David Winters

Born David Weizer in London, England, as a child and teenager David Winters acted in many television shows and Broadway productions, including the initial line-up of the stage production of the musical “West Side Story,” playing the role of Baby John.In 1961, he appeared as A-Rab in the movie version of West Side Story (1961), recreating the “Cool” dance sequence, which was choreographed for him. He, Carole D’Andrea, Jay Norman, Tommy Abbott, William Bramley, and Tony Mordente, were the only members of the original Broadway Musical to be cast in the film. West Side Story (1961) was the highest-grossing Motion Picture that year and won 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The feature established David as a young star. He began to release music and had steady work acting.In 1964, he choreographed Viva Las Vegas (1964), starring Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret. He was seen regularly with his dance troupe in major TV shows such as Shindig! (1964) and Hullabaloo (1965). To his resume, he added three more Elvis Presley films (Girl Happy (1965), Tickle Me (1965), Easy Come, Easy Go (1967)), four films with Ann-Margret (Kitten with a Whip (1964), Bus Riley’s Back in Town (1965), Made in Paris (1966), The Swinger (1966)), The T.A.M.I. Show (1964), and many more projects for film and television.In 1967, he choreographed the television special Movin’ with Nancy (1967), for which he received an Emmy nomination for his choreography in the category Special Classification of Individual Achievements. Also that year, he began to direct. His first assignments were for two episodes of the television show The Monkees (1966).Shortly after he started producing, directing, and doing the choreography for star-studded television specials. These include The Ann-Margret Show (1968), Ann-Margret: From Hollywood with Love (1969) (for which he received his second Emmy nomination for dance choreography), Raquel (1970), Once Upon a Wheel (1971), The Special London Bridge Special (1972), Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1973) (nominated for three Emmys), and Timex All-Star Swing Festival (1972) (which won a Peabody Award and a Christopher Award for Winters as producer).Winters began to produce and direct films in 1975. His first effort was the concert film Alice Cooper: Welcome to My Nightmare (1975). Shortly after he was hired to choreograph A Star Is Born (1976), starring Barbra Streisand. In 1982, he produced, directed, wrote, and co-starred in The Last Horror Film (1982). The film received several accolades through its festival run.In 1986, he directed the first film about skateboarding Thrashin’ (1986), starring Josh Brolin and Pamela Gidley. The movie is known for its soundtrack ,with songs by Red Hot Chili Peppers (who play a set in the film), Fine Young Cannibals, and The Bangles. The film also maintains a following. The next year, he founded his production and distribution company, “Action International Pictures”, later renamed “West Side Studios”, which he ran until the late 1990s.In the 2000s, he directed Welcome 2 Ibiza (2003) which won the Bangkok Film Festival Audience Award. He also produced the historical epic The King Maker (2005). In 2015, he released Dancin’: It’s on! (2015), starring winners and runner-ups of So You Think You Can Dance (2005) and Dancing with the Stars (2005). He reconnected with his passion for dancing and won the best director award at the WideScreen Film Festival.