Famous Daves - a Guide

I was reading a story to my son last night - a Dr. Seuss story about Mrs. McCave, who had 23 sons and named them all Dave. This got me to thinking about all those famous Dave's out there. It's easy to find people with famous last names, but it's tougher when looking at only first names. I didn't want David's, no Davey's and such. Just famous Dave's. I had hoped to find 23 such famous Dave's. But that was too difficult, so here are my faves.

Dave Thomas

This Dave is most famous for square hamburgers and the more than 800 commercials he appeared in. As founder and CEO of Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburgers, Dave Thomas is truly a rags to riches success story.

Dave Matthews

This famous Dave originally came from South Africa, but began his musical career in Charlottesville, Virginia. While working as a bartender at Miller's, a local watering hole, Dave Matthews began performing local gigs as a musician, and the rest, as they say, is history. His full name is David John Matthews.

Dave Chappelle

The son of two professors, Dave Chappelle made his big screen debut as "Achoo" in the Mel Brooks comedy, Robin Hood: Men in Tights. A later guest appearance on Home Improvement caught the eye of TV execs. Chappele was tapped for a sitcome series, Buddies, in 1996, but it was a ratings flop and was quickly cancelled. In 2003, Chappelle scored big with his own sketch comedy show on Comedy Central, Chappelle's Show.

Dave of Dave and Buster's

Half-restaurant, half-arcade, Dave and Buster's is a restaurant and entertainment business that started in 1982 in Dallas, Texas. The famous Dave in this case is David Corriveau co-founder of Dave and Busters along with James "Buster" Corely. The two began the Dave and Buster's concept as neighboring businessmen. Back in the 1970s, Buster ran a restaurant and Dave ran "Slick Willy's World of Entertainment" an arcade for adults. Dave and Buster each began noticing that customers would often play in Dave's arcade then go to Buster's to eat. The two decided to combine their businesses into one, and the first Dave and Buster's was born.

Dave Navarro

This musician catapulted to fame as the lead guitarist of the legendary alternative-rock band Jane's Addiction. After a stint with Red Hot Chili Peppers and session work with Marylin Manson and Guns N' Roses, Navarro began co-hosting the reality show Rock Star: INXS.

Dave Ramsey

As a nationally syndicated talk radio host and financial counselor, this famous Dave is not necessarily as famous as some of his entertainment counterparts. Still, as a successful businessman, author, entrepreneur, real estate developer, and featured guest on Oprah and the Early Show on CBS, Ramsey has brought his debt-free living message to millions.

Dave Winfield

Despite a stellar 22-year career in the Major's, including induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame, this famous Dave might be best remembered by many for accidentally killing a seagull with a thrown ball during a warm up.

Dave Barry

Long-time humor columnist for the Miami Herald, Dave Barry won a Pulitzer Prize in 1988 for using "humor as a device for presenting fresh insights into serious concerns." In October, 2004 Barry took an indefinite leave of absence, and by 2005, the indefinite leave of absence turned into a definite leave when Barry announced he wouldn't be returning to his weekly column.

If you know of any other Famous Dave's you'd like to add to the list, please leave a comment. I'd considered Astronaut Dave Bowman, from Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, Super Dave, Dave Allen and others, but decided to limit the number of famous Daves out of deference to Mrs. McCave.