Keith David has been a hardworking actor since the 1970s and has performed in celebrated cult classics like The Thing and They Live. He has also taken part in more serious works like Platoon and Requiem For a Dream. In the latter, he plays a particularly sleazy and sinister role. In addition to his live-action work, Keith David has partaken in numerous animated films and video games.
This list focuses on his most memorable roles as a voice performance. He always sounds stoic and ready to get down to business, and most of his roles usually reflect that. It is also pretty easy to recognize Keith David when he plays a part in a game. All the same, he always gives it his all.
7 Julius - Saints Row
Saints Row started out as a Grand Theft Auto clone. The first game was able to garner attention because it came out on the Xbox 360 long before Grand Theft Auto 4. Future entries distinguished themselves from GTA by becoming outlandish and almost like adult cartoons. Keith David plays Julius Little in the first two games, but skips out on Saints Row 3.
He then comes back in the same role for Saint's Row 4 in addition to another character, but we'll talk more about that in a later entry. Julius only has a small cameo, however. The series didn't quite blow up until Saints Row 3, though the first two games still have their fans. Currently, a reboot is in development, which appears to have a whole new cast and take place in a different continuity entirely.
6 Decker - Fallout
Before Fallout 3, the series was an isometric RPG. Decision-making and proper stat placement were even more vital and impactful than the Bethesda games. It has more akin to Wasteland than the recent Fallout games.
Keith David voices a crime boss named Decker. The character speaks softly but carries a big stick and is not hesitant to use it at a moment's notice. Because this is Fallout, you can either do the quests he gives you or report him to the Sheriff and take him out in a bloody battle. Either decision has ramifications on life in the town.
5 Spawn - Mortal Kombat
In the late 1990s, Keith David played Spawn in the animated series. It is darker and more mature than other animated shows and is now considered a classic. As such, it was a delight for fans when Spawn was announced as a guest character in Mortal Kombat 11.
It was enough to see this classic comic book character receive a place on the Mortal Kombat roster, but having Keith David voice him was the real icing on the cake. It makes fans wish for a proper Spawn game on the PS5 and Xbox with Keith David once again stepping into the recording booth.
4 Arbiter Thel 'Vadam - Halo
What is there to say about Halo that hasn't already been said? It is one of the most celebrated video game series of all time. Keith David has put his stamp on the series by playing Arbiter Thel 'Vadam in the second, third, and fifth games.
The latest entry is not the most celebrated Halo, but to be a part of Halo 2 and Halo 3 is absolutely something to be proud of. No word on whether he will be in Halo Infinite, however. The upcoming game seeks to recapture the magic of the original Halo games, taking place in more open areas. If reactions from the multiplayer beta are to be believed, fans have a lot to look forward to.
3 Apollo - Hercules
Many of the roles Keith David takes on tend to be more adult-oriented. This is not exclusively true, however. He played Apollo in the Hercules film, a classic of 90s Disney animation.
He also plays the same character in the live-action series starring Kevin Sorbo, which has no connection to the animated film. Keith David voices the character in Disney's Hades Challenge, an adventure game based on the film. He does not portray Apollo in Kingdom Hearts 3, however.
2 Vice President Keith David - Saints Row 4
As previously mentioned, the later Saints Row games become more ridiculous and go all out for the sake of comedy. Keith David skipped out on Saints Row 3, but he comes back strong in Saints Row 4 in two roles.
The protagonist starts off Saints Row 4 as the president of the United States and the vice president is literally Keith David. It is an absurd idea, but it works out perfectly in the world of Saints Row. Even better, a mission in the game features wrestler Roddy Piper in an endearing homage to They Live.
1 David Anderson - Mass Effect
Mass Effect is an incredible gaming accomplishment. Having players' choices ripple throughout three games is a feat rarely done on such a scale. Keith David is in all three of the games as David Anderson.
Anderson is the original captain of the Normandy before giving the keys to the ship over to Commandeer Shephard during the first game. Keith David voices Anderson throughout the trilogy, so you'll hear plenty of him if you do a playthrough of the whole trilogy.