In 1977, David played the title role in "Nero Wolfe", Paramount Television's made-for-TV movie based on the Rex Stout novel "The Doorbell Rang". David portrayed the corpulent detective Nero Wolfe, who took on clients grudgingly and solved mysteries dazzlingly. Intended to be the pilot for a series, the film was shelved by ABC. It eventually aired December 18, 1979, 17 months after David's death. He also played an important role as the lead antagonist, Mr. Edward Byron in the made-for-TV film "Spider-Man" (1977), which served as the pilot for the 1978 TV series "The Amazing Spider-Man".