This information is according to the Advance Campaign Material from Buena Vista Distribution Co., Inc.
Naughton was stars in the outrageous new college comedy, "Midnight Madness," is best known as "The Pepper" in the Dr Pepper commercials and as the singer of the Top 40 record single "makin' It," but would really like to be thought of as a classical actor.
Born in Hartford, Connecticut, Naughton went to the University of Pennsylvania where he got his BA degree in English. From there he went to study at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (L.A.M.D.A.) in England.
I applied for a scholarship from Penn University which was to study anything in Great Britain: science, physics, drama, etc. It's basically getting a masters degree," said Naughton. "Only 8 people in the whole school were chosen. I was a finalist, but I wasn't chosen. However, I was accepted to L.A.M.D.A. on the basis of an audition I did in New York. I had a little routine worked out and I did a cartwheel at the end of the monologue, but the room was so small, I landed on the wall. So here I am on the hands, and all my change was falling out of my pockets. The man who auditioned me really cracked me up."
Naughton stayed in England for two years studying everything from fundamental acting techniques, voice and speech to fencing. He did all the classical plays: Shakespeare, Restoration comedies, Moliere, Sheraton, "School for Scandal," etc., but quit after his second year.
"The third year was basically for the English students, showcasing them. I wasn't able to work in England, so I returned to New York. you have to have what's similar to a green card here to work in England. It's harder if you're an actor. Everyone in England is an actor or would like to be. You figure 80% of the Union members are out of work, so they really discourage people from other countries coming in.
"When I moved back to the States, I was lucky. I got a job right away with Joe Papp and the New York Shakespeare Festival in the production of Hamlet.
"It was in New York that I tested for the Dr Pepper commercial. It was an open call audition. There were about 250 men who tried out. By the end of the day it was narrowed down to four people and I was one of them.
"The original concept of the commercial was that I should be a 'pied pepper' but we all agreed it wasn't sophisticated enough for today's consumer. It's really been a wonderful experience for me. I've gotten to travel around the country and meet the most interesting people.
"The star of any commercial is the product, but what I was able to accomplish the first year with the Pepper was to sell both me and the product."
It was from his commercials that Naughton was remembered by B.C.I., a New York casting agency, who suggested him for the lead in the short-lived NBC series, "Makin' It."
"We went from a hit to a flop in two weeks. The first night we had a 50 share, because we came after 'Mork and Mindy.' You can have a good or bad show but it's your time slot that does it. When we moved to 8:00pm, Friday nights, it put us against NBC's comedy hit of the season. It killed us."
Naughton asked R.S.O., the record company who owned the title song of the series, if he could have a chance at recording "Makin' It." Even though the series was not successful, the song became a hit. "Makin' It" soared to number 5 on the Top 40 charts and was later added to the "Meatballs" movie sound track album. Naughton became a disco star overnight.
It was because of his hit song and his Dr Pepper commercials that writers/directors Michael Nankin and David Wechter thought of Naughton for the lead in "Midnight Madness."
During the filming of "Midnight madness," Naughton and his actress wife, Denise, decided to move to California because the film business and record business is out west.
"I've just completed the film "Valentine' with Karen Black. I play a college student again. That's on reason why I'll miss New York and the theatre. It offers a much wider range of parts. I'd like to do character roles that I can't do out here.
"Ultimately, I'd like to have an act where I could sing, dance, do a little bit of everything. But it's difficult because people categorize you and a lot of times if you get into variet acts, you can't get a serious film part. I don't want to have to choose between singing and acting."
Currently, Naughton is working on a variety special for Dr Pepper where he will get a chance to do a little bit of everything.
Starring with David Naughton are Stephen Furst, Debra Clinger, Eddie Deezen, Maggie Roswell, Brad Wilkin and Irene Tedrow. In color by Technicolor, the film was co-producer, directed and writeen by David Wechter and Michael Nankin for producer Ron Miller. Buena Vista Releases.