David Downing (actor)


David Downing was an American stage, film, and television actor. He was one of the original members of the Negro Ensemble Company in New York City.
Downing, a native of Harlem, New York City, attended the High School of Performing Arts. As a child actor, he made his professional debut on Broadway in The Green Pastures. He served a tour of duty with the U.S. Armed Forces in Okinawa.
As part of the Negro Ensemble Company in the 1960s and 70s, Downing appeared in productions including the Obie Award-winning musical The Great MacDaddy, and the successful play Ceremonies in Dark Old Men. Downing later appeared in the Pulitzer Prize-nominated play, Miss Evers' Boys.
Downing appeared in films, including Gordon's War, and numerous television shows, including The Jeffersons, Baretta, Backstairs at the White House, and Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Downing died in Los Angeles on November 1, 2017, at the age of 74.

Filmography (selected)

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2005The Bernie Mac ShowFatherEpisode: Prison Break
1998JAGChaplainEpisode: With Intent to Die
1992-1993RocDr. Brown / Uncle WarrenTwo episodes
1991Cast a Deadly SpellThadius PilgrimTV movie
1990-1991The Fresh Prince of Bel-AirReverend White / PresenterTwo episodes
1989227Father Gabbay / WalterTwo episodes
1988Meet the Raisins!RedVoice, TV special
1987Designing WomenSamEpisode: Anthony Jr.
1983Hill Street BluesChester DavidEpisode: Moon Over Uranus: The Sequel
1982Father MurphyMarcus WashingtonEpisode: The Dream Day
1979-1982The JeffersonsEdgar Thornton / Albert FoxThree episodes
1979Backstairs at the White HouseButler DixonTV miniseries
1978Ziegfeld: The Man and His WomenBert WilliamsTV movie
1977Little House on the PrairieJackson HenryEpisode: The Wisdom of Solomon
1977What's Happening!!Mr. BarnesEpisode: The Firing Squad
1976All in the FamilyJohn KastenEpisode: Mike's Move
1976BarettaSullyEpisode: Count the Days I'm Gone
1975That's My MamaQuincyEpisode: Queen of the Ribs
1975Movin' OnLee AndrewsEpisode: ...To Be in Carolina