Richard was the fourth actor and first adult to play David Banning.

Richard played David for 7 years. He died in October 1995 of cancer.

David returned to town in 1974 to collect his inheritance from his grandmother Addie. He planned to marry his girlfriend Brooke Hamilton {then played by Adrienne LaRussa}. She was later presumed dead in a car accident. She came back to town years later as Stephanie Woodruff {Eileen Barnett} and dated David again.

David drove his car into the river in 1975 and was presumed dead. A memorial service was held for him in Salem, while he moved in with the Grants, an African-American family. He spent a lot of time with Paul Grant {Lawrence Cook} and his daughter, Valerie.

The romance between Valerie and David was the first interracial romance on daytime.

Although they became engaged, Paul Grant wouldn't allow them to marry. Valerie went off to medical school and David moved on with his life.

Richard with his dog.

David's next love was Trish Clayton. They married in a simple ceremony in 1977 because she was pregnant with his baby.

David and Trish took part in a Horton tradition. They sang "Always," along with the other Hortons, in honor of Tom and Alice.

David, Trish and Scott became a happy family.

The best thing that ever happened to David was fatherhood. Richard and Erick Petersen who played baby Scotty.