David Fitzgerald Doyle was born on December 1, 1929, in Lincoln, Nebraska, to Mary Ruth Fitzgerald and Lewis Raymond (Lum) Doyle, a prominent Lincoln attorney. His maternal grandfather, John Fitzgerald, was a well-known banker and railroad builder in Nebraska, and his paternal grandfather, T. J. Doyle, was also an attorney.
David was one of three children, including brother John, an attorney, and sister Mary, an actress. He grew up in Lincoln and attended Cathedral grade school before moving to Campion, a Jesuit prep school in Wisconsin. He made his acting debut at the age of six and played children's roles in local productions.
David was a member of the Community Theater in Lincoln and appeared in the 1947 production of "Life with Father." He entered the University of Nebraska in 1945, where he was expected to follow in the footsteps of his ancestors and become a lawyer. However, he preferred to spend his time in the theater department and eventually chose acting over a career in law.
David's college buddy, Johnny Carson, was also a classmate at the University of Nebraska. Doyle appeared frequently on Carson's late-night talk show during the 1960s. Despite ranking sixth in the state on his law school entrance exams, David chose to pursue a career in acting.
He got his big break in 1956 when he replaced Walter Matthau in the Broadway production of "Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?" (1957). David's first wife, Rachel, died in 1968 after suffering injuries in a freak fall from a stairway. The following year, he met his second wife, Anne Nathan, while performing in a revival of "South Pacific."
After Broadway, David moved to California and was cast as Walt Fitzgerald in the television series "Bridget Loves Bernie" (1972). He went on to play a string of character roles and is probably best remembered for his portrayal of the lovable private detective, Bosley, on the popular television series "Charlie's Angels" (1976).
David also appeared as an attorney, Ted Holmes, on the daytime soap opera "General Hospital" (1963) during 1986. He was known for his distinctive, raspy voice, which earned him voice roles in several animated series and movies.
David Fitzgerald Doyle passed away on February 26, 1997, at the age of 67, due to a heart attack in Los Angeles.
