David Alexander Hess was born in New York City, New York
on September 19, 1936. He was an actor, singer, songwriter, and director. His
mother, Marjory, was an opera singer.
Hess became a professional songwriter, using pseudonyms
including David Hill, for Shalimar Music in 1957. He wrote or co-wrote songs
that Elvis Presley recorded, including “I Got Stung” and “Make Me Know You’re
Mine,” and scored a Top 10 hit in 1962 when Pat Boone sang “Speedy Gonzalez,”
which Mr. Hess co-wrote.
Mr. Hess’s film career began in Wes Craven’s first movie,
“The Last House on the Left” (1972), one of the first in the “slasher” genre.
His sister Judith’s boyfriend, the actor Martin Kove, was considered for the
role of the psychotic convict Krug Stillo, but decided not to pursue it for
fear of being typecast. Mr. Hess won the part and also composed the film’s
soundtrack.
Hess would go on to play several hard-edged roles as
criminals in the Italian films “Hitch-Hike” (1977) and “The House on the Edge
of the Park” (1980) before having a supporting role in Wes Craven's “Swamp
Thing” (1982). He made his directorial debut with the slasher film “To All a
Goodnight” (1980). In his later life, he was affiliated with the California Film
Institute, where he taught improvisational theater in the institute's youth
programs.
Hess died in Tiburon, California from a heart attack on
October 7, 2011.
HESS, David A. (aka David Hill) (David Alexander
Hess) [9/19/1936, New York City, New
York, U.S.A. – 10/7/2011, Tiburon, California, U.S.A. (heart attack)] –
producer, director, composer, songwriter, actor, married to actress Karoline
Mardeck (Regina Mardeck Morris) (1978-2011) father of Steve Morris
Hess, actor Jesse Hess, Sara Hess, Sasha Hess
Montana Trap –
1975 [sings: “He’s a Friend of Mine (The Ballad of Potato Fritz)”]
Buck at the Edge
of Heaven – 1991
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