David Preston was born in Santa Monica, California, and spent his formative years in Hollywood, California. As a rebellious individual, he naturally gravitated towards the surf and skate culture of the late 1970s, which profoundly influenced his artistic and creative endeavors. After graduating from Fairfax High School, his father, a veteran film publicist, introduced him to acting teacher Nina Foch, with whom he discovered his passion for the craft. He went on to study with renowned instructors such as Peggy Feury, William Traylor, Howard Fine, Arlene Golonka, and Jeffrey Marcus.
David's television career began with an appearance on The New Gidget in 1986, where he played the character Murph the Surf, perpetually obsessed with surfing. He has since made notable guest appearances on various television shows, including Hawaii Five-0, Magnum P.I., The Rookie, Stormageddon, and Max Headroom, among others. His film credits include appearances opposite James Woods in The Boost, Lucy Liu in Bang, and Jeremy in Higher Power, among others.
On stage, David has delivered memorable performances in productions such as To Kill A Mockingbird, Of Mice And Men, All The King's Men, Romeo & Juliet, Rant Part Deux, and Coronado, earning praise from critics for his portrayal of Bob Ewell and SS Colonel Josef Meisinger. His haunting performance as Meisinger was particularly notable, as reviewer Joe Straw described his work as "exceptional" and bringing a "dark presence" to the character.
David has also appeared in numerous short films, playing a diverse range of characters, including Jake, a father struggling to reconnect with his daughter in Nightfall; a jaded E.M.T. in the thriller Ambulance; Teddy, a reclusive trophy hunter in The Big Five; Conor, a terminally-ill individual determined to die with dignity in Tidelands; and Elio Rossi, an Italian mobster with a secret in the dark comedy Made.
