David D. Stevenson - Actor and Stuntman

By Anthony Ennis
Contributing Writer

   As the sun rises each day, so does David D. Stevenson to give praise to the " Almighty Creator" and sharpen one of his many skills -- the art of kung fu. An accomplished actor, musician, stuntman, martial artist, aerobics instructor and choreographer, this native of Trinidad has laboured long and hard, driven by his aspirations. :My philosophy about success is, it doesn't matter what it takes, you gotta do it. I believe in working hard but i like to work in areas that boost my career," he said.
   Confident in his abilities, David is nonetheless a humble individual who give credit to God for all that he has achieved. "The greatest inspiration in my life is God," he stated. The son of writer-historian Dennis and singer Lorna Stevenson, David's life has been filled with music from the moment of his conception. In the late 1970s he ambitiously pursued a career in music as a member of such bands as Soul Express, Crack O' Dawn, Mark of the Sun and Kharece ( Greek for gift, grace and charisma). He traveled the U.S. with Soul Express, opening up for the likes of Lyle Hampton, Patti La Belle's La Belle, Sammy Davis Jr., and he performed for Prime Minister Trudeau on Canada Day.
   At present, David is not in a band, yet he continues his involvement in the field of music working alongside Maurizio Rossetto at B.M.W. Productions. " I'm currently working with Smasher Cadogan and the lead singer of Messenjah. Maurizio and I worked with Snow before he got discovered. We had put together some really good music that he took to New York and got his deal, " David informed us. In answer to the question why he doesn't focus more on a career as a musician he replied, "it's important that people don't look at all the talent that I have, but instead, consider all the avenues open to me to use my creativity. If I was just a musician, I'd probably be just a musician."
   As a star about to go nova, David Stevenson's list of accomplishments is impressive and continues to expand daily. A childhood friend of Ebony Rowe (Each One Teach One) Stevenson's curriculum vitae includes:

Film:
Cool Runnings, stuntman;
Tiger Claws, actor/martial artist;
Running, actor;
Talons of the Eagle, actor/stuntman;
Death Bite, actor.

Television:
Boogie, dancer/production assistant;
Cadbury commercial, actor;
Knightwatch (ABC), actor/stuntman:
Kung Fu (FOX), actor;
Night Heat (CFTO), actor.

Stage:
The Runaways, principal dancer;
Flying, dancer

In addition, David has studied with Phil Blacks, The Alvin Ailey Dance Company and the Len Gibson Dance Company.
While visiting Hong Kong last year David got a call from Catherine Cadogan, coordinator for Elvis Airborne, who asked him to take on an assignment that should be logged in history books as the first translation of martial arts to the arena of competitive skating. The choreography David incorporated into Elvis Stojko's Olympic silver medal performance had never been done before on ice. "In training Elvis, I

" The real
action is behind
the camera.
My objective is
to make my
own movies."

concentrated on the mental aspect, not just the physical; the combination of the two is what makes good martial arts," David explained. He then noted that he has maintianed a friendship with Elvis and that he has a great admiration for the Stojko family.
On May10th, you many have heard David D. Stevenson speak on CBC Radio, or on May 20th, you may have been present at the " Young, Gifted and Black Talent Show," in which he took part as a judge. There is another side to this determined young man one that has little to do with entertainment and a lot to do with contributing to one's community. "I work with young offenders when I'm not working on movies at a company called Toronto GroupHomes, counseling the young. I'm hoping to provide a positive image they can follow," he said.

He then went on to say that young people today are missing the spiritual element in their lives and the family connection.
   As the sun crosses the sky from east to west, so does David Stevenson strive to go from in front of the camera to behind it. "The real action is behind the camera. My objective is to make my own movies," he said. He informed us that every time he goes on the set, no matter what show it is he goes with a note pad and the idea of keeping his mind open to learn and experience things that he hopes to bring to his projects. Recently, Dave shot an action sequence with Marcus Vine which was submitted to William Shatner (Star Trek) who was impressed to such a degree that he has recuited Dave to work in front of, and behind the camera on the new Tekwar series with Gene Clark and Greg Eveigan.
   Standing at the threshold of success, David looks at one mega-star with whom he had the pleasure of being acquainted -- one who is now sadly departed but not forgotten, John Candy. "John was a good man. I knew him from the age of 15 and had the opportunity to work with him the year before he died. It' a great loss because he was not only a great actor, he was also a great, genuine person. He had a great heart," Stevenson said. He continued by giving details of the fact that he met John along with Al Waxman (King of Kensington) while they were with Catherine Cadogan, his present agent.
   Not content with sitting ideally in the afterglow of any achievement, David continues to ambitiously apply himself to his craft and is involved with the efforts of the Los Angeles-based martial arts production company, New Dawn Productions. "I've been with New Dawn for two years now; they hired me as a consultant. They work specifically with martial artists and martial arts action sequences," he informed us.
   Stevenson has a desire to become more active in the struggle for Africans everywhere to achieve social justice, peace, harmony and unity. In June, he will journey to Washington D.C. to speak to inercity youths and university students. " Love and togetherness is all. Hopefully, we can work together to make this a better world,"he said optimistically.
   With the sun acting as a spotlight, David takes cebtre stage to offer these words of advice to others who would pursue a career within the film industry, or any other line of honest employment. "Always put God first!" As the spotlight fads and the director shouts "cut," David adds these final words: " I think it's stunt men not actors who should be recognized. They put their lives on the line to make an actor look good and they deserve respect because without them, ther's no show and ther's no go."