Saturday, October 8, 2011

RIP David Hess

Actor, singer, songwriter David Alexander Hess passed away over night on October 8, 2011 at Tiburon, California home. He was 69. Hess started his career as a songwriter for Shalimar Music in 1957 under the alias David Hill. His biggest song writing hit was "Speedy Gonzales" which Pat Boone recorded and went to #6 in the U.S.A. in 1963. He then recorded two albums for Kapp Records. In 1969 he became the head of A&R at Mercury Records and co-wrote the Grammy award winning rock opera "The Naked Carmen" in 1970. In the ‘70s he turned to acting and became for his role in "Last House on the Left" (1972). Hess would reprise his role in Ruggero Deodato’s remake called "The House on the Edge of the Park" (1980). David appeared as the villain in Russ Craven’s "The Swamp Thing" (1982). He appeared in three Euro-westerns: "Montana Trap" (1976), "Buck at the Edge of Heaven" (1991) for which he also composed the music, and "Jonathan of the Bears" (1995). Hess was married to actress Karoline Mardeck who also appeared in "Buck at the Edge of Heaven". David leaves his wife Karoline and three children.

1 comment:

  1. Bobby Rhodes said...
    I am mourning the loss of a great friend with whom I had the great pleasure to work. Just a few months ago we finally managed to get in touch again after many years thanks to my agents and I even gave him an interview for his web show... It's a sad sad day. My thoughts go to his family and friends. David Hess RIP.

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