David "Dave" Seville is the secondary tritagonist of all the Chipmunk series and many of the films. He is the Chipmunks' adoptive father, confidant, and caretaker.
Dave is the loving father of the Chipmunks, despite Alvin driving him crazy in most of the cartoon episodes and live-action films. Like any other single parent trying to raise three kids, Dave has his patience tested on a daily basis. Dave is actually based on the creator of Alvin and the Chipmunks and The Alvin Show, Ross Bagdasarian, Sr., whose stage name was David Seville. Bagdasarian, Sr. released many singles under this name before the creation of the Chipmunks.
Biography
David Seville, or Dave to his friends and the Chipmunks, has his patience and sanity tested in practically every episode, song, and film he is included in with the Chipmunks. Beginning in The Alvin Show series, Dave is seen as the boys songwriter and producer with the ability to play the piano and guitar. He tries extremely hard to keep the group focused during performances but he always has a challenge to deal with such as getting them to practice, keeping them focused, or preventing them from goofing up the songs. Alvin often irritates him, resulting in Dave's famous yell, "AAAALLLLVVVVIIIINNNN!!!!!!" to which Alvin often replies with a loud "OKAY!!".
Though he is stressed out at times, Dave has always been a very loving and caring father. The Chipmunks have to remind him sometimes that even though they can be difficult for him, they wouldn't be the same without him. For instance, in the Chipmunks episode "Dave's Wonderful Life," Dave believes that the boys are better without him, but their failures without him guiding and loving then become clear. In "We're So Glad It's You," the boys tell him they aren't better without him.
Dave in the CGI / live-action films can seem more like their manager at times than a father. Throughout Alvin and the Chipmunks, he denies for most of the film that he is their father. By the end of the film, he finally claims that they are family. His role in Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel is minor since he is in the hospital for most of the film. Dave is finally seen as more of a father in Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked. He talks about setting rules and seems to take more of a discipline role. He tries taking advice from Simon to give them the chance to prove themselves, which turns out as a disaster. When the chipmunks go over board, he does everything he can to get them back.
In the CGI / live-action films, Dave's love interest is Claire Wilson and main rivals are Ian Hawke and Zoe.
Alternate Identities
- Chipmunk Vice - Bartender at the Lavender Orchid
- Elementary, My Dear Simon - Detective Seville of Scotland Yard
- Treasure Island - Long John Silver
- Alvin in Neverland - Captain Hook
- Bigger! - Dave Smith, Alvin Smith's father
- Chip Tracy - Police Chief Bland
- Irrational Buffoon's European Vacation - Clark Sevillewald
David Seville Singles
David Seville was originally the stage name for Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. before the name was applied to the character. At this time, in the late fifties and early sixties, Bagdasarian produced singles independent and even prior to his idea of Alvin and the Chipmunks. The following tracks are preformed without the Chipmunks.
- 1958: "Witch Doctor" (Original Version)
- 1958: "Don't Whistle at Me, Baby"
- 1958: "The Bird on My Head"
- 1958: "Hey There, Moon"
- 1958: "Almost Good"
- 1959: "Mediocre"
- 1959: "Flip Side"
- 1960: "Copyright 1960"
- 1960: "Sack Time"