He’s played a crazed soldier, a criminal, and the most judgmental butler who ever buttled. And now, actor Daniel Davis is about to take on yet another assignment: birthday boy.
Happy Birthday, Daniel Davis!
And that’s because he was born on November 26, 1945, in Gurdon, Arkansas, which means that this much-beloved performer is turning 75 years old today! Davis obtained his first acting job when he was but a wee lad of 11, and his exposure to the profession – via the locally-broadcast program Betty’s Little Rascals – only served to whet his appetite.
He honed his technique at the Arkansas Arts Center and put the teachings into practice at both the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. Davis then spent six years with the American Conservatory Theater, acting, learning, and teaching.
He made his film debut with the 1970 picture The Sidelong Glances of a Pigeon Kicker, though his work as “Skinny” went uncredited. This was followed by an episode of Great Performances in 1974.
He gained recognition for his turn as Texas’s Elliot Carrington, an emotionally and mentally scarred POW. His work opposite soap opera legend Beverlee McKinsey’s Iris Cory was of particular note.
Davis followed his soap role with guest appearances in primetime programs such as Highway to Heaven (1984), Cagney & Lacey (1984), Remington Steele (1985), Cheers (1986), and Scarecrow and Mrs. King (1985; 1986). He made his film debut in the 1985 effort Chain Letters and he also starred in made-for-television films such as The Eagle and the Bear (1985) and Blind Justice (1986). He had a recurring role as Harry Thresher on Dynasty (1987-1988)
In 1993, Davis landed the role for which he would become most well known: Niles the butler in the Fran Drescher-vehicle The Nanny. His pairing opposite Lauren Lane’s C.C. Babcock, with their constant bickering, would earn them both quite a following. Davis would remain with the sitcom for the entirety of its run, right up to the final episode six years later.
His subsequent credits include episodes of The Practice (2000), Frasier (2002), Ugly Betty (2008), Gotham (2015), The Blacklist (2017), and The Good Fight (2019). He is also well known by science fiction connoisseurs for his work as Professor Moriarty in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Entertainment Hub would like to wish Daniel Davis a very happy birthday and many more.
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