David Hess

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For other uses, see David Hess (disambiguation).
David Hess
Hess in Hitch-Hike (1977)
Born
David Alexander Hess

(1936-09-19)September 19, 1936
New York City, U.S.
DiedOctober 7, 2011(2011-10-07) (aged 75)
Tiburon, California, U.S.
Other names
  • David Dante
  • David Hill
Occupations
  • Actor
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • composer
  • director
Years active1956–2011
Spouse
Regina Mardek
​
(m. 1978)​
Children4

David Alexander Hess (September 19, 1936 – October 7, 2011) was an American actor, singer, songwriter, and director. He came to prominence for his portrayals of murderous villains and gruff characters in several films in the 1970s and 1980s.

Hess originally worked as a songwriter in the 1950s, co-writing songs recorded by

The Last House on the Left (1972). 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.

Early life

Hess was born David Alexander Hess on September 19, 1936, in New York City.[1] His mother Marjory was an opera singer.[2]

Career

1956–1971: Songwriting and music

In 1956, Hess recorded the original version of the

hit single for Elvis Presley
.

He began his professional career as a songwriter for Shalimar Music in 1957. He composed "

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)[1][3] 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

Grammy award-winning rock opera The Naked Carmen, which 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
.

1972–2011: Acting and film

In 1972, his career split into several new directions with his starring role in the

The Last House on the Left, for which he also composed the soundtrack. In this movie, he was noted to have been a reckless, merciless character.[1][4] A Method actor, he famously threatened to attack costar Sandra Peabody to get a more genuine reaction from her.[5]

He scored Buck at the Edge of Heaven [it], a children's film based on a collection of Jack London stories. The film won the top prize for film and direction at the Giffoni Film Festival. He also had roles in Hitchhike and The House on the Edge of the Park.

A subsequent job offer from PolyGram's German affiliate gave Hess the opportunity to move to Munich, Germany, and a multilingual career in film dubbing from 1972 to 1976 which in turn led him to writing the English language shooting scripts for German directors such as Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Reinhard Hauff, and Peter Schamoni.[3]

In 1980, he directed To All a Good Night, his first American feature film, for Media Home Entertainment in 1980. He also appeared in two horror films directed by

Camping del terrore (1987). He appeared as a villain in Wes Craven's Swamp Thing
in 1982.

In 1991, he played the part of the American in Peter Schamoni's Max Ernst—My Wanderings, My Unrest (1991). From 1993 to 1995, he produced Niki de Saint Phalle: Wer ist das Monster - du oder ich? (1996).

In later years, he released two albums: Caught Up in the Moment and Live & Unplugged in Hollywood, 2002. He worked on several tracks for the horror film Cabin Fever (2002), directed by Eli Roth, and worked as an improv acting teacher at the California Film Institute's Young Critics' Jury Training program.[6]

In 2013, One Way Static Records released the soundtrack to

The Last House on the Left on vinyl, compact disc, cassette and digital download. This was intended as a posthumous tribute and the liner notes on the release include extensive writings by Hess' family, colleagues and friends. This edition was repressed on a limited, hand numbered picture disc for Record Store Day
in 2014.

Personal life

Hess married Regina Mardek in 1978 and had four children.[6] He was a longtime resident of Corte Madera, California.[6][7]

Death

On October 7, 2011, Hess suffered a fatal heart attack near his home in Tiburon, California, and died while leaving a concert he had just attended.[6] He was 75 years old.[2][8]

Filmography

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 Montana Trap [de] 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 [de] 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 [de] 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

References

  1. ^ a b c d "The Dead Rock Stars Club - 2011 July To December". thedeadrockstarsclub.com. Archived from the original on August 18, 2015. Retrieved October 13, 2011.
  2. ^ a b Slotnik, Daniel E. (October 13, 2011). "David Hess, Songwriter and Actor, Dies at 75". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 27, 2018. Retrieved June 27, 2018. Closed access icon
  3. ^ a b Staff (October 13, 2009). "TRINITY OF TERRORS Guest Spotlight: The BADDIES of 1972's THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT! - David Hess". Fangoria. Archived from the original on 2009-10-15. Retrieved 2013-01-17.
  4. ^ Hess, David (Guest); Morrison, John (Host) (September 25, 2011). Aspect Ratio - September 2011 (Television Production). San Rafael, CA: Community Media Center of Marin. Archived from the original on December 22, 2013. Retrieved 2013-01-17.
  5. ISBN 9781903254011
    .
  6. ^ a b c d Welte, Jim (October 13, 2011). "Actor and Songwriter David Hess Dies at 75". Mill Valley Patch. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  7. ^ Jason, Will (October 14, 2011). "David Hess, Corte Madera songwriter and actor, dies at 75". Marin Independent Journal. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  8. ^ Variety Staff (October 13, 2011). "David Hess dies at 75". Variety. Retrieved June 28, 2018.

External links

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