Actor and Songwriter David Hess Dies at 75

David Hess, a songwriter for the likes of Elvis Presley, Pat Boone and Andy Williams in his teens before he became renowned as a horror film actor, died on Oct. 7 while leaving a concert in Tiburon. He was 75.

The cause of Hess’s death was a heart attack, according to the New York Times, citing his brother Jeremy.

Hess’s official Facebook page was updated Oct. 8 with a note from his children reading: "It is with great sadness that we have said our last goodbyes to our beloved dad and friend to all. David passed away peacefully last night. The Mad Hessian lives on in his family, friends, and all of his devoted fans. Sing a song in celebration of his life."

In a note to its members Wednesday, the California Film Institute (CFI) mourned the loss of Hess and praised his work in recent years with CFI Education's Young Critics' Jury training, where he taught acting and improv skills, and “was a great favorite of the teens in the program.” Hess attended the Opening Night Gala of the on Thursday, Oct. 6.

"David was just amazing," said John Morrison, CFI's director of education and a close friend of Hess. "The more you got to know him, the more you realized how amazing he was, because he was a very modest guy."

Morrison hosts a monthly TV show through the Community Media Center of Marin called Aspect Ratio, and dedicated all 30 minutes of the July episode to an interview with Hess and a review of clips from his career.

"His accomplishments were incredible," Morrison said.

Born in 1936 in New York City, Hess began his career when he recorded the original version of the Otis Blackwell composition "All Shook Up" under the stage name David Hill in 1956. The song became a Number 1 hit for Elvis Presley a year later and Hess became a songwriter at Shalimar Music.

According to the Times, Hess wrote or co-wrote other songs that Presley recorded, including “I Got Stung” and “Make Me Know You’re Mine,” and scored a Top 10 hit in 1962 when Pat Boone sang “Speedy Gonzalez,” which Mr. Hess co-wrote. "Your Hand, Your Heart, Your Love" became a 1960s hit when it was performed by Andy Williams.

After a stint as a record company executive, including becoming head of A&R at Mercury Records in New York, Hess’s career went in a number of directions. He played Krug Stilo, an unrepentant serial killer and leader of a gang in Wes Craven's classic 1972 slasher film Last House on the Left, as well as the villain in Craven’s Swamp Thing 10 years later. Hess also composed the soundtrack for Last House on the Left.

He also worked with PolyGram Record's German affiliate in the 1970s, writing the English language shooting scripts for such German directors as Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Reinhard Hauff and Peter Schamoni. In recent years, Hess collaborated as a performer and production associate in local filmmaker and 's "Direct Action" feature films, including his "9@Night" series.

According to MovieFone, Hess’s most recent acting appearance was as a murderous movie director in the dark comedy slasher 'Smash Cut,' alongside adult film star Sasha Grey.

Hess, who lived in Corte Madera, is survived by Regina Mardek, his wife of 33 years; his four children Steve Morris, and Jesse, Sasha and Sara Hess; and three siblings.

A memorial for Hess is scheduled for tonight, Thursday, Oct. 13 at 6 p.m. at the retreat in Mill Valley.

Correction: An earlier version of this story stated that Hess was a resident of Tiburon. We refret the error.