David Bruce Mcdonald

David was born in San Angelo, TX to Don and Barbara McDonald (nee Earle) on January 18, 1959. He attended Abraham Lincoln High School and the University of Cincinnati, where he studied acting.

David was an actor on and off Broadway for over 40 years. Memorable performances include Les Miserables, Mamma Mia, Side Show, Memphis, Dr. Zhivago, Man of La Mancha (about which the New York Times wrote, “David McDonald is nothing short of magnificent.”), and, most recently, Kinky Boots.

He lived an incredible and passionate life. David unabashedly loved his family, his friends, any animal that crossed his path, and, for better or worse, the Denver Broncos. Truly and profoundly funny, he was (and perhaps remains) everyone’s favorite uncle, dearest friend, and one of the better McDonalds of the millions likely out there. Whether you saw him onstage, met him backstage, chatted at a gathering full of people, or got to know him personally and deeply, odds are he made you laugh and made you feel like the most important person in the room.

He will be remembered for his kindness, genuine warmth, inclusiveness, his infectious and booming laugh, incredible voice, brilliant talent, and how deeply he loved those close to him. David was preceded in death by his father Donald McDonald, his brother Robert McDonald, his nephew Jaden McDonald, his step-father Dr. Daniel Maklansky, and his step-brother Michael Maklansky.

David is survived by his wife Pilar Millhollen, his children Max McDonald and Alyssa McDonald, his mother Barbara Maklansky, his brother Don McDonald (Debie), his sister Suzanne Dooley (Michael) his step-brothers Stephen Maklansky and Joseph Maklansky (Debbie), and so many wonderful nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.

A celebration of David’s life will be held at 10:30am July 31, 2022 at Riverside Memorial Chapel, 180 W 76th St. NY, NY 10023. In lieu of flowers, his children suggest donations in David’s name can be made to Planned Parenthood (plannedparenthood.org) and The Actors Fund (actorsfund.org).

The family of David McDonald wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the entire MICU staff at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital on the Upper West Side, the amazing people at Live On New York, and everyone else who has shared their compassion, memories, and love for this wonderful man!