Bladesmith & Judge on Series 'Forged in Fires'

David Lain Baker | Biography

Actor, Props Designer & Historical Bladesmith

• By Reena Chikanbanjar
• Original : February 02, 2022

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David Lain Baker is an American bladesmith best known for being the judge in the reality television competition series Forged in Fires.

Who is David Lain Baker?

David Lain Baker is an actor and Hollywood prop maker born on 12 June 1962 in Long Beach, California. As an actor, he is known for his roles on the television series Call to Glory (1984-1985) and the film St. Elmo's Fire (1985). He also worked in the art department in films like Beowlf (2007) and Dragonball Evolution (2009). However, his breakthrough came in 2015 when he became one of the judges on Forged in Fire.

Short Bio

Baker made his acting debut, portraying the role of Airman Tom Bonelli on the television series Call of Glory from 1984 to 1985. Subsequently, he debuted as Jules' Date in the 1985 romantic drama film St. Elmo's Fire. 

In 1985, he appeared as Angelo in two episodes of the television series The Colbys, a spin-off of the television series Dynasty that aired from 1981 to 1989. From 1985 to 1986, he played Orient Express Bartender in three episodes of the romantic drama television series Santa Barbara. He then portrayed the role of American Pilot in one episode of the television series Crime Story in 1987.

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Baker eventually developed an interest in props and then initiated making props of historical blades. He subsequently worked in the art department of television series, recreating realistic and period-accurate weapons for Battleground: The Art of War, Deadliest Warrior, and Leverage. He also made props and weapons for films and short films like Duel (2004), Beowulf (2007), Dragonball Evolution (2009), and Tower of Joy: A Game of Thrones FanFilm (2016).

Baker also continued his acting career while working in the art department. In 2005, he appeared in one episode titled 'Alexander the Great' of Battleground: The Art of War. He then appeared as Huntsman in one episode titled 'Snow White and the Juniper Tree' of the television series Scary Tales in 2011. In 2015, he played Harry in the horror action comedy film The Hunted. In the 2010s, he also appeared in short films Blood Trail (2010) as Territorial Magistrate, Blood Trail 2: The Trail Home (2011) as Masked Man, and The Hunted: Origins (2016) as Harry.

'Forged in Fires'

Forged in Fires is an American reality television competition series, which premiered on 22 June 2015 on History Channel.

The competition series features four competitors who attempt to re-create some of history's most iconic edged weapons. They compete to make the best usable swords through a series of challenges in each episode. A panel of judges consisting of American Bladesmith Society (ABS) Master Smith J. Neilson, edged-weapons specialist Doug Marcaida, and Baker then test the swords made by competitors. The competition winner receives $10,000 and the title of 'Forged in Fire Champion.'

Fellow ABS Master Smith Jason Knight filled Neilson's seat on the judges' panel in Season 3 during Neilson's absence on the show due to surgery on his hand. Later, a two-time Forged in Fire champion Ben Abbott replaced Neilson in some episodes of the fourth, fifth, and sixth seasons. Abbott ultimately became a full-time judge of the show. The eighth season premiered on 18 November 2020. 

Speaking about his job and the series in an interview, Baker said, "What I love about swords, knives, weapons in general, especially the historical pieces, is that they are deadly work of art. I got a great job in the world. I do what I love to do. One of the best things about my job is receiving messages on social media from a father who is saying their daughter wants to be on Forge and build knives. We as a show get to inspire somebody, that's the magic, that's the best part of this job."

Wife

Baker married television producer Carrie Leigh Stewart on 14 November 1987. However, whether Stewart is still his wife is unknown, and he has not disclosed any details on his wife either.