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David Cassidy

David Cassidy returns to series television in Ruby & The Rockits, in which brother Patrick co-stars along with Alexa Vega (Spy Kids). It was almost four decades ago that David rose to stardom in another family show, The Partridge Family, and became the biggest TV and performing phenomenon in history. His brother, Shaun Cassidy, became the next internationally recognized teen superstar and has come to be one of the most successful and respected television creators, producers and writers. Ruby & The Rockits is a true family affair, with Shaun at the helm and youngest brother Ryan as production designer. The show debuts on ABC Family on Tuesday, July 21 at 8:30PM. "This is the first time that all four of us have ever worked together. It has been our dream and desire to do this for many years," said David.

From television to recording and record-breaking concert tours, from Broadway and London's West End to Las Vegas production shows, David Cassidy has made his mark and been lauded with nominations and awards in each arena. He has certainly proven that it is talent, creativity and tenacity that keep people coming to shows, turning on the television and buying his recordings.

Hailing from a family of actors, mother Evelyn Ward and father Jack Cassidy, David's fate as a performer was essentially seeded at a young age. It was by coincidence that he wound up starring with stepmother Shirley Jones in The Partridge Family. When ABC cast David as its juvenile star in what became an astonishingly successful series, one of the most spectacular careers in the entertainment industry was launched. Before the end of 1970, the year that The Partridge Family premiered, David had the #1 selling single of the year and record of the year, garnered multiple Grammy nominations and won a Golden Apple Award. Over the next five years, membership in his official fan club exceeded that of Elvis Presley and the Beatles.

Those were only the first of many records David broke in his long and constantly evolving career. He became the first personality to be merchandised globally. His likeness appeared on everything from posters to lunch boxes, comic books, toys, cereal boxes and almost anything else imaginable. His concerts sold out in the largest arenas and stadiums in the world, which led him to be the world's highest paid performer by the age of 21. He broke box office records at Melbourne's Cricket Grounds, London's White City Stadium, Houston's Astrodome and New York's Madison Square Garden. To date, his records have sold well over 30 million copies worldwide and have been recognized with over 24 gold and platinum recordings, including four consecutive multi-platinum LP's.

David was responsible for seven chart-topping Partridge Family singles, including Doesn't Somebody Want To Be Wanted, I Woke Up in Love This Morning, Breaking Up Is Hard to Do and, of course, I Think I Love You, the best selling record of 1971. As a solo artist, he has had hit singles including Cherish, Could It Be Forever, How Can I Be Sure, Rock Me Baby and Lyin' to Myself. His 2004 CD, Then and Now, was in the Top Five and reached platinum status.

Despite the superstardom he has enjoyed as a singer, songwriter and producer, David still thinks of himself as an actor first. His credits also include the telefilm A Chance to Live, the highest rated Police Story in its seven year history, which earned him an Emmy nomination as Best Dramatic Actor.

Never one to rest on his laurels, David went to Broadway, where he starred in the original production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Ironically, brother Patrick starred in the same show in the same role on a national tour in 2005.

London beckoned to David, and he starred next at the prestigious West End in Time, with Sir Laurence Olivier. In 1994 he once again broke box office records in the stunning and highly lauded production of Blood Brothers on Broadway, working for the first time with Shaun. The subsequent tour of the United States and Canada was also SRO.

Despite the peaks and valleys of his professional and personal life, David has always been able to regenerate his success by keeping his perspective and acute sense of humor. "I'm an optimist. I mean, you have to be with my career, he laughs. I've never gone out and changed my style to suit the times. I have always stayed true to myself by using the work ethic my father instilled in me, to strive for the best musically, theatrically, as well as in producing and writing. He taught me to be fearless about revealing the frailties and strengths of the human experience. Bringing that human element to my work is the most important thing I can do as an entertainer."

In 1996 David took on his next challenge and moved to Las Vegas to star at the MGM Grand in the $75 million extravaganza, EFX. Under his creative direction and by entirely re-vamping the show, it became the most successful production in Las Vegas. The MGM acknowledged that he was singularly responsible for bringing over 1 million paid customers to see EFX. Within four months of opening, the show was voted Best Production Show in Las Vegas, and David was voted Best All Around Performer and Best Singer. In 1999, David was again named Best All Around Performer, Entertainer of the Year and Show Star of the Year for The Rat Pack Is Back!, the first original production paying tribute to the legendary quartet, which he created and produced with Emmy Award-winning writer-producer Don Reo. The musical played to sold-out audiences first at the Desert Inn, then at the Sahara Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Simultaneously, David and Reo created At the Copa, which David wrote, co-produced and in which starred. He returned to performing in concert subsequently and continues to tour worldwide.

In addition to performing, producing, writing and recording, David's passion and avocation lie with the thoroughbred horses that he breeds and that race throughout the country. David lives in Florida with his wife, songwriter Sue Shifrin-Cassidy, and their 18 year-old son, Beau.


Note: This profile was written in or before 2009.
Read earlier biographies on this page.

David Cassidy Facts

Birth NameDavid Bruce Cassidy
OccupationMusician
BirthdayApril 12, 1950 (73)
SignAries
BirthplaceNew York, New York, USA
Height5' 7" (1m70)  How tall is David Cassidy compared to you?

Selected Filmography

Not available.