Jim Davis (actor)

Cause of death: Brain cancer

Birth: Aug. 26, 1909
Death: Apr. 26, 1981

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).

Spouse
Blanche Hammerer (1945 - 26 April 1981) (his death) 1 child

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.

Only child Tara Diane (15 January 1953-9 February 1970) died in a car crash at age 16.

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.

Best remembered by the public for his role as Jock Ewing on the 1980s soap opera Dallas (1978).

Burial:
Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale)
Glendale
Los Angeles County
California, USA

Plot:
Great Mausoleum, Iris Terrace, Niche 24961