David Kelsey was born in Palo Alto, California, however raised within the Bay Space. After finishing a Bachelor’s diploma in Worldwide Economics from UC Berkeley, Kelsey then moved to Southern California to pursue a profession in appearing.
Images by Dean Foreman
Kelsey received his first massive break starring in an MTV industrial selling the film Dick Tracy, the place he performed the lead alongside Warren Beatty, Madonna, and Al Pacino. Following this, he appeared in over 30 commercials for manufacturers like Miller Beer, Visa, Whole Cereal, and Raisin Bran. He later signed with Wrangler Denims, turning into the face of their worldwide marketing campaign for 3 years.
Kelsey appeared in exhibits like NYPD Blue earlier than touchdown the position of Astronaut Candidate and Mission Specialist D.B. Woods on the tv sequence The Cape. He later guest-starred on in style sequence reminiscent of The Observe, Theft Murder Division, The Nearer, Citadel, and The Mentalist. His movie credit embody roles in Cheaper by the Dozen, Frost/Nixon, and Folks Like Us.
Lately, he’s starred within the award-winning movie, Mistaken Numbers, and received Finest Actor on the Beverly Hills Movie Pageant. Chilled received an opportunity to speak with him, and he shared insights about his expertise, his favourite methods to spend downtime, his go-to drinks, and extra.
Inform us concerning the tasks you might be engaged on.
I simply wrapped two unbiased tasks: Swipe NYC and Mistaken Numbers. Swipe NYC is a brief movie and my debut as a producer and actor. Sue Zarco Kramer wrote an unbelievable script and directed it. We had been lucky to have Lisa Edelstein (from The Kaminsky Methodology and Home MD), Richard Schiff (West Wing, The Good Physician), and Bridget Moynahan (John Wick, Blue Bloods) on board. The movie has obtained a number of accolades at festivals throughout the nation, together with Finest Romantic Comedy and Viewers Award for Finest Quick Movie. We’re excited concerning the alternatives arising from it.
Mistaken Numbers, then again, is a function movie written by Frederick Mensch (HBO’s Nightingale) and directed by my longtime pal Duane Edwards, who made his function debut with this challenge. It’s a traditional two-hander, shot solely in Chicago over 4 areas, following two characters over the course of a yr. We had an intense schedule—my co-star Emily Corridor and I filmed 115 pages of dialogue in only one week. It felt like performing in a play, fantastically captured by our DP, Jefferey Brown. The movie was lately launched on Amazon, and the viewers response has been heartwarming; they actually join with the movie’s intimacy. Duane did a incredible job of holding the storytelling easy and real.
My manufacturing firm, Desk 23, is known as after the VIP desk I served at throughout my twenties on the well-known Ivy at The Shore in Santa Monica. Coincidentally, it’s additionally the identical desk quantity the place I used to be seated a number of months in the past on the Roosevelt Lodge, within the room that hosted the primary Academy Awards in 1929—the place I had the unbelievable honor of successful Finest Actor on the 2024 Beverly Hills Movie Pageant for Mistaken Numbers. We’ve optioned for some incredible books, and I’m thrilled to have my first script in improvement. Storytelling has all the time been my ardour, and with a bit extra expertise, I’m excited to collaborate with proficient people to carry compelling tales to life.
Together with your busy schedule, what do you love to do together with your downtime?
With out sounding too cliché, I view time as a present. I prioritize high quality moments with household and buddies. My adventurous buddies and I lately toured the coast of Croatia, and we love exploring locations like Lake Tahoe and the East Coast from New York to Maine. I’ve additionally taken up golf over the previous few years, and you’ll usually discover me cheering for the 49ers, Warriors, and Giants.
If you exit to eat, the place do you prefer to dine?
Residing within the Bay Space, I’ve developed a style for Spanish delicacies. One in all my favourite spots is Coqueta on San Francisco’s Embarcadero, which gives a incredible interpretation of Spanish dishes, complemented by nice wine and impressed cocktails—all with a shocking view.
What sorts of dishes do you usually order?
I’m drawn to fish dishes, significantly sea bass and salmon, however I can by no means resist a very good, aged prime rib.
Any favourite bars?
I lately shot Swipe NYC at an unbelievable bar in Brooklyn referred to as Barely Disfigured. The ambiance is beautiful, and the signature drinks are top-notch—I make it some extent to go to at any time when I’m in New York. Mistaken Numbers additionally featured Rosebud Steakhouse in Chicago, which is the proper spot for a Negroni. After all, my hometown pub, The Dutch Goose in Menlo Park… and establishment since 1966… excellent place to drag as much as the “Duck Blind” within the again and have a draft beer or Moscow Mule together with their well-known deviled eggs.
What’s your favourite drink proper now?
Proper now, I’m into Negronis, Mezcal cocktails, or a traditional Margarita.
Do you put together drinks at residence?
Sure, I usually make a Negroni or take pleasure in a pleasant Añejo tequila on the rocks.
Inform us about your private home bar. What’s it stocked with?
Tequila! Throughout COVID, I developed fairly the gathering, because of SipTequila.com. A few of my favorites embody Cava de Ora, Qui, and Compoveda Further Añejo.
Have you ever ever been a bartender?
I simply performed one in my current movie! In Swipe NYC, my character Luke owns Barely Disfigured and mixes signature drinks. Lisa Edelstein’s character even referred to as him a “magician” behind the bar—extra enjoyable than taking part in a physician on TV!
If you happen to might share a drink with anybody, who wouldn’t it be?
Kevin Costner. I’ve all the time seen him as a powerhouse in unbiased filmmaking and he is an outstanding storyteller, each as an actor and director. I love how he has maintained a powerful imaginative and prescient all through his profession. I’d like to work with him, study from him, and revel in a pleasant tequila!
Mistaken Numbers trailer
