R.I.P. Don S. Davis
Filed under: Fandom, Newsstand, Obits
This may not have gotten its own post were I not blogging here. But for better or worse I am, and so you get to read about Don S. Davis, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 65.Davis is one of the many versatile, unheralded character actors to have moved through Hollywood in relative anonymity. I wouldn't say he was a phenomenal talent, though he was certainly very good, but it so happens that he played two pivotal roles on two television shows that, more than any other works of art, shaped my taste in movies and stories when I was a young teenager.
As Captain William Scully, Agent Scully's father, Davis was the heart of what may have been The X-Files' finest hour (as any self-respecting X-Files fan knows, the Season 1 episode in which he appeared was called "Beyond the Sea"). And as Major Briggs on Twin Peaks, he carried one of that show's creepiest, most memorable plotlines. Whenever he would appear, I knew I was in for another amazing Lynchian what-the-hell moment.
These two roles are so burned into my memory they're practically hardwired. Whenever I see Don Davis's face, I flash back to the incomparable (for me) experience of watching The X-Files and Twin Peaks for the first time. (Of course, he wasn't just a television actor -- he had parts in countless feature films.) Surely you have similarly strong associations with other actors. I couldn't let his passing go unmentioned.
Davis had a prominent role on Stargate SG-1, and that show's fansite has a longer obit for him here.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-01-2008 @ 10:28AM
Monika said...
I'm right there with you on Twin Peaks shaping movie tastes. He was a great part of the show.
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7-01-2008 @ 1:47PM
brian said...
Beyond the Sea:
Second greatest tv show of the nineties, right behind Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose.
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7-01-2008 @ 3:33PM
John said...
I was in Evansville, Indiana when Don was filming A League of Their Own. I got a small unpaid extra job. When I saw him from afar (I was in the stands, he on the field) I yelled his name, he looked at me, & I saluted him (referencing Maj. Briggs). He smiled & saluted me back. I'm saddened by his passing...
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7-01-2008 @ 4:07PM
Paul Nicholson said...
You guys need to watch TV that was made...ya know...in the last 15 years.
Those other roles are nice, but i think by far he will be remembered most (by the most people) for his role as General Hammond on Stargate SG-1 and Stargate: Atlantis for more than 10 years.
Thanks for pointing this out though, i hadn't heard about it. SG-1 marathon at my place this weekend!
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7-01-2008 @ 4:45PM
John said...
I love his interacting with the log lady and his advising his son James while eating probably a pie. He had a great booming voice that carried x-files and twin peaks a log way into legend territory. So long Starbuck's daddy.
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7-01-2008 @ 5:13PM
Martha said...
I enjoyed many of Don Davis's performances, but I loved "Hammond of Texas" just about the best. We will miss him.
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7-02-2008 @ 6:52PM
Drew217 said...
I'm very saddened by this. He was a great actor who always shined on screen. He will be missed.
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7-01-2008 @ 5:51PM
Tom said...
I love when you guys salute the great unknowns like Don David. His excellent work certainly deserves a moment of reflection in his passing.
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7-01-2008 @ 8:56PM
Walter said...
RIP General Hammond, et. al. You will be missed. You are loved.
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7-01-2008 @ 9:16PM
John of SC said...
I had a chance to meet Don at Dragon Con in 2006. For lack of a better word, he was one of the most "regular" people compared to other performers that I had ever met. He never acted like a big time TV star. He was a pleasure to be around.
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7-03-2008 @ 12:44PM
Tonya Trummer said...
In addition to being a terrific character actor and all-around great person, Don was also an artist and beloved family man.
He will be missed by many - and for many different reasons. A true Renaissance Man.
Godspeed, Don.
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8-07-2008 @ 6:56PM
Oscar Blake said...
Rest In Peace General, you will be greatly missed....I loved every single part of stargate sg1 that was played by you ......
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7-06-2008 @ 7:38PM
Ellen & Brian Delisle said...
I met Don in the Hilton Beach General Store on St. Joseph Island a few years ago. He was on the Island visiting his brother and sister-in-law. He was a very nice man. I have watched many movies that he was in and it seems funny that I met him in person. RIP.
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