David Garrison
He brought suburban desperation to life as the hapless neighbor Steve Rhoades on the long-running sitcom 'Married... with Children'.
Born 1952 (age 74)·American actor·Birthday: June 30·Baby Boomers
Biography
David Garrison carved a durable niche in American television and theater with a career defined by sharp comic timing and a reliable presence. While millions know him as the perpetually exasperated banker Steve Rhoades, forever tormented by the Bundys next door, his roots and passions are firmly planted on the stage. A trained singer and actor, Garrison has spent decades in musical theater, finding a signature role as the enigmatic Wizard in the blockbuster musical 'Wicked'. He originated the part in the show's first national tour and later brought it to Broadway, demonstrating a versatility that stretched far beyond sitcom neighborly angst. His career is a testament to the working actor's journey, moving seamlessly between the bright lights of prime-time and the demanding rigors of live performance, always leaving a distinct, memorable impression.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
David was born in 1952, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When David Was Born
The biggest hits of 1952
#1 Movie
The Greatest Show on Earth
Best Picture
The Greatest Show on Earth
#1 TV Show
I Love Lucy
David's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1952Born
Queen Elizabeth II ascends the throne
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $8,350Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Blue Tango" — Leroy AndersonBest Picture: The Greatest Show on Earth
1957Started school
Sputnik launches the Space Age
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $10,550Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"All Shook Up" — Elvis PresleyBest Picture: The Bridge on the River Kwai
1965Became a teenager
US sends combat troops to Vietnam
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $13,600Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" — The Rolling StonesBest Picture: The Sound of Music
1968Could drive
Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy assassinated
Gas: $0.34/galHome: $14,950Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"Hey Jude" — The BeatlesBest Picture: Oliver!
1970Could vote
First Earth Day; The Beatles break up
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $17,000Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Bridge over Troubled Water" — Simon & GarfunkelBest Picture: Patton
1973Turned 21
US withdraws from Vietnam; Roe v. Wade decided
Gas: $0.39/galHome: $22,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" — Tony Orlando & DawnBest Picture: The Sting
1982Turned 30
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1992Turned 40
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2002Turned 50
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2012Turned 60
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 70
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 74 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Originated the role of The Wizard in the first national tour of the Broadway musical 'Wicked'.
- Played the recurring character Steve Rhoades for five seasons on the iconic Fox sitcom 'Married... with Children'.
- Portrayed The Wizard in the Broadway production of 'Wicked', taking over the role in 2005.
Did You Know?
He is a graduate of the prestigious Juilliard School's drama division.
He performed the role of The Wizard in 'Wicked' over 2,000 times across various productions.
He appeared in the original Broadway cast of the musical 'The Pirates of Penzance' in 1980.
“A good comedy is built on the rhythm of the scene and the truth of the reaction.”
