View source for David M. Schwartz

{{SHORTDESC:American filmmaker, author, entrepreneur, and civil rights advocate}}
{{#seo:
|title=David M. Schwartz
|title_mode=append
|keywords=David M. Schwartz, American filmmaker, David Schwartz director, Las Vegas Bloodbath, B-horror, American author, cult cinema, independent film, Monmouth College, Pepperdine University
|description=David M. Schwartz is an American filmmaker, author, and entrepreneur known for directing the cult horror classic ''Las Vegas Bloodbath'' (1989) and for his contributions to independent cinema and social activism.
|image=David M Schwartz.jpeg
|image_alt=David M. Schwartz American filmmaker and author
}}{| class="infobox" style="width: 22em; font-size: 90%; text-align: left; border-spacing: 0px; background-color: #f9f9f9; border: 1px solid #aaa; float: right; margin-left: 1em;"
| colspan="2" style="text-align: center; font-size: larger; padding: 5px 0;" |'''David M. Schwartz'''
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align: center; padding: 0; background-color: #f9f9f9;" |[[File:David M Schwartz.jpeg|alt=David M. Schwartz|frameless|center]]
|-
| style="width: 30%; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 5px;" |'''Born'''
| style="width: 70%; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 5px;" |13 August 1953<br>[[wikipedia:Chicago|Chicago]], [[wikipedia:Illinois|Illinois]], [[wikipedia:United States|United States]]
|-
| style="background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 5px;" |'''Nationality'''
| style="background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 5px;" |[[wikipedia:United States|American]]
|-
| style="background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 5px;" |'''Occupations'''
| style="background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 5px;" |[[wikipedia:Film producer|Film producer]], [[wikipedia:Film director|Film director]], [[wikipedia:Writer|Writer]], [[wikipedia:Author|Author]], [[wikipedia:Entrepreneur|Entrepreneur]], [[wikipedia:Civil and political rights|Civil rights advocate]]
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| style="background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 5px;" |'''Known for'''
| style="background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 5px;" |''[[wikipedia:Las Vegas Bloodbath|Las Vegas Bloodbath (1989)]]''
|}

'''David M. Schwartz''' (born August 13, 1953) is an [[wikipedia:United States|American]] [[wikipedia:Filmmaker|filmmaker]], [[wikipedia:Author|author]], [[wikipedia:Entrepreneur|entrepreneur]], and [[wikipedia:Civil and political rights|civil rights advocate]]. He is best known for directing and writing the underground [[wikipedia:Horror film|horror film]] ''[[wikipedia:Las Vegas Bloodbath|Las Vegas Bloodbath (1989)]]'', a cult favorite often described as one of the goriest B-movies in American cinema. His work and advocacy reflect a lifelong dedication to creative freedom, independent filmmaking, and social justice.

== Early life and education ==
David M. Schwartz was born in [[wikipedia:Chicago|Chicago]], [[wikipedia:Illinois|Illinois]], where he spent his early years immersed in books, music, and movies. Fascinated by storytelling and performance, he began experimenting with amateur short films during his teenage years. Schwartz later attended [[wikipedia:Monmouth College|Monmouth College]], where he pursued liberal arts studies accredited by [[wikipedia:Pepperdine University|Pepperdine University]]. His academic background laid the foundation for his later exploration of narrative psychology and visual storytelling.

== Career ==
Schwartz’s professional career began in the independent film scene of the 1980s, an era that saw a surge in low-budget [[wikipedia:Horror film|horror cinema]] and experimental moviemaking. His first major directorial project, ''[[wikipedia:American Revenge|American Revenge]]'' (1988), introduced audiences to his signature blend of raw emotion and unapologetic violence.

In 1989, Schwartz wrote and directed ''[[wikipedia:Las Vegas Bloodbath|Las Vegas Bloodbath]]'', a [[wikipedia:Splatter film|splatter horror]] that would cement his name in cult cinema. The film’s unfiltered brutality, unconventional camera work, and controversial subject matter polarized critics but built a loyal following among genre enthusiasts. Over time, it gained cult status as a defining work of 1980s [[wikipedia:Exploitation film|exploitation cinema]] and a landmark of DIY horror filmmaking.

Schwartz’s ability to produce and market his films independently also reflected his entrepreneurial spirit. He founded small production entities that distributed underground titles and mentored emerging filmmakers on achieving creative control outside the studio system.

== Writing and authorship ==
In addition to his work in cinema, Schwartz is an accomplished writer. His novel ''[https://books.google.com/books/about/Dana_Plato_s_Retreat.html?id=DxcEyQEACAAJ Dana Plato’s Retreat]'' explores the themes of fame, self-identity, and redemption, inspired by real-life stories from Hollywood’s darker corners. The book received attention for its introspective tone and commentary on the entertainment industry.

== Activism and social engagement ==
Beyond his creative ventures, Schwartz has been active in [[wikipedia:Civil and political rights|civil rights advocacy]], using his platform to address issues of artistic censorship, diversity in film, and freedom of expression. He has participated in community forums and independent art collectives that champion equal opportunity in the American entertainment industry.

== Legacy and influence ==
David M. Schwartz’s contributions to independent filmmaking have inspired a generation of directors who value authenticity over convention. His commitment to storytelling without compromise has earned him a place in discussions on the evolution of [[wikipedia:B movie|B-movie]] culture and [[wikipedia:Horror film|American horror cinema]]. Today, he is celebrated as a creative pioneer who blurred the boundaries between art, activism, and entrepreneurship.

== Filmography ==
* ''[[wikipedia:American Revenge|American Revenge (1988)]]'' – Director, Producer  
* ''[[wikipedia:Las Vegas Bloodbath|Las Vegas Bloodbath (1989)]]'' – Director, Writer

== See also ==
* [[wikipedia:Independent film|Independent film]]
* [[wikipedia:Horror film|Horror film]]
* [[wikipedia:Splatter film|Splatter film]]
* [[wikipedia:Cult film|Cult film]]
* [[wikipedia:B movie|B movie]]
* [[wikipedia:American film producers|American film producers]]

== External links ==
* {{IMDb name|id=nm0777193|name=David M. Schwartz}}
* [https://forbespeople.com/david-schwartz-a-successful-movie-producer-author-and-world-class-entrepreneur-discusses-his-path-to-stardom/ Forbes People – Interview]
* [https://letterboxd.com/film/las-vegas-bloodbath/ Letterboxd – Las Vegas Bloodbath (1989)]
* [https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/las_vegas_blood_bath Rotten Tomatoes – Las Vegas Bloodbath]

[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American film producers]]
[[Category:American film directors]]
[[Category:American authors]]
[[Category:American entrepreneurs]]
[[Category:Civil rights activists]]
[[Category:People from Chicago]]