (Burpie) Steen in Memphis, Tennessee is an actor and writer. He has one sibling, a sister, Susan Ford. Until early adulthood he lived in Memphis, graduating from Whitestation High School in 1972. He attended Lindenwood Christian Church.
As a child, David was passionate about playing drums and so at nine years old his parents purchased him a drum set. Beginning that year, on an unprofessional level, he played back-up to the vocals and guitar of a young teen-age friend named Kathy Bates. Bates would later win an Academy Award.
Steen is known for appearing in the Quentin Tarantino film, Django Unchained in the role of Mr. Stonesipher, an 1850s black slave tracker. Steen also starred opposite Beth Grant, Dale Dickey, and Oscar winner Octavia Spencer in the Del Shores dramatic festival film, Blues for Willadean. The film, an adaption of Shore’s The Trials and Tribulations of a Trailer Trash Housewife garnered critical acclaim during theatrical runs in New York and Los Angeles. Steen gives a chilling performance as the abusive husband, J.D. Winkler.
Steen co-wrote and produced and starred in the independent film The Corndog Man that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
Steen also had a series regular role as G. W. in Shore’s critically acclaimed cable series, Sordid Lives.
Steen began his acting career in Los Angeles with notable roles in the film Of Mice and Men and in Tarantino’s classic Reservoir Dogs.
As a writer, Steen gained the attention of the theater world with his first play, A Gift from Heaven.[1] The production opened to rave reviews and garnered a Critic’s Choice Pick from the Los Angeles Times as well as other honors including eleven Drama-Logue Awards. Once again Steen saw success as a playwright with his next stage play, Avenue A.[2] The production grabbed another Los Angeles Times Critic’s Choice Pick and opened to sold-out performances in Los Angeles, New York and Chicago. Steen also received the Ted Schmitt Award for Best New Play and the Featured Performance Award for his portrayal of the character Larry.
Steen was selected for the Los Angeles Times’ annual feature Faces To Watch, highlighting the works of a select few of Los Angeles’ up and coming entertainment artists.
Samuel French Publishing has since published both of Steen’s award-winning screenplays.
Steen created the role of J. D. in Shores’ hit play The Trials and Tribulations of a Trailer Trash Housewife for which he won an LA Weekly Award for Best Supporting Actor and an Ovation Award for Acting Ensemble.
David Steen continues his work as an actor and writer, dividing his time between Los Angeles and Palm Springs. Steen is married to actress, Bobbie Eakes.
References
- ↑ "Happy Ending for Drama". Los Angeles Times. June 25, 1993. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
- ↑ "Faces to Watch in '92". Los Angeles Times. January 1, 1992. Calendar section, p. 6.