David Bruce Cassidy was an American actor, singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He was known for his role as Keith Partridge in the 1970s musical-sitcom The Partridge Family.
Background
Cassidy, David Bruce was born on April 12, 1950 in New York City. Cassidy was born at Flower Fifth Avenue Hospital in New York City, the son of singer and actor Jack Cassidy and actress Evelyn Ward. His father was of half Irish and half German ancestry, and his mother was descended mostly from Colonial Americans, along with some Irish and Swiss roots. As his parents were frequently touring on the road, he spent his early years being raised by his maternal grandparents in West Orange, New Jersey.
Education
Student public schools, Beverly Hills, California.
Career
Actor, singer, songwriter, and author. Before starting his career in entertainment, worked in the mailroom of a textile company. Has also performed in regional theater. Tours and performs concerts featuring music of the Partridge Family and his own. Breeds and races thoroughbred horses.
Achievements
David became an instant drawcard, with sellout concert successes in major arenas around the world. These concerts produced mass hysteria, resulting in the media coining the term "Cassidymania".
During a 2012 guest appearance on The Colbert Report he expressed his views on the leading Republican candidates for president, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich. He said, "I believe the both of them are the most embarrassing, sad, pathetic ... I mean, really, this is the best we can do?"
Membership
Member American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers., Screen Actors Guild, American Federation television and Radio Artists, Actors Equity.
Screen Actors Guild
American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
Actors’ Equity Association
American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers
Personality
In 2008, Cassidy publicly admitted he had an alcohol problem.
Physical Characteristics:
David had androgynous good looks.
Connections
Cassidy's first wife was actress Kay Lenz, whom he married on April 3, 1977, but they got divorced on December 28, 1983.
Cassidy soon married his second wife, horse breeder Meryl Tanz, in 1984. They met in 1974 at a horse sale in Lexington, Kentucky. But that marriage also ended in divorce in 1985.
David's daughter, actress Katie Cassidy, was born in 1986 from a relationship with fashion model Sherry Williams. After David and Williams ended their relationship, Katie was raised by her mother and stepfather Richard Benedon.
Cassidy married Sue Shifrin on March 30, 1991, his third and her second marriage. They had one child, Beau,in 1991.In August 2013, Cassidy's Los Angeles publicist confirmed that the couple had separated, with Shifrin filing for divorce in February 2014.
