David Alexander Hess (September 19, 1936 â€" 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
Elvis Presley and Pat Boone, but garnered international attention for
his feature film debut portraying Krug Stillo in Wes Craven's
exploitation horror film 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 had 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.Hess was
born David Alexander Hess on September 19, 1936 in New York City. His
mother Marjory was an opera singer.
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
Elvis Presley and Pat Boone, but garnered international attention for
his feature film debut portraying Krug Stillo in Wes Craven's
exploitation horror film 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 had 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.Hess was
born David Alexander Hess on September 19, 1936 in New York City. His
mother Marjory was an opera singer.
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