Television
After completing his acting training in New York, David returned to England in the 1950s. Television was in its infancy then: “I started my career here, as most actors did, in repertory, and then tv in the days when it was all live, and there was only one channel, the BBC.”
David in 'Danger Man' 1965
Live television could be a nerve-wracking business for actors who often had to tear from one set to another to make entrances on time. It is difficult to imagine now how basic the technology was then or what pressure it put upon the performers of the day.
David served an apprenticeship in many early tv series such as OSS, Dial 999 and Private Investigator, often taking on specialised character roles where his chameleon like ability to change his voice and appearance served him in good stead.
Later he was also to make a variety of guest appearances in character roles in well known tv shows like Danger Man, The Saint and The Avengers. He also featured in several cult children’s programmes such as Ace of Wands and Timeslip.
When The Boat Comes In
This landmark drama series starring James Bolam covered events in the thirties and forties including the Spanish Civil War.
David appeared in two of the four series where he demonstrated his versatility by playing two entirely different characters: Kaganov, a Russian Jewish revolutionary, and Morty Black, a Wall Street financier.
So Haunt Me
A very popular eighties sit-com starring the late and much missed Miriam Karlin, So Haunt Me was about a family who move into a new house that is haunted by the ghost of Yetta Feldman, a Jewish mother who was abandoned by her daughter (“Carole with an e”) and will haunt the house until she is reunited with her.
David played Mr Bloom, their lugubrious neighbour, a wonderful comic invention who can always be counted on to see the gloomy side of things.
Recent Television
Einstein’s Unfinished Symphony January 2005
This Horizon docudrama combined interviews and commentaries by Brian Cox with dramatised scenes about Einstein on his deathbed working on what he hoped would be his greatest work of all – a project that he hoped would unlock the mind of God.
After playing Elgar to critical approval, David’s portrayal of Einstein is equally detailed and convincing.
Hi David,
Could I ask who your agent is?
Many thanks.
Dear Dan just received your enquiry. My agent is David Daly Associates Tel 0207 384 1036
voice over agent SVMK 0207 434 0002
Hi David,
Thanks to the wonders of modern technology I find I can correspond with some of those involved in the television of my youth! How marvellous. You may be pleased to know I wrote this message whilst playing the Cham Cham episode of Thunderbirds in an adjacent media player window.
I always enjoyed the Parker character, particularly his backstory (a little of which we’re treated to along with the character’s slightly more devious side!) – this is one of my favourite episodes partially because he gets some great comedic moments and solo screen time. Floating to earth on a brolly…!
It’s great to finally know who the voice behind the on-screen character was; a child of the 80s, I was first introduced to Thunderbirds via BBC2′s repeats in the 90s (watching religiously on a Thursday) and subsequently collecting all the episodes on VHS and, more recently, DVD.
Anyway, thanks for lending your not inconsiderable voice acting talents to the characters you brought to life on Thunderbirds, Brains was another of my favourite characters! Most probably because he’s a total glasses-wearing nerd, just like me.
I still watch and enjoy Thunderbirds more than twenty years after my first introduction to the programme, and on behalf of all who still enjoy it, many thanks!
Cheers
Chris
Dear Chris Thanks for remarks on my efforts to entertain and sorry for the belated reply.
Best wishes David Graham
Dear David,
I echo many of the sentiments noted by other people elsewhere, your talent is so amazing i always loved Thunderbirds and Stingray, Captain Scarlet et al.
When i was around 4 i got whooping cough and a bit of a fever and i called my mum Lady Penelope and she called me Parker..I wore larger glasses and some called me Brains because I was rather too smart for my own boots. In my heart Hyram Hackenbacker still resides….
Must find DVD’s for Thunderbirds et al…my daughter who is 5 likes Thunderbirds esp episode 1!!
Best Wishes for the future,
Philip Cupid & Family
Dear David,
Please forgive me forgot to Wish u a Merry Xmas, and my daughter thinks The Wise Old Elf is very great ..
Dear David,
I had previously wrote a large message to you but i don’t know it somehow vanished.
My childhood memory of Thunderbirds was Parker and when I was ill I kept on saying “Yes Milady” and my mum kept on saying “Yes Parker” for about 5 hrs at least until my fever passed, but my no1 hero was Brains – Hyram Hackenbacker I presume i wore glasses that were fat .
May you give everyone so much joy Mr Hackenbacker – Merry Xmas, with a prosperous New Year from Philip Cupid and family…
Dear Philip Many thanks for your message and warm words about my work. it gives me great pleasure that I appear to have made many fans during a long career. Best wishes for the festive season to you and your family.
David
Hi David,
Lovely to find you have a website. Just wanted to say that I have a great memory of meeting you on the ‘Casualty’ TV set in Bristol several years back. We have a great conversation about the whole Gerry Anderson/THunderbirds years which was great fun. You then recorded a spoof Parker piece to an audio recorder I had, which was very kind of you. Unfortunately I have since lost it which I regret as friends thought it was fantastic. Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks! You’re a proper gent!
All the best
Jim Petter
Dear Jim Thanks for your message. Last Friday I attended the funeral of Gerry Anderson with whom I had a long and successful working relationship. A sad day. Hope that all is well with you.
Best wishes David
Hi David, we loved you as grandad pig and the wise old elf.
From Jessica and jasmine aged 6 and 7
Dear Jessica and Jasmine So glad that you like my voices as grandad pig and the wise old elf.
You made my day. Happy viewing!
Best wishes from David Graham
Dear David,
If asked, would you consider working on the new Thunderbirds project? I’ve really enjoyed your work, thank you!
Kind regards,
John Berry from Blackburn, Lancashire.
Dear John Thanks for your enquiry. I have been asked to work on the new Thunderbirds series and have accepted the offer. Recording begins towards the end of July.
Best wishes David