Actor, songwriter . His other popular-song compositions include "Anyone Can Fall in Love".
In the early 60s he went into the real estate business, retiring in 1985.
Began composing at age 14 and wrote material at one point for Doris Day.
Child actor of the 30s whose career as a troublemaker didnt last much past his teens. Brother of child actress Betty Holt.
Children: Lamont, Janna, Hayley, Tina.
Had been cast as the lead in The Personal History, Adventures, Experience, & Observation of David Copperfield the Younger (1935) , but producer David O. Selznick , who developed misgivings about having an American youngster portray a quintessentially British boy, gave the lead role to English child actor Freddie Bartholomew instead.
Younger brother Ricky Holt played the infant son of Melanie in Gone with the Wind .
Co-wrote "The Christmas Blues" with Sammy Cahn , which was heard on the soundtrack of L.A. Confidential .
Was working on his autobiography, "The Holts of Hollywood" at the time of his death.
A naturally talented youngster, he was once touted by Paramount Pictures as the "male Shirley Temple."
One of his first jobs was as a body double for Cheetah the chimpanzee in Tarzan the Fearless starring Buster Crabbe. He was 6 years old.
Eventually abandoned acting to become a much respected jazz pianist and composer.
Often mistakenly listed as being related to the more well known Holt acting family - Jack Holt , Tim Holt and Jennifer Holt. He wasnt.
David was survived by his four children: Lamont Wilson, Janna Ryer, Hayley Martin and Tina Cardiel; and seven grandchildren.
Was a former White House aide to President George W. Bush.
Was a former aide to U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL).
Was elected to the Oklahoma State Senate in 2010.
He acquired his private pilots license in 2003 right after he had finished college. He also dabbled in stunt flying during this time.
From ages 16-22 David was an amateur racecar driver. He drove two different Porsches (a 1972 Porsche 911t, and 1999 Porsche Boxster) throughout different tracks in his home state of Georgia.
David is an avid martial artist. He received his first black belt at the age of 12 in Karate. After moving to New York, he began practicing Butterfly Hand Kung Fu. By the time he had moved to Los Angeles in 2010 he had received a 3rd degree black belt in the style. He continues his practice to this day having learned and studied at several different Kung Fu schools in the Los Angeles area.
Davids middle name is Franklin. A name that comes to him from his paternal grandmothers maiden name. The Franklin surname of his grandmother can be traced back to James Franklin, Benjamin Franklins brother.
