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September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
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People File • Artist

Dave Dave

Dave Dave was an American conceptual artist born David Rothenberg, later also known as David Jordan Robinson.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

Dave Dave was an American conceptual artist who survived a notorious 1983 arson attack by his father and later built a career in Las Vegas art circles. He died in 2018 at age 42 from complications of pneumonia.

What it is

Dave Dave, born David Charles Rothenberg on June 18, 1976, in Brooklyn, New York, was a conceptual artist who also used the name David Jordan Robinson. He gained national attention as a child after surviving a severe burning attack, and later became known for his artwork and friendship with Michael Jackson.

Key details

In 1983, his father Charles Rothenberg was convicted of attempting to kill him by setting him on fire. Dave Dave survived and eventually moved to Las Vegas, where he worked as a conceptual artist. He died on July 15, 2018, at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas; later reports confirmed the cause as complications of pneumonia.

Why it matters

Dave Dave's story is a rare example of resilience: he transformed a traumatic childhood event into a creative career. His life also intersects with pop culture through his connection to Michael Jackson, and his death drew renewed attention to his art and survival.

In short

  • Born David Charles Rothenberg in 1976, later known as David Jordan Robinson.
  • Survived a 1983 arson attack by his father, who was convicted.
  • Became a conceptual artist in Las Vegas and a friend of Michael Jackson.
  • Died in 2018 at age 42 from pneumonia complications.

Quick questions

Who is Dave Dave?
Dave Dave was an American conceptual artist born David Charles Rothenberg, later also known as David Jordan Robinson.
What happened to Dave Dave?
As a child, he survived a 1983 arson attack in which his father was convicted of trying to kill him. He later became an artist in Las Vegas.
How did Dave Dave die?
He died on July 15, 2018, in Las Vegas. Later reporting said the cause was complications of pneumonia.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Dave
    Supports: Birth name, alternate name, occupation, date of birth, date of death, and general biographical summary.
  2. Chicago Tribune — https://www.chicagotribune.com/2018/08/16/dave-dave-respected-vegas-artist-whose-father-set-him-on-fire-in-1983-dies-at-42/
    Supports: Describes him as a Las Vegas artist, identifies him as born David Rothenberg, and reports the 1983 attack and age at death.
  3. Sentinel Colorado — https://sentinelcolorado.com/uncategorized/dave-dave-who-was-set-afire-as-boy-died-of-natural-causes/
    Supports: Reports that he died of natural causes, specifically sepsis due to pneumonia.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3358174/
    Supports: Lists birth date, death date, birthplace, and nickname/alternate name.