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