Keith David

Template:Upcoming Template:Infobox character Keith David is a character in Saints Row IV.

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I'm not the first actor to move into politics, but I'm one of the better ones. Theatre, film, television, animation, commercials. Shit, I've even done video games, though video games aren't exactly renown for their storytelling. Still, I'd conquered acting. By the time I got the call from the Saints, I was ready for something new.

— Keith David audio log

Description

Having conquered stage and screen as an award-winning actor, Keith David went looking for new challenges. He found plenty when he signed on as the Boss' running mate. He helped secure the votes of the key thespian demographic and continues to serve his country as a level-headed counterpart to the sometimes misunderstood President.

— Description of Keith David from the Saints Row Website.^[1]

Keith David serves as The Protagonist's vice president.^[3]

Keith is an award winning actor prior to becoming involved with The Protagonist.^[1]

In real life, Keith David voiced Julius Little in Saints Row and Saints Row 2, and the likeness between them is noted by other characters several times throughout Saints Row IV in a running joke. Keith himself claims he cannot see the similarity. Keith is the vice president, and is one of the first members of the president's cabinet abducted by Zinyak and is also the first saved by Kinzie, he aids the Saints until ultimately, he betrays the Saints by allowing Zinyak to kidnap Kinzie, knocking out Pierce, Ben King, Asha Odekar, and Matt Miller^[4]. Quite similar to Julius' actions at the end of the first Saints Row.^[5] One of his Audio Logs prefaces his betrayal. He made a deal with Zinyak to kill The Protagonist in exchange for restoring Earth. Unlike Julius, however, Keith survives his betrayal of The Protagonist when Keith returns to the Saints side after saving The Protagonist who is being brutally beaten by Zin but not before getting put in a simulation where he is brainwashed to think that everyone is out to get him. Then he fights Roddy Piper, and The Protagonist teams up with Roddy in helping get Keith back to normal. He then tells The Protagonist how to save Kinzie and he returns to the ship. At the end of the game, assuming all loyalty missions have been completed, it is revealed that Zinyak told a half-truth; the Zin had time travel technology that would enable the Saints to revisit Earth before it was destroyed.^[6]

History

Saints Row IV

Keith David was an actor, and has established himself into films, television, animation and video games. He entered into politics and was approached by the head of the 3rd Street Saints - The Protagonist - to act as their Vice President, which Keith had then agreed to. After many struggling campaign trails, they had finally won the election, and the Saints entered into Government.

A few years later, Keith and The Protagonist are still in the White Crib. When the earth is attacked by an alien empire known as the Zin led by Zinyak, Keith is being beamed up and abducted by the aliens.^[7]

Shortly after, Keith reunites with press secretary Kinzie Kensington and they steal a Zin Ship and rescue The Protagonist when he escapes his nightmare simulation. Shortly after however, the earth is atomised by Zinyak for The Protagonist's escape. Despite Keith David's worry, The Protagonist decides to enter back into his simulation in a way to track down his friends.^[8]

Betrayal

Zinyak kicked the stool out from under my political aspiration when he and his armada showed up. One of the worst things you can do is piss off America. Now, I don't necessarily agree with how the President is handling these things. Seems there must be a better way. I'm not saying I'd do better but, shit, maybe that's exactly what I'm saying. If I had the chance anyway.

— Keith David foreshadowing his betrayal of the Saints

Somehow Keith David was contacted by Zinyak, on the offer of restoring Earth if he betrays the Saints and has The Protagonist killed. Keith accepts the proposal, and allows the Zin to ambush the Ship while The Protagonist along with the Saints are inside Virtual Steelport. He knocks out Matt Miller and Asha Odekar and leaves, which leads to Kinzie being kidnapped by Zinyak.^[4]

After his betrayal, Keith is awarded to become "President for Life" inside Virtual Steelport, and begins declaring support of Zinyak. The Protagonist arrives and gives chase to Keith inside the Federal Building, but The Protagonist is ambushed and attacked by two Zin guards inside the office. Keith has a quick change of heart and kills the two Zin soldiers, but before he can tell The Protagonist's Kinzie's location Zinyak arrives and abducts Keith and The Protagonist. Keith is then forced to relive the movie They Live while fighting Roddy Piper. Keith keeps attempting to escape, and The Protagonist gets Roddy to help them beat up Keith David for information on Kinzie's whereabouts.^[9]

After getting out of Keith's nightmare simulation, The Protagonist advises Keith to get help on his issues. Keith doesn't appear in story missions after this, or is present during The Protagonist's takeover of the Zin Empire after Zinyak's death.^[6] However he is still present on The Ship

How the Saints Save Christmas

Keith doesn't serve any role in the actual story missions. However upon completing the final mission "The Santa Clawz" he appears in the final cutscene. Keith and The Protagonist make snow angels together, and Keith poses in a photograph with the rest of the Saints.

Trivia

Keith David made his first appearance in the "War for Humanity" trailer for Saints Row IV, which was released on 6 June 2013.^[2]
The character is similar to Burt Reynolds in Saints Row: The Third in that they are both fictionalized versions of actors voiced by their real-life counterparts.
The trailer contains a placard that appears to say 'I HEART Goliath'.^[2] In real life, Keith David voiced Goliath in the show Gargoyles.
In real life, Keith David voiced Julius in Saints Row and Saints Row 2^[10]^[11]
- That being said, In Saints Row IV, The fact Julius and Keith sound very alike is mentioned multiple times during the game.^[12]^[13]^[14]
Keith David is listed as "Vice President" rather than his name when given the choice to romance or talk to him.^[15]
He is the only non-romanceable character on the ship.
Super Keith David's outfit resembles that of Lando Calrissian from the Star Wars films likely a nod to the fact Keith betrays the Saints to save something causing them to lose an ally and to eventually rejoin and help in saving them just like what Lando does when he lets Darth Vader kidnap Han Solo
Keith David's role in the film Requiem for a Dream is referenced by Female Voice 2's line "Great... this better not end up with me going ass to ass...".^[9]
Keith is the only Homie that is upgraded into a Super Homie via storyline progression, and not through an optional Loyalty Quest.
- In the Australian version of Saints Row IV, then Keith is the second Homie upgraded into a Super Homie via storyline progression with Shaundi being the first.
Keith uses a Deacon 12-Gauge Shotgun when recruited as a Homie. He also uses the Dominator when rescuing The Protagonist during The Real World.

Quotes

I was 12 hours into Dead Island when the Zin attacked. Now I'll never finish it. I won't forgive them for that.

— Keith on The Ship

Audio Logs

Main article: Audio Logs

I'm not the first actor to move into politics, but I'm one of the better ones. Theater, film, television, animation, commercials, shit, I've even done video games. Though video games aren't exactly renowned for their storytelling. Still, I'd conquered acting. By the time I got the call from the Saints, I was ready for something new.

— Keith Audio Log 1

How did I go from award-winning actor to the Vice President of the United States? Hell if I know. But when the head of the Saints calls you up and makes you an offer, well, it's something you consider. I liked the idea of being a statesman, having my name in the history books. It's a hell of a dream. Plus I look good in a suit. I'd look even better on money.

— Keith Audio Log 2

Zinyak kicked the stool out from under my political aspiration when he and his armada showed up. One of the worst things you can do is piss off America. Now, I don't necessarily agree with how the President is handling these things. Seems there must be a better way. I'm not saying I'd do better but, shit, maybe that's exactly what I'm saying. If I had the chance anyway.