Biografi
Originally trained as a classical theater actor in Cleveland, OH, he earned a BFA in Theater with an English minor from Kent State University. His senior Honors thesis, "Directing Postmodern Ibsen," showcased his adaptation of An Enemy of the People, incorporating modern dance, a techno soundtrack, and non-linear staging. During his time at Kent—where four students were tragically shot and killed by the National Guard on May 4, 1970, during Vietnam War protests—he developed a deep appreciation for the arts' power to highlight social, economic, and racial injustices.
After gaining experience in various Cleveland-area films and theater productions, including his own postmodern group "boygirl productions," he moved to Hollywood to pursue broader acting opportunities. Although he found moderate success in indie films and television, his true breakthrough came years later when he began counting cards as a blackjack player in Vegas. Unlike many actors who support themselves through bartending, he earned a substantial income by combining his acting skills, Mensa-level IQ, and a bold attitude. He ultimately placed second in the 2004 World Series of Blackjack, narrowly missing victory on the last card, and thus the persona "Hollywood Dave" emerged.
Over the following decade, Dave appeared in nearly 100 episodes of gambling-related TV shows, authored several columns on game theory, published the book Hollywood Blackjack: An Uncensored Guide to Doing It Like a Pro, and received sponsorships from various online real-money gaming companies. Trading blackjack and poker strategies with fellow pro Annie Duke, he competed internationally, winning numerous tournaments, playing with a professional card-counting team, and growing a dedicated fan base. However, as the U.S. market became less hospitable toward online gambling, he shifted focus to consulting on subscription, social, and skill-based gaming projects such as the Ultimate Blackjack Tour, the Play WPT software platform, and multiple real-money gaming brands.
After relocating to Oakland, CA in early 2012, Dave turned his attention fully to developing mobile gaming products within the Bay Area startup community. He created the award-winning Fresh Deck Poker (available on mobile and Facebook) and launched Sparcade, a real-money skill-based platform where players win cash competing in casual games like Tetris, Scrabble, and Pac-Man.
Now an enthusiastic cryptocurrency trader and VR/AR advocate, he continues to build next-generation gaming platforms while supporting progressive causes including media literacy, social justice, and anti-war activism.
