A damper actuator includes a housing and a hub extending through and rotatably coupled to the housing. The actuator is configured to be a side-mount direct coupled actuator. In one embodiment, an external clamp is coupled to the housing and is configured to be attached to a damper shaft without the damper shaft extending through the hub. A torque transfer mechanism is coupled between the hub and the external clamp such that rotation of the hub results in a corresponding rotation of the damper shaft. In another embodiment, a channel in the actuator housing is configured to accept a damper shaft from the side and the hub includes a removable portion to allow for insertion and removal of the damper shaft.