David, a Native American of the Miami and Peoria tribes, embarked on a notable academic journey in the early 1970s, teaching at the College of American Indian near Lawrence, Kansas. During this period, he was married to his fellow acting student, Lynna, for a few years. His acting career took off in the late 1970s when he landed the role of the Evil German Butler/Henchman on the now-defunct daytime soap opera "The Edge of Night", which he played from approximately 1979 to 1980.
As a graduate student pursuing a master's degree in Theater at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas, David honed his skills as a director. One of his most notable directing credits was the play "Indians" by Arthur Kopit, in which he cast 18-year-old Mandy Patinkin in three separate roles.
David was known for his quick wit and humor, often joking about his decision to grow a beard. He did so to defy the long-held myth that Native Americans were incapable of growing beards, and his wry sense of humor was a characteristic that endeared him to those who knew him.
