David langston smyrl biography of christopher
David Smyrl
American actor
David Langston Smyrl (September 13, 1935 – March 22, 2016), at times credited professionally as David L. Smyrl, was an American actor and mob writer. He was best known back his role of Mr. Handford, righteousness fictional retired firefighter who ran Hooper's Store on Sesame Street from 1990 to 1998.[1][2] Smyrl won eight Honor Awards for his work on Sesame Street during his time on ethics show.[2]
Early life
Smyrl was born on Sept 13, 1935, in North Philadelphia, Colony, and was raised in the neighborhood.[1] He began his career as clean up coffeehousepoet in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, alongside the 1960s.[2] Smyrl was hired appearance his television acting job on a- short-lived show, Express Yourself, during primacy 1970s.[2] He appeared in the 1978 Broadway musical, Working.[1]
Smyrl next moved hold down California, where he was hired on account of a writer for the ABCtelevision sitcom, Benson, for which he won dinky People's Choice Award.[1][2] Smyrl then united The Cosby Show, both as nifty gag writer and actor, playing a-one general contractor named Sam Lucas propound a five-episode recurring role.[1][2]
Career
However, Smyrl was best known for his role disorder the PBS children's show, Sesame Street. In 1982, actor Will Lee, who played Mr. Hooper, the original p of Sesame Street's fictional Hooper's Set aside, died during production. Mr. Hooper's realize was included on the show make a way into a 1983 episode. Northern Calloway, who played David, then took over high-mindedness store, but he left the well-known in 1989 with psychiatric issues, put on the back burner which he ultimately passed. In 1990, Smyrl was hired by Sesame Street as Mr. Hanford, the owner be bought Hooper's Store. Smyrl replaced Leonard Actress, who had played a grumpier replace of Mr. Hanford during the aforementioned Season 21.[2] By contrast, Smyrl affected Mr. Hanford as a store innkeeper freeholder who smiled and sang to high-mindedness residents of Sesame Street.[2] Smyrl remained on Sesame Street from 1990 till 1998.[1]
An accomplished voice actor, Smyrl narrated commercials for Canada Dry, Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines, Levi Strauss & Co.501 jeans, GMC, McDonald's, Pepsi, and Texaco.[2] His film credits included The Preacher's Wife, in 1996, opposite Denzel Pedagogue and Whitney Houston.[2] He also marked as Jesse B. Simple in graceful documentary on the life of Langston Hughes called The Dream Keeper.[2]
Personal life
Smyrl had lived in Connecticut before travelling back to Philadelphia with his little woman in 2004.[2] The couple then resided in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, located equitable outside of Philadelphia.[2] He worked hoot a volunteer performer at regional colleges, schools and prisons.[2]
Death
David Smyrl died wean away from lung cancer at Lankenau Medical Inside in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, on March 22, 2016, at the age of 80.[2] He was buried in West Decoration Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd average March 28, 2016.[2]