A veteran actor equally at home in films (F.I.S.T., 1978; The Onion Field, 1979; Blood Beach, 1981; Firefox, 1982) and television movies (Eleanor and Franklin, 1976), Huffman (born May 10, 1945) was currently appearing in San Diego, California in the Old Globe Theatre stage production, Of Mice and Men. On February 27, 1985, the 40-year-old actor was walking in Balboa Park not far from the theatre when a Canadian couple spotted someone rifling their motor home. Huffman gave chase to the intruder, but when he failed to return, the tourists assumed the prowler escaped and their protector left the park. Later that day, Huffman's body was found in a narrow crevice off a nature trail by a group of school children on a field trip. An autopsy determined that he had been stabbed five times in the chest and abdomen with a screwdriver. The Canadian tourists notified San Diego police after seeing Huffman's photo in a newspaper account of the murder. Their description of the intruder combined with fingerprints left in the motor home led to the arrest of Mexican-born Genaro Samano Villanueva, a 16-year-old illegal alien living in the city with relatives since November 1984, was ordered to stand trial as an adult. While admitting that he stabbed Huffman to death out of fear that his pursuer would either kill or turn him over to police, Villanueva pleaded for forgiveness insisting he never meant to kill the man. Rejecting a defense motion to place the teenager in the California Youth Authority until the age of 25, Superior Court Jude Norbert Ehrenfreund sentenced Villanueva to the maximum term of 26 years to life on June 2, 1986. In asking the judge for the stiffest possible sentence, Huffman's wife, Phyllis, stated, "I adored that man for 20 years. He was life, not just to me but to all of us. The loss is immeasurable and is impossible to articulate." As of April 2014, Inmate #D30762 was incarcerated at the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison in Corcoran under the name "Genaro Villanueva-Samano."Tuesday, April 15, 2014
David Oliver Huffman -- The Good Samaritan
A veteran actor equally at home in films (F.I.S.T., 1978; The Onion Field, 1979; Blood Beach, 1981; Firefox, 1982) and television movies (Eleanor and Franklin, 1976), Huffman (born May 10, 1945) was currently appearing in San Diego, California in the Old Globe Theatre stage production, Of Mice and Men. On February 27, 1985, the 40-year-old actor was walking in Balboa Park not far from the theatre when a Canadian couple spotted someone rifling their motor home. Huffman gave chase to the intruder, but when he failed to return, the tourists assumed the prowler escaped and their protector left the park. Later that day, Huffman's body was found in a narrow crevice off a nature trail by a group of school children on a field trip. An autopsy determined that he had been stabbed five times in the chest and abdomen with a screwdriver. The Canadian tourists notified San Diego police after seeing Huffman's photo in a newspaper account of the murder. Their description of the intruder combined with fingerprints left in the motor home led to the arrest of Mexican-born Genaro Samano Villanueva, a 16-year-old illegal alien living in the city with relatives since November 1984, was ordered to stand trial as an adult. While admitting that he stabbed Huffman to death out of fear that his pursuer would either kill or turn him over to police, Villanueva pleaded for forgiveness insisting he never meant to kill the man. Rejecting a defense motion to place the teenager in the California Youth Authority until the age of 25, Superior Court Jude Norbert Ehrenfreund sentenced Villanueva to the maximum term of 26 years to life on June 2, 1986. In asking the judge for the stiffest possible sentence, Huffman's wife, Phyllis, stated, "I adored that man for 20 years. He was life, not just to me but to all of us. The loss is immeasurable and is impossible to articulate." As of April 2014, Inmate #D30762 was incarcerated at the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison in Corcoran under the name "Genaro Villanueva-Samano."
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I was in the cast of the production of "Of Mice And Men" that David was starring in. I've never forgotten and never will forget this nightmare all of us went through 28 years ago. His wife has since died, and his sons are now close to the age he was when his life was cut short. His killer is still in prison and I still feel blessed to have known this man. I have often thought of his sons and still pray that they have found the happiness and peace their parents wanted for them.
ReplyDeleteWhat a HORROR this MURDER was ! I feel so GRIEVED for his late wife: Phyllis Grennan-Huffman and their 2 sons over this HORRIBLE MURDER!
DeleteI remember David in REMINGTON Steele S1 ep 19 so sad!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved Huffman's acting. He seemed to bring something special to every character I have seen him play. From FIST, Little House, Firefox, and my favorite lol being St. Helens. He put his own life at risk that fateful day for others. I can only imagine the career this man would have had, he was a man of character! My thoughts go out to his family. Reunited with his wife and both watching their two boys. May his assailant continue to serve a just punishment for the amazing life he took, and may his sons know their parents are special and not forgotten.
ReplyDeleteI was 13 when he was murdered. Recently I was watching the film Firefox and saw him in it. He had a familiar face that I remember seeing on TV as a kid. I wondered what happened to him and why I didn’t see him in anything since. What a tragedy. He did light up the screen with authority. He was good. RIP
ReplyDeleteIt is widely believed that actor David Huffman was openly gay and that he had had multiple affairs with gay men but whether or not this can be proven has been debated. There's one theory that on the night of his murder, Huffman was seen with a 16-year-old Mexican boy by the name of Genaro Villanueva, who later killed him and had enter the U.S. illegally. Huffman was trying to get Genaro a job in Hollywood because the kid wanted to act. Later on that night, Huffman and the boy may or may not have engaged in homosexual intercourse and when Huffman wanted to continue, Genaro said he had to go home. But Huffman locked the door so that the kid couldn't leave. The boy started yelling at Huffman that if he didn't let him go, he was gonna tell everyone that Huffman raped him. Huffman wouldn't have it and so he tried to strangle Genaro. Genaro then grabbed a screwdriver and stabbed Huffman multiple times, killing him. He later confessed to the killing but did not face serious prison time until he was 18. He now has remorse over the killing and has constantly admitted that he wishes he could have handled it differently. But I'm just going by what I heard. You be the judge. What a great actor gone too soon. RIP David Huffman.
ReplyDeleteWhether or not he was gay is not my business, but whatever you heard as the facts surrounding the murder is completely wrong. He was murdered in broad daylight, and was found in the canyon at the park, where the police said he died, and his body was not moved etc.
DeleteI’ve heard many people who actually knew the man say he was a wonderful family man.
I’m not sure where you’re hearing your information from, but please be careful about repeating things that you don’t know to be true. He has two adult sons that could potentially read this.
My apologies, Lori. It's just that I thought that was what happened. And you're right. I SHOULD be careful what I say about David Huffman. Had no idea he has two sons. I would like to apologize to them also. I did not know your father nor did I ever meet him. I heard these rumors from a friend who saw one of his films and after he told me someone overheard our conversation and told us to be careful about what we said because it might not be true. I'm now under the impression that he too was wrong. I just wanted to clear things up with you because I don't wanna get in trouble. I'll try to do more research on David Huffman and if there's anything I missed, please let me know. I appreciate you telling me this. I have no idea why my friend told me that story but I guess he was going by what he heard. I'm starting to see now that fake news is NOT to be trusted. And to David Huffman's family, I am deeply sorry for saying he was gay. And I'm sorry for saying he was murdered at night. As for how it happened, I'm also sorry for the misinformation on that as well. If anyone can educate me on this, I would deeply appreciate it. Thanks, Lori. You are a friend.
ReplyDeleteHey friends. It's been a long time since I've posted on here and I wanna give you a quick update. I managed to find out some more information on David Huffman and it turns out that he had a wife, Phyllis. His widow continues his legacy by letting people know what an extraordinary actor he was and by keeping his film career alive. Even though David himself is long gone, Phyllis Huffman continues to showcase his films to people in Hollywood as well as educate people on what a fantastic career he had as an actor. It makes me realize that David Huffman was more than just an actor-he was a man. Never again will I misjudge his history. He truly was the greatest. I just thought I'd let you guys know that since it's been a while since I've been on here. I don't usually visit this site but when I do I make it a point to respect the guidelines if any and always be thorough. If there's anything I missed or anything I got wrong, please let me know. I'm not too good at this online thing so please forgive me. Anyway, that's all I have. See ya.
ReplyDeleteShame on you for your original comment! You were wrong on all issues. And last year you said you researched David and that his wife was continuing his legacy. If you HAD researched him you would have found out she died SEVERAL years ago. You need a new hobby. And make it one where you don't hurt people. You still have time to be a good person!
DeleteYou have some nerve- gets your story straight Moron!! I knew DAvid - you couldn’t find a nicer guy. A good friend, a good man who would help anyone. I hope his killer rots in jail. We think and pray for you David everyday. Rest in peace!!
ReplyDeleteYou are not straight in the cabeza. Please seek help immediately.
DeleteSaddened to hear such horrible factless comments. This serves as cautionary tale of what unchecked illegal immigration brings, crime victims, instability, and unsustainable economic hardships. Most importantly are the lives lost to the victims of crime at the hands of illegal immigrants. RiP David Huffman still a favorite actor of mine 👍
ReplyDeleteTragic untimely Loss!
ReplyDeleteI met & worked with David Huffman in Vancouver, he was a terrific guy & a very talented actor, I remember him playing the bagpipes beautifully
sitting on a rock overlooking the water I’d an interest in the instrument and he gifted me his spare Chanter, which I still treasure to this day
Could we agree to cancel harrey & meg
ReplyDeletePost re the wonderful David Huffman a tribute by k g ramsey
ReplyDeleteI just recently watched St. Helen’s, for the first time since it originally aired when I was a child, and had always wondered what happened to David, as his performance was so authentic and humble. Such a tragic ending to a beautiful life cut entirely too short. Here it is 2024 and his body of work is still having a positive effect on people, such as myself, till this very day. As much as we are to “forgive” others for their transgressions, I nonetheless cannot help but wish that his killer never gets out of prison.
ReplyDelete