David Gallagher
He grew up on America's television screens, evolving from a child model into the dependable heart of a long-running family drama.
Born 1985 (age 41)·American actor and model·Birthday: February 9·Millennials
Biography
David Gallagher played Simon Camden on '7th Heaven' for eleven seasons, anchoring the WB family drama from 1996. He started as a child model at age two and took early film roles in 'Look Who's Talking Now.' On television, his performance earned a Teen Choice Award. Parallel to live-action work, Gallagher voiced Riku, the conflicted character in the 'Kingdom Hearts' video game series, across numerous titles. As an adult, he stepped back from regular on-screen roles. His tenure as Simon Camden made him a defining face of late-90s and early-2000s family television.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
David was born in 1985, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When David Was Born
The biggest hits of 1985
#1 Movie
Back to the Future
Best Picture
Out of Africa
#1 TV Show
Dynasty
David's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1985Born
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1990Started school
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1998Became a teenager
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Could drive
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2003Could vote
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Turned 21
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2015Turned 30
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2025Turned 40
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 41 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Portrayed Simon Camden for the entire 11-season run of the television series '7th Heaven'.
- Won the Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Sidekick in 1999 for his role on '7th Heaven'.
- Voiced the key character Riku in nearly every main installment of the 'Kingdom Hearts' video game franchise.
- Was nominated for five Young Artist Awards for his work as a child and teen actor.
Did You Know?
He was the on-screen little brother to both Jessica Biel and Barry Watson on '7th Heaven'.
He provided the voice of the young Clark Kent in the 'Superman: Brainiac Attacks' animated film.
He graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in Political Science.
His first acting role was in a commercial for Fisher-Price toys when he was two years old.
“I grew up on set; it taught me to observe life quietly.”
