David Naughton

In the world of Hollywood leading men, David Naughton exemplified the ideal switch artist. The classically trained actor transformed from an obscure stage performer into one of the 1970s most popular personalities in a variety of genres. Naughton exuberantly sang and danced his way into fame as the star of the popular "Be a Pepper" ad campaigns for the Dr. Pepper soft drink. With cheeky, over-the-top dance numbers and that ubiquitous jingle, "I'm a Pepper, she's a Pepper," Naughton seemingly converted an entire nation into Dr. Pepper fans. He parlayed his newfound success - and heartthrob status - into a starring role on the short-lived sitcom "Makin' It" (ABC, 1979) as well as sang the 1979 gold single of the same name. Naughton then went from pretty boy to a brutal beast in the cult horror film "An American Werewolf in London" (1981), a story of two American college boys who were attacked by a werewolf while backpacking in London. The iconic gore fest saw Naughton play against type, show off his physical prowess and deadly bicuspids, and cemented his place as one of the most definitive actors in the horror film genre.