David Roya's life is a fascinating blend of artistic expression and physical discipline. For over 50 years, he has been a devoted enthusiast of exercise and health food, and has even achieved a 4th Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and certification as a yoga instructor, trained in the ancient traditions of India.
Before his acting career took off, David honed his craft in college plays at Brooklyn College, and later did summer stock with the renowned actress Karen Black. He then transitioned to off-Broadway productions with Eli Mintz, a star of Yiddish theatre. At the age of 23, David made the bold move to relocate to Los Angeles to pursue his acting dreams.
David's early career was marked by a string of low-budget horror movies, but it was his role in Billy Jack (1971) that brought him to the attention of Tom Laughlin, a legendary actor and director. David's subsequent guest appearances on popular television shows of the 1970s, such as Mod Squad, Mission: Impossible, The Rookies, Cannon, Toma, The Smith Family, Black Sheep Squadron, and CHiPs, cemented his status as a versatile and talented actor.
Despite his success, David was determined to transcend his typecasting as a villain and become a "movie star". He began to turn down TV show offers, a decision that would ultimately hinder his career. However, Joyce Selznick, a well-respected casting director, saw great potential in David and gave him a small role in King Kong (1976) alongside Jessica Lange. Although most of his part was cut from the final film, Joyce's faith in him led to his casting in The White Buffalo (1977) with Charles Bronson and Clint Walker.
Despite Joyce's support, David's career continued to stall, and he was forced to make a difficult decision to move to New York City in 1981 to support his young family. He took up teaching in NYC, combining his passion for physical fitness with his love of acting, and also taught Tae Kwon Do and yoga. His children, Amber and Louis, brought him immense joy, and he continued to act sporadically, even landing a few guest spots on Law & Order in the 1990s.
Today, David spends his time pursuing his many interests, including exercise, flamenco guitar, drawing, painting, and reading. He remains committed to his physical fitness routine and is set to release an exercise/fitness DVD in 2010. Despite the ups and downs of his career, David Roya remains a talented and dedicated artist, always striving to express himself authentically and share his passion with others.
