Jim Davis

Biography for Jim Davis

Tall, rangy character actor in many westerns and outdoor dramas. Born and raised in Missouri, Jim Davis' relaxed, easygoing manner and Southern drawl typified the image of the cowboy, and he spent many years at Republic doing just that. He alternated between good-guy and villain roles, one of his better roles being that of the devious, murderous fur trapper working for Kirk Douglas' competition in The Big Sky (1952). He is best known, however, for his role as the Ewing family patriarch Jock in the long-running TV series "Dallas" (1978).

Born August 26, 1909 in Edgerton (Missouri). (His real name Marlin Davis) After his years of study at the William Jewell College of Liberty in Montana, he goes through several small jobs, including that of the railroad worker, a marquee trainer in a traveling circus or car seller. It was thanks to this last profession that he arrives in California, where a customer, who was also a talent outfit arrangs for him a hearing at the MGM. He presents himself at his appointment with another beginner: Esther Williams. This is how he made modest beginnings in "White Cargo" in 1942, whose stars are Hedy Lamarr and Walter Pidgeon. However, he falls into a bad period, because shortly after, he is called under the flags. On his return, Louis B. Mayer had forgotten him. The public too. He had a brief moment of hope when he obtained the star role alongside Bette Davis in "Winter Meeting" in 1947, but he was short -lived.

Followed a bunch of cours of extra jobs to survive, before re -emerging, and this time definitively in secondary roles, in essentially westerns. We will see him in particular alongside John Wayne in "El Dorado" in 1966. He also appeared on television in several series: "Stories of the Century" (1954) or "Rescue 8" (1958), or he interprets the role from Wes Cameron.

In the 1970s, he appeared as a guest star in the series "Banacek", "Kung Fu", or "The streets of San Francisco". In 1978, he was contacted to play the role of Jock, the head of the Ewing family, in "Dallas". Jim Davis will continue to play Jock's role in the series until his death. The actor died of brain cancer on April 26, 1981 in Northridge (California). He who had long remained in the shadows did not know the glory for a short time before dying, and hardly had time to enjoy the growing success of "Dallas".

Jim Davis is an American actor who is best known for his role as Jock Ewing in the Dallas television series. He was born on August 26, 1909 in Edgerton in Wisconsin and died on April 26, 1981 in Northridge in California.

Davis began his career in the 1940s by playing in westerns films. He also played in television series like Gunsmoke, The Adventures of Superman and The Lone Ranger. However, it was thanks to its role in the Dallas series that Davis became famous. In this series, he played Jock Ewing, the patriarch of the Ewing family and the owner of the oil company Ewing Oil. His character was known to be a hard and ruthless businessman, but also a loving husband and a caring father.

In addition to his acting career, Davis was also a producer and a screenwriter. He produced several films and television series, including the television series The Big Valley. He also wrote several scripts for films and television series.

In summary, Jim Davis was an American actor who played in westerns films and television series in the 1940s and 1950s. He is best known for his role as Jock Ewing in the Dallas television series. He was also a talented producer and screenwriter.

Photos

Filmography

Trivia

• In the early 1970s, he appeared in a widely aired television commercial for Carnation non-dairy coffee creamer. He played a man who found and used it in an apartment that friends lent him.
• He was very close to "Dallas" (1978) co-star Victoria Principal, who bore a strong resemblance to his late daughter, and he had Principal's picture along with his daughter's in his pocket when he was buried.
• In April 1981 the writers of "Dallas" (1978) decided not to write his death into the storyline right away. They initially thought about replacing him with another actor, but out of respect decided that only Davis should play Jock Ewing. Jock was kept alive on the show (he was down in South America drilling for oil) until early 1982 when it was learned that he died in a plane crash.

Family

• Spouse : Blanche Hammerer (1945 - 26 April 1981) (his death) 1 child
• Only child Tara Diane (15 January 1953-9 February 1970) died in a car crash at age 16.

Author of the card

• Creation date: 02/03/2008 by abdest