Dave McClain was born David Allen McClain in the Cleveland, Ohio suburb of Parma. He was raised in Parma and Brook Park, Ohio by his parents, William McClain and Marlene McClain (nee Taschner). Dave traces his ancestry to various countries in Europe, especially Germany. He is the oldest of six children, with siblings living in the Cleveland area and from North Carolina to California. Dave discovered and developed his love and talent for acting by appearing in school plays at Ford Junior High School (Brook Park, OH), Midpark High School (Middleburg Hts., OH), Edinboro University (Edinboro, PA) and, while teaching history at Great Bridge High School (Chesapeake, VA). Dave graduated high school with honors and graduated college Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in education.