David Bruce Cassidy was born on April 12, 1950 to Jack Cassidy and Evelyn Ward in New Jersey.He made his stage début in "The Pajama Game" and the Los Angeles Theater Company's "And So To Bed" during his senior year at Rexford High School in 1967. He subsequently moved to New York and worked in the mailroom of a textile firm while auditioning and taking acting classes at night.
David made his professional début in the Broadway production of 'The Fig Leaves are Falling' in 1969. That led to numerous guest appearances on TV such as The Survivors, Ironside, Marcus Welby, MD (episode 'Fun and Games and Michael Ambrose' Jan 1970), Adam-12 (episode 'A Rare Occasion' Feb 70), Bonanza (episode 'The Law and Billy Burgess' Feb 70), Medical Center (episode 'His Brother's Keeper' April 70), Mod Squad (episode 'The Loser' April 70) and The FBI (episode 'The Fatal Imposter' Jan 1970).
Then he was casted as Keith Partridge in "The Partridge Family" alongside his step-mother Shirley Jones in the fall of 1970. The show was an instant international success and it catapulted him to fame. The Tony Romeo-penned I Think I Love You featured David as the lead singer topped the US chart for three weeks in November 1970, sold over one million copies.
In December 1971, David's first solo deal with Bell, Cherish, hit US at #9 and in May 1972, his solo act was launched in UK with Could It Be Forever at #2.
In February 1974 David did a world tour concert which began in New Zealand and then moved on to Australia, Japan, Hong Kong and ended in England. He performed to sold out concerts in the largest arenas around the world for five years.
After his world concert tour, David retired in May 1974. He spent time in Hawaii, travelled and devoted time to his interest in thoroughbred horses. He married actress Kay Lenz in 1977 and they were separated in 1981 leading to the divorce the following year. In 1978 David starred in a production of John Van Druten's "Voice of the Turtle" at West Point, NY, with his wife and they performed the play again the following year at the Westport County Playhouse, CT.
He returned to TV and received an Emmy nomination for Best Dramatic Actor in "Police Story" in the episode "A Chance to Live" (May 1979). He guest-starred on "The Love Boat" and "Fantasy Island" and starred as policeman Dan Shay in "David Cassidy - Man Undercover".
David returned to the theater in the eighties with George M Cohan's musical 'Little Johnny Jones (1981)', and the regional theater production of 'Tribute' Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's hit show 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1983)' in which he replaced Andy Gibb. The following year he completed a road tour of "Jesus Christ Superstar".
In 1984 David moved to England. He started writing new songs, recorded the album 'Romance' in 1985 and had sold out British concert tours. He married Meryl Tanz and the marriage lasted until 1986. In 1987, he took over the role of the Rock Star from Cliff Richard in the West End production of Dave Clark's musical "Time" at London's Dominion Theater. On his return to the US, he made the feature film "Instant Karma".
On his 39th birthday, DJs Mark Thompson and Brian Phelps at Los Angeles KLOS were wondering out loud what has happened to David Cassidy when their curiosity was gratified by David's call to them. He subsequently was invited to their studio and played three new songs which interested three record companies. Enigma signed him to produce the self-titled "David Cassidy" album and Lyin' To Myself reached US#27.
David married singer/songwriter Sue Shifrin in 1991. Their son, Beau Devin Cassidy was the Bestman at the wedding. David joined nearly 100 celebrities in Burbank, CA, to record Voices That Care charity record to benefit the American Red Cross Gulf Crisis Fund. David and Sue wrote the official anthem for Rebuild LA, Stand and Be Proud. In March 1991, David played a time traveller in "Spirit of 76". David embarked on his first US tour in 15 years in September 1991, bowing in Hersheypark, PA. David also wrote and performed the title theme to The John Larroquette Show.
David went on to star as 'Mickey' in Willy Russell's Blood Brothers in Broadway. Then on Oct 24th 1995 he held a press conference in England to announce his British run in Blood Brothers in Oxford, Bristol then London's West End which finished on January 6th 1996. Following that, the show went on the road in America and Canada. The finale was performed in September at The Royal Alex Theater in Toronto.
David co-produced, wrote and sang the theme song of the TV sitcom, 'Ask Harriet'. Then he landed the starring role in Las Vegas' MGM Grand's EFX show, replacing Michael Crawford. His first show was on November 8th, 96 and the last one on 31st December 1998. In May 1997, David produced his latest album, 'Old Trick New Dog'.
Today David and his family live in Las Vegas. He produced 'The Rat Pack is Back' currently showing at The Desert Inn until December 1999. He has signed a contract with RIO hotel and his new show is targeted to open on 18th January, 2000.
David Cassidy's Bio is put together by Jade with facts gathered from David's autobiography 'C'mon get Happy', 'The Guinness Book of Rock Stars' and news articles submitted by Alice Huskisson. Our appreciation and thanks to Alice for her contribution to this page.
