David Hess

He played several hard-edged roles as criminals and rapists in the Italian films Hitch-Hike (1977) and The House on the Edge of the Park (1980) as well as a supporting role in Craven's Swamp Thing (1982). He made his directorial debut with the slasher film To All a Goodnight (1980). In his later life, Hess was affiliated with the California Film Institute, where he taught improvisational theater in the institute's youth programs. He died of a heart attack on October 7, 2011, near his home in Tiburon, California after attending a local concert.

• Born — 19 September 1936 • Birthplace — New York City, U.S. • Birth Name — David Alexander Hess • Died — 7 October 2011 • Place of death — Tiburon, California, U.S. • Other Names — * David Dante • David Hill • Occupation — * Actor • singer • songwriter • composer • director • Years Active — 19562011 • Children — 4

Hess was born David Alexander Hess on September 19, 1936, in New York City. His mother Marjory was an opera singer.

In 1956, Hess recorded the original version of the Otis Blackwell composition "All Shook Up" under the stage name David Hill. The next year the song became a #1 hit single for Elvis Presley. He began his professional career as a songwriter for Shalimar Music in 1957. He composed "Start Movin' (In My Direction)" for Sal Mineo and "Rockin' Shoes" for the Ames Brothers. In 1959, he recorded a cover version of Cliff Richard's "Living Doll" for Kapp Records, and it became a mild placed charter for him on the U.S. Billboard charts. He wrote songs for Elvis Presley throughout the 1950s and 1960s, which include "I Got Stung", "Come Along", and "Sand Castles". "Your Hand, Your Heart, Your Love" became a 1960s hit when it was performed by Andy Williams. In 1962, Hess wrote and recorded "Speedy Gonzales", (as David Dante) which became a #6 single for Pat Boone in the U.S. and a #2 in the UK, selling more than 8 million copies worldwide. Hess then recorded two solo albums for Kapp Records, again topping the charts, this time with a top 10 folk hit titled "Two Brothers." In 1969, he became head of A&R at Mercury Records in New York. There he linked with Western classical composer John Corigliano, and together they wrote the rock opera The Naked Carmen, which received a Grammy nomination for Best Album Cover. It became a big hit of the Berlin Ballet Week in 1970. His work with Mercury included And the Children Toll the Passing of the Day, a 1969 album he wrote for Irish actor Malachy McCourt.

Hess married Regina Mardek in 1978 and had four children. He was a longtime resident of Corte Madera, California.

On October 7, 2011, Hess suffered a fatal heart attack near his home in Tiburon, California, and died on his way to his car after dinner with friends. He was 75 years old.

Film • Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1970 — Cold Sweat — Vermont aka Whitey — Voice, Uncredited • 1972 — The Last House on the Left — Krug Stillo • 1976 — The Swiss Conspiracy — Sando • 1976 — Potato Fritz — Sleeve • 1977 — Hitch-Hike — Adam Konitz • 1977 — Goodbye Bruce Lee: His Last Game of Death — Voice • 1979 — Avalanche Express — Geiger • 1980 — The House on the Edge of the Park — Alex • 1982 — Swamp Thing — Ferret • 1983 — White Star (film) — Frank • 1986 — Armed and Dangerous — Gunman #4 • 1986 — Body Count — Robert Ritchie — also known as Camping del Terrore • 1986 — Let's Get Harry — Mercenary • 1989 — Sindrome veneziana — Walter • 1991 — Buck ai confini del cielo — Dan • 1992 — Omicidio a luci blu — Sergeant Flanagan • 1994 — Jonathan of the Bears — Maddock • 2001 — Nutcracker — John Gard / Clyde Fairfax • 2004 — Zombie Nation — Aaron Singer III • 2005 — Zodiac Killer — Mel Navokov • 2006 — The Absence of Light — Whiplash • 2006 — Fallen Angels — Kajal • 2007 — Used — Aldo Modisco • 2007 — Go Together • 2009 — Smash Cut — Able Whitman • 2011 — The Steppes — Oleg • 2012 — Debris documentar — Himself • 2016 — The House That Wept Blood — Detective Marsh — (final film role) Television • Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1976 — 21 Hours at Munich — Berger — Television film • 1977 — Baretta — Bosco — Episode: "All That Shatters" • 1981 — Jacqueline Susann's Valley of the Dolls — Robaire — Television film • 1983 — Knight Rider — Donny — Episode: "Short Notice" • 1983 — Manimal — William — Episode: "Illusion" • 1985 — Sadat — Israeli Soldier — Television film • 1985 — The Fall Guy — Episode: "Reel Trouble" • 1986 — The A-Team — Episode: "Dishpan Man" • 1989 — Oceano — Kruger — Television mini-series • 1991 — The Kaltenbach Papers — Ibi — Television mini-series • 1997 — Noi siamo angeli — Manuel Delgado — Episodes: "Due facce da galera", "La fortuna piove dal cielo" • 2010 — Royal Pains — Bob Ambrose — Episode: "In Vino Veritas" Crew • Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1980 — To All a Goodnight — Director • 1996 — Niki de Saint Phalle: Wer ist das Monster - du oder ich? — Producer — Documentary • 1999 — The Green Monster — Producer — Television documentary • 2004 — Zombie Nation — Production executive • 2010 — Steel Drums, No Guns — Director, producer — Short documentary • 2011 — Sketchy House — Executive Producer Soundtrack/music • Year — Title — Notes • 1964 — The Ed Sullivan Show — Soundtrack writer: "Speedy Gonzalez"; episode: season 17, episode 21; uncredited • 1966 — Frankie and Johnny — Soundtrack writer: "Come Along"; uncredited • 1966 — Paradise, Hawaiian Style — Soundtrack writer: "Sand Castles" • 1972 — The Last House on the Left — Soundtrack writer, performer, lyrics, music composer • 1989 — Cold Justice — Composer • 1989 — Roger & Me — Composer: "Speedy Gonzales" • 1993 — Lo Kolel Sherut — Soundtrack writer; episode: season 3, episode 8 • 2002 — Cabin Fever — Soundtrack writer, performer: various • 2003 — Celluloid Crime of the Century — video documentary short • 2008 — Manhunt — Soundtrack writer, performer • 2009 — Melancholie der Engel — Composer • 2011 — Sketchy House — Composer, performer

David Hess is recorded as actor, film director, film producer, songwriter and film score composer.