David Burkhart

David Burkhart is an American actor and filmmaker known for intense, character-driven performances across film and stage. With a career spanning over 50 stage productions and nearly two decades of screen work (beginning with his first movie in 2009), Burkhart has developed a reputation for a meticulous, "craftsman" approach to storytelling. He gained national recognition for his portrayal of Charles Manson in the feature Manson: Summer of Blood and the Reelz series Murder Made Me Famous, earning praise in People and Us Weekly for his screen presence. His stage credits include iconic roles at the historic Pollard Theatre and a celebrated turn as Larry Sultan in Pictures From Home at Carpenter Square Theatre, as well as BroadwayWorld OKC award-winning performances as the villain in Ben Butler (Best Supporting Performer in a Play, 2024) and in Little Women (Best Supporting Performer in a Play, 2022). Beyond the lens, Burkhart serves as the Production Manager for the University of Oklahoma’s Department of Film and Media Studies and is the founder of the upcoming Vagrant Cat Theatre Co. His work as an educator and independent producer informs a process dedicated to documenting the human experience with purpose and precision.