David Leisure
Biography
David Russell Leisure, born November 16, 1950, in San Diego, California, is an American actor. He moved to Los Angeles after graduating, landing his first acting job with a minor role as a Hare Krishna in the film Airplane! from 1980. He is best known for portraying Charley Dietz in the sitcom Empty Nest from 1988 to 1995 and for playing the fictional and lying automotive pitch man Joe Isuzu in television commercials for Isuzu from 1986 to 1990, and again from 1999 to 2001. His additional television credits include Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, One on One, V.I.P., Diagnosis: Murder, The Parent 'Hood, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show, For Your Love, Caroline in the City, The Wayans Bros., Touched by an Angel, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Renegade, The Golden Girls, Married with Children, ALF, 227, T. J. Hooker, and The Equalizer.
Career overview
David Russell Leisure is an American actor born on November 16, 1950, in San Diego, California. After graduating, he moved to Los Angeles, and his first acting job was a minor role as a Hare Krishna in the 1980 film Airplane!
Leisure is best known for his role as Charley Dietz in the sitcom Empty Nest, appearing in the series from 1988 to 1995. He is also widely known for portraying the fictional and lying automotive pitch man Joe Isuzu in a series of North American television commercials for Isuzu from 1986 to 1990, and again from 1999 to 2001.
In addition to his signature roles, Leisure has accumulated numerous additional television credits throughout his career. His appearances on television include Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, One on One, V.I.P., Diagnosis: Murder, The Parent 'Hood, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show, For Your Love, Caroline in the City, The Wayans Bros., Touched by an Angel, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Renegade, The Golden Girls, Married with Children, ALF, 227, T. J. Hooker, and The Equalizer.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
55 titles- The Goldbergs (2013) as Captain Roger
- Sperm Donor (2012) as Maxwell
- Bionicle: The Legend Reborn (2009) as Metus (voice)
- Teed Off Too (2008) as Your Golf Guide
- Teed Off (2005) as Your Golf Guide
- Welcome To September (2005) as Elliott Faydo
- Elvis Has Left the Building (2004) as Hole-in-the-Head Elvis
- World's Funniest & Cleverest Commercials (2004) as Himself - Host / Joe Isuzu
- Ghost Dog: A Detective Tail (2003) as Dr. Vaughn
- Celebrities Uncensored (2003) as Self
- One on One (2001) as Frank
- Downward Angel (2001) as Charles
- Behind the Seams (2000) as Milos Breneschov
- 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) as Mr. Chapin
- Action (1999) as Self (uncredited)
- Baby Huey's Great Easter Adventure (1999) as Nick's Dad
- Dogmatic (1999) as Pal Acres
- V.I.P. (1998) as DMV driving instructor
- Fallout (1998) as Peter Colgrove
- Perversions of Science (1997) as William Tilbrook
- Nowhere (1997) as Egg and Ducky's Dad
- The Outsider (1997) as Dr. Greenstreet
- Hollywood Safari (1997) as Troy
- Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (1996) as Bob Bermuda
- Caroline in the City (1995) as Fred
- The Wayans Bros. (1995) as Bud Masada
- The Parent 'Hood (1995)
- The Brady Bunch Movie (1995) as Jason
- Touched by an Angel (1994) as Councilman Hinkley
- Burke's Law (1994) as Stormy Gilliss
- Diagnosis: Murder (1993) as Lenny Rosen
- Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993) as Spencer Spencer
- Intimate Portrait (1993) as Self
- Count DeClues' Mystery Castle (1993) as The Castle (Voice)
- Renegade (1992) as Derek Devlin / Mr. Success
- Dinosaurs (1991) as Mr. Teddy Wolfe (voice)
- Blossom (1990)
- Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme (1990) as Newscaster / Game Show Host
- Empty Nest (1988) as Charley Dietz
- You Can't Hurry Love (1988) as Peter Newcomb
- Goddess of Love (1988) as Jimmy
- Perfect People (1988) as Derek
- Married... with Children (1987) as Bink Winkleman
- ALF (1986) as Brandon Tartikoff
- Sledge Hammer! (1986) as Guard Chester
- Sledge Hammer! (1986) as Officer Jackson
- The Golden Girls (1985) as Charlie Dietz
- The Golden Girls (1985) as Oliver
- The Equalizer (1985) as Man in Restaurant (uncredited)
- 227 (1985)
- T. J. Hooker (1982) as Ben Fairly
- Airplane II: The Sequel (1982) as Religious Zealot
- Wait Until Dark (1982) as Policeman
- Falcon Crest (1981) as Tuscany Valley Restaurant Waiter
- Airplane! (1980) as First Krishna
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is David Leisure best known for?
David Leisure is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Way Back (2010), Cube (1998), Brideshead Revisited (1981), Action (1999).
When and where was David Leisure born?
David Leisure was born on November 16, 1950 in San Diego, California, USA.
How many credits does David Leisure have?
David Leisure has accumulated over 55 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1980 to 2013.
What is David Leisure's background in cinema and television?
David Russell Leisure, born November 16, 1950, in San Diego, California, is an American actor. He moved to Los Angeles after graduating, landing his first acting job with a minor role as a Hare Krishna in the film Airplane! from 1980. He is best known for portraying Charley Dietz in the sitcom Empty Nest from 1988 to 1...