David Keir Gracie was born in 1884 in the St Andrews district of Dundee, Scotland, a city with a rich history and cultural heritage. As a teenager, he left his hometown to pursue his passion for the glove trade and join his family's business in London. However, he soon abandoned this path and instead chose a more unconventional career, taking to the stage as a hoofer in vaudeville and later as an actor. To avoid bringing shame to his otherwise respectable family, he adopted his middle name and became known as David Keir.
Throughout his career, Keir toured extensively, performing in repertory productions across the United States, Africa, India, and China. He also appeared in numerous films, with over 70 credits to his name, including A.J. Cronin's Hatter's Castle in 1942, alongside Robert Newton. Despite his small stature and advanced age when he began his film career, Keir was undeterred and continued to work in the industry, albeit with mostly minor roles.
In his later years, Keir transitioned to television, making appearances on various shows. He lived alone in Holborn, London, until his passing in 1971.
