By Richard Brecker in London
Monday 15 March 2004
One often hears of unusual routes to Hollywood stardom, but few of DAVID DAYAN FISHER‘s school teachers could have predicted that after being expelled, British actor David would one day star in a Jerry Bruckheimer blockbuster opposite movie giants Nicholas Cage and Sean Bean and work with the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow and Liv Tyler.
North London raised David (pictured above) is tipped for big things after bagging his first major film role in the new Bruckhheimer film "National Treasure" directed by Jon Turteltaub, an adventure also starring Harvey Keitel and Jon Voight about a family of treasure-seekers.
Treasure and riches could soon await David in real life if he continues to make a favourable impression with the top directors, producers and casting agents. But things could have been very different.
Explains David "After being kicked out of public school for knocking out the head boy, of two years senior, I travelled the world, did the Kibbutz thing, worked as a crepe chef, pizza chef, sandwich maker, and had numerous businesses."
It‘s a knockout to meet you! David with Muhammad Ali
He finally took up acting in 1997, trained at Central School of Speech and Drama for a year, and did 5 years of Improvisation with Dexter Fletcher and Graham Fletcher Cook at Timber Theatre company at Jackson‘s Lane Community Centre in Highgate, north London. David also completed "3 years of dangerous acting" at the London Actor studio.
After appearing in numerous commercials for the UK and Europe, together with a number of dramas for the BBC and Channel 4, David appeared in the ITV police drama "THE BILL" every year as a guest star, "playing the obligatory bad guy".
There was also a spell as a presenter in the 1996/7 English television programme "The Lads" with Sophie Anderton, Jadene (of "Don‘t Forget Your Toothbrush" fame) and comedian Terry Alderton, plus parts in "Bentley Boys" and "EastEnders".
"But I knew that the English market was small, in size, and mind," says David "I had a calling, a gut feeling to come to LA"
David Dayan Fisher with Sean Bean
And so far, his instincts have proved sound as he has worked with the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow , in a commercial for Italy and Greece, with Liv Tyler in a commercial for the Far East and secured a part in a TV show for Michael Mann, doing scenes with Tom Sizemore. He has also shot 6 other ads and has been appearing in two national commercials in the US.
David has made three short films, one a spoof ‘mocumentary‘ about the porn industry, which has won two awards, and has become quite a cult in LA. He plays an English Porn Director (Stunt Cocks).
Filming for "National Treasure" has been taking place in Washington and Philadelphia and David is now back in LA for more shooting until the Spring with a release date pencilled for the Autumn.
So, when it comes to mean and moody looking Brits, there could soon be a new kid on the block. Jason Statham, Nick Moran, Vinnie Jones et al watch out !
David Jensen Photography:
https://www.davidjensen.co.uk/
