Canadian-born David Steinberg, who has worn many hats during his entertainment career, first gained attention in the early 1960s as a member of Chicago's Second City comedy troupe. The acting career that followed placed him on Broadway in Jules Feiffer's "Little Murders" (1967) and "Carry Me Back to Morningside Heights" (1968), directed by Sidney Poitier, but the public came to know the dark and curly-haired comic primarily for his "sermons" on "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" (CBS), for his "mad psychiatrist" sketch and for coining the popular phrase, "Boogah, boogah."

A review by THE NEW YORK TIMES critic Dan Sullivan calling Steinberg "the most original comedian in years" opened the doors of television to him as both a writer and performer. The Smothers Brothers offered their platform and he began a long association with Johnny Carson in 1969, appearing frequently on "The Tonight Show" (NBC) until Carson's retirement put an end to that forum for his novel reflections. In addition to writing and performing, Steinberg hosted ABC's "The Music Scene" (1969-70) and his own "The David Steinberg Show" (CBS, 1972). Canada's version of "The David Steinberg Show" introduced Joe Flaherty, Dave Thomas, Martin Short, Andrea Martin and John Candy, who comprised the unforgettable "SCTV" troupe.

Starting in the 80s, Steinberg embarked on perhaps the most successful phase of his career, directing. He debuted with the feature "Paternity" (1981) and also helmed "Going Berserk" (1983) with Candy, Flaherty and Eugene Levy, but his staple has been the TV sitcom, beginning with an episode of "Newhart" (CBS) in 1982. Conspicuous during the 90s as a frequent director of the hits "Seinfeld" (NBC) and "Mad About You" (NBC), Steinberg has also directed among others, episodes of "The Golden Girls" (NBC), "Evening Shade" (CBS) and "Designing Women" (CBS), for which he also served as executive producer during its last year (1992-93). Among his rare appearances before the camera in the 80s and 90s, Steinberg played the role of Meegosh in Ron Howard's "Willow" (1988).