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David Kernan

1938 – 2023

British actor

Actor Singer Musical theatre actor
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About David Kernan

Lived 1938 – 2023 (aged 85). David Kernan was a British actor, singer and musical theatre actor.

David Stanley Kernan (23 June 1938 – 26 December 2023) was an English actor, best known as an interpreter of the songs of Stephen Sondheim. Kernan appeared in stage musicals and was a soloist in various British variety shows throughout the 1960s and 1970s including That Was the Week That Was (1962–1963).

Early life David Stanley Kernan was born 23 June 1938 in East Ham, London, to Joseph and Lily ( Russell) Kernan. His father abandoned the family shortly after his birth. At the age of four, Kernan was sent to live with his grandmother in Oxford.

A short time later, Kernan began acting with the Bournemouth Shakespeare Players. He also made two appearances on BBC TV's long running music hall variety show, The Good Old Days, in the 1970s and 1980s.

Television Kernan made his television debut singing with Millicent Martin on the BBC current affairs series Tonight. Producer Ned Sherrin so liked the pair that he hired them to appear on That Was the Week That Was in 1962.

Personal life and death Kernan entered into a civil partnership with Stuart Forsyth in 2008. The pair married in 2014. He was survived by his husband, Stuart Forsyth.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Also known as
David Stanley Kernan

People in David Kernan's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped David Kernan's

Frequently asked questions

Who was David Kernan?

British actor (1938–2023)

When was David Kernan born?

David Kernan was born on 23 June 1938 in London.

When did David Kernan die?

David Kernan died on 26 December 2023.

What was David Kernan's occupation?

David Kernan was an actor, singer and musical theatre actor.

What nationality was David Kernan?

David Kernan was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: David Kernan

· Wikidata: Q5235960

· DBpedia: David Kernan

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). David Kernan. https://biography.guide/david-kernan/

MLA: "David Kernan." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/david-kernan/.

Chicago: "David Kernan." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/david-kernan/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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