David Butler Biography

Fast Facts

• A native of northern California, he would attend Stanford University before relocating to Hollywood
• Born into the entertainment business, his father was a theater stage manager, while his mother was an actress
• Quote: "I made friends, like buddies, with my crew, with my cutters, with my actors and actresses․ I didn't want to have any feeling that I was the big boss and they were nothing․ I think by doing that I was able to last as long as I did․"
• After helming more than 40 films during the earliest part of his career, he would eventually transition to television in the late '50s and '60s
• Made his directorial debut in 1927 under Fox Studios, later signing with Warner Brothers during the 1940s
• Survived the San Francisco earthquake of 1906, later recalling his father saying, "I think this is the end․ Get down and pray․" while the family home shook
• Named manager of Los Angeles' Morosco Theatre in 1923