David Huffman was a multifaceted American actor who made a lasting impact on the film and television industries during the 1970s and 1980s, despite often being overlooked for his talent.
With a strong foundation in the world of theater, Huffman had been performing on Broadway for several years and was frequently seen in supporting roles in television films and shows. His breakthrough performance came when he took on the title role in the 1979 made-for-TV historical film "Tom Edison: The Boy Who Lit Up the World", earning him a reputation as a leading and supporting actor in films such as "Ice Castles", "F.I.S.T.", "Blood Beach", "St. Helens", and "Firefox".
In his personal life, Huffman was married to Phyllis Huffman and had two children. Tragically, his life was cut short in 1985 when he was murdered by a thief in San Diego, California.
The incident occurred after he had brought cookies to say farewell to his "Of Mice and Men" cast-mates at the Old Globe Theater. Huffman spotted the thief, who had broken into a Canadian couple's motor-home, and chased him into a Balboa Park canyon. He was subsequently stabbed twice with a screwdriver.
The murderer was sentenced to 26 years in prison in 1986. At the time of his death, Huffman was set to begin filming the TV miniseries "North and South" the following week, at the age of 39.
