David Brian
Biography
David Brian was an American screen actor who moved from vaudeville and the New York stage into Warner Bros. films. Born in New York City as Brian Davis, he attended City College and worked as a doorman before performing song and dance routines in clubs. After Coast Guard service in World War II, he returned to the stage, then Joan Crawford persuaded him to try screen acting. He signed with Warner Bros. in 1949 and appeared opposite Crawford in Flamingo Road (1949) and The Damned Don't Cry (1950), and with Bette Davis in Beyond the Forest (1949). His role in Intruder in the Dust (1949) earned him a Golden Globe nomination and critical praise. He also played in Springfield Rifle (1952) and The High and the Mighty (1954). On television he starred as Mr. District Attorney in 1954 and 1955 and guest starred on many shows. He received a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 1960.
78years old at death
- Born New York City
- Died Sherman Oaks
- Star sign: LeoThe sign runs July 23 to August 22
- Also credited as Brian James Davis
Movie Career
- Films
- 12
- Career span
- 17 years1949 to 1966
First and latest
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A change of course
After attending City College, David Brian worked as a doorman before breaking into show business with a song-and-dance act in vaudeville and night clubs.
Big break
Joan Crawford persuaded Brian to try film acting, and he followed her to Hollywood and signed with Warner Bros. in 1949.
First role
Brian originated the lead role of Mr. District Attorney on radio and then played the character on the television show in 1954 and 1955.
David Brian movies on Netflix
Castle of Evilas Robert Hawley
The Rare Breedas Ellsworth
How the West Was Wonas Lilith's Attorney
Pocketful of Miraclesas Governor
The First Traveling Salesladyas James Carter
The High and the Mightyas Ken Childs
Million Dollar Mermaidas Alfred Harper
Springfield Rifleas Austin McCool
The Damned Don't Cryas George Castleman
Beyond the Forestas Neil Latimer
Flamingo Roadas Dan Reynolds
Intruder in the Dustas John Gavin Stevens
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
Eleven actors appear in two of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.







Films together
Bess Flowers2 films together, 1949 to 1956
Bess Flowers's page The First Traveling Saleslady1956IMDb rating 5.4Brian as James CarterFlowers as Restaurant Patron
Beyond the Forest1949IMDb rating 6.8Brian as Neil LatimerFlowers as Secretary
John Wayne2 films together, 1954 to 1962
John Wayne's page How the West Was Won1962IMDb rating 7.1Brian as Lilith's AttorneyWayne as Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman
The High and the Mighty1954IMDb rating 6.6Brian as Ken ChildsWayne as Dan Roman
James Stewart2 films together, 1962 to 1966
James Stewart's page The Rare Breed1966IMDb rating 6.4Brian as EllsworthStewart as Sam Bulldog Burnett
How the West Was Won1962IMDb rating 7.1Brian as Lilith's AttorneyStewart as Linus Rawlings
Bette Davis2 films together, 1949 to 1961
Bette Davis's page Pocketful of Miracles1961IMDb rating 7.1Brian as GovernorDavis as Apple Annie
Beyond the Forest1949IMDb rating 6.8Brian as Neil LatimerDavis as Rosa Moline
Joan Crawford2 films together, 1949 to 1950
Joan Crawford's page The Damned Don't Cry1950IMDb rating 7.1Brian as George CastlemanCrawford as Ethel Whitehead
Flamingo Road1949IMDb rating 7.1Brian as Dan ReynoldsCrawford as Lane Bellamy
Ann Doran2 films together, 1949 to 1954
Ann Doran's page The High and the Mighty1954IMDb rating 6.6Brian as Ken ChildsDoran as Clara Joseph
Beyond the Forest1949IMDb rating 6.8Brian as Neil LatimerDoran as Edith Williams
Also two films together5 more actors
- Frank FergusonPocketful of Miracles (1961) and Million Dollar Mermaid (1952)
- Willis BoucheyPocketful of Miracles (1961) and Million Dollar Mermaid (1952)
- Dan WhiteThe First Traveling Saleslady (1956) and Intruder in the Dust (1949)
- Paul KellyThe High and the Mighty (1954) and Springfield Rifle (1952)
- Wilton GraffMillion Dollar Mermaid (1952) and Springfield Rifle (1952)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Awards
One award and honor.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| 1960 | Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | |
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.


