David Canary

Guide Note

David Canary is an American born film, stage, and television actor. During his youth he played football with the Massillon Washington High School Tigers. After high school earned a football scholarship to the University of Cincinnati where he graduated as a music major. He was a Pop Warner Scholastic All-American during his college years and appeared in many stage productions. His first Broadway debut was Great Day in the Morning with Colleen Dewhurst. After college Canary was drafted into the U.S. Army where he entered an all army entertainment contest and won for best popular singer.

After he appeared with Paul Newman and Cameron Mitchell in the movie Hombre he was noticed by a television casting agent. In 1967 Canary landed his first western series in the role of ranch foreman Candy Canaday on Bonanza. He would later make several appearances on another western show Gunsmoke.

The world of soap operas opened up to him and he took the role of Steven Frame on Another World. When Steven was killed off in a car accident Canary took on the roles of twins Adam and Stuart Chandler on All My Children in 1983. He has received much acclaim for his ability to play both roles independently. Adam being cunning and deceptive and Stuart being naive and innocent. He gets paid double for playing two roles according to the Screen Actors Guild conditions.

He has won six Daytime Emmy Awards for outstanding lead actor and has been nominated an additional ten times. He has performed in musicals such as Sweeney Todd, Kismit,, and Carousel. His most notable and favorite performance was a Broadway production of Clothes for a Summer Hotel with Geraldine Page.

Fast Facts

1. Full Name: David Hoyt Canary
2. Born: August 25, 1938
3. Grew up in Ohio
4. Played football Washington High School
5. Member of Sigma Chi fraternity
6. College: University of Cincinnati
7. Brother of John Canary, actor
8. Wife: Maureen Maloney
9. Children: Lisa, Katy, Christopher
10. Studied karate under Chuck Norris
11. Considered for role of Dr. Spock Star Trek
12. Great-Great nephew of Calamity Jane (Martha Jane Canary)