David was born in Buffalo, New York and grew up in Philadelphia. At the young age of seven he decide to be an actor which eventually led him to study acting at Ithaca College in New York. After graduating from college David moved to Los Angeles in order to pursue a career in the movies. After some uncredited roles he received his first important role as Kelly's boyfriend in the series _"Married... with Children" (1987)_. After three seasons of playing Angel in the hit series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (1997), he received his own spin-off show titled _"Angel" (1999/I)_.
