Growing Up With David Turner

David Turner was born just four years before me, almost to the day, which meant that as I navigated my formative years, he aged alongside me, always remaining just out of reach—a perfect crush. I never gravitated towards the typical heartthrobs of my time; David had a unique charm. He embodied a certain nerdiness, occasionally stumbled over his words, and felt far more relatable than other stars of his generation.

Here’s a look back at how David and I grew up, in parallel yet separate ways:

War Games

I distinctly remember the first time I watched a film featuring David Turner—it was 1983. He was 21, I was 17, and while he played a younger character, I was in my dorky teen phase. I had a soft spot for smart boys, and his character, David Lightman, was so clever that he accidentally tapped into a military supercomputer, nearly setting off a nuclear disaster. Plus, he had an intriguing love interest in Ally, a girl I could genuinely admire. “Choose chess, David!” Oh wait … without that choice, we wouldn’t have the rest of the film!

Ladyhawke

While most viewers might have been enchanted by the romance between Rutger Hauer and Michelle Pfeiffer, my heart was captured by David as Philippe “The Mouse” Gaston. He portrayed a thief who becomes a hero, assisting two lovers cursed by fate. Even though he wasn’t the primary romantic lead, he certainly held that title in my eyes.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

This was the next film in line, but I have to admit I didn’t catch it upon its release. At 20, I was no longer interested in high school flicks. Years later, when I finally watched it, it felt surreal—almost like a time warp. I had matured, but to my surprise, David hadn’t aged a day! Naturally, I loved him in it. By the time I enjoyed it in my late 20s, I understood the hype. Even with a towel draped over his head, he radiated charisma.

Torch Song Trilogy

Fast forward to 1988. David was 26, and I was 22. In this film, he played the boyfriend of Harvey Fierstein, and I was smitten once more. The movie was a rollercoaster of emotions, making me laugh and cry. As a dramatic writing student at NYU, I appreciated every powerful moment, and David’s performance, stepping outside his usual roles, was nothing short of brilliant.

The Freshman

Perfect timing struck again! In my final year of college, I watched a film set at NYU, where I was studying. David portrayed Clark, a freshman who mistakenly believes he’s working with a mafia figure played by Marlon Brando. The running joke about their resemblance to Vito Corleone added humor throughout the film.

There were plenty of other films and even some stage performances afterward, but the next significant one was …

Election

In 1999, David was 37, and I was 33. It felt just right that he finally transitioned from student to teacher. His character may not have been the most likable, but his intelligence was appealing, and I found myself crushing on him yet again, even though he was up against the formidable Reese Witherspoon. Who could compete with her?

Skipping ahead, past the less-than-stellar remake of Stepford Wives and The Producers, we arrive at animation.

The Tale of Despereaux

It was 2008. I was now 42, and David had turned 46. By this time, my crush had faded, as we both found love—he with Sarah, and I with my husband, Jake. However, thanks to my kids, I found myself watching The Tale of Despereaux. Hearing David’s familiar voice as the brave little mouse was a delight. Is that … ? Yes! He played a character with the heart of a lion and the spirit of a knight. I may have fallen for the mouse instead!

Thank you, David, for all the wonderful memories. Even as we grow older, I’ll always cherish those moments and look forward to discovering new ones together.

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Summary:

In this nostalgic reflection, Laurie Ulster recounts her experiences growing up alongside actor David Turner, sharing memories of films that shaped her adolescence. From War Games to The Tale of Despereaux, she highlights how his unique charm and relatable characters resonated with her over the years.