David Canary was born in Elwood, Indiana on August 25, 1938. He worked on Broadway and in television and films for many years before joining the cast of All My Children in 1983 as tycoon Adam Chandler, later adding the role of Adam’s gentle twin brother Stuart.

Canary attended the University of Cincinnati on a football scholarship, played varsity ball throughout his college career, was a Pop Warner Scholastic All-American at Cincinnati, and graduated as a music major specializing in voice in a unique university program that combined study at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.

David Canary made his debut on Broadway in Jose Quintero's production of Great Day in the Morning, with Colleen Dewhurst. After a stint in the Army, he he restarted his career on the West Coast, starring in The Fantasticks.

His prime time television credits include the role of Candy in Bonanza and that of Russ Gehring in Peyton Place, in addition to numerous guest appearances and roles in made-for-TV films. He also appeared on daytime television as Stephen Frame in Another World. Among his feature films are Hombre, The St. Valentine's Day Massacre and End of a Dark Street. He also starred with Marian Seldes in the independently produced comedy film, In a Pig's Eye.

Theater roles include Edouard in Tennessee Williams' Clothes for a Summer Hotel opposite Geraldine Page and Kenneth Haigh, also directed by Jose Quintero; the title role of Strindberg's The Father, as El Gallo in The Fantasticks; the Broadway musical, The Happiest Girl in the World; and Blood Moon. More recently, he appeared in Sally's Gone, She Left Her Name with Michael Learned; The Night of the Bear; Cobb, written by Lee Blessing, and Orphans by Lyle Kessler. Canary also has an extensive list of credits in regional and stock theater.

David Canary has won recognition for his work in daytime, including Daytime Emmys Nomination, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (1985,1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999) Daytime Emmys Winner, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (1986, 1988, 1989, 1993), Soap Opera Digest Awards Winner, and Favorite Couple (Stuart Chandler and Marian Colby; 1999).