Owen Gould Davis Jr. | |
Birth Date: | October 6, 1907 |
Birth Place: | New York City, U.S. |
Death Place: | Long Island Sound, New York, U.S. |
Occupation: | Actor |
Years Active: | 1929–1940 |
Spouse: | Laina Muroni |
Owen Gould Davis Jr. (October 6, 1907 – May 21, 1949) was an American actor known primarily for his work in film. He also performed in the theatre, making his Broadway debut in the play Carry On (1928), which his father, Owen Davis, had written.
Born in 1907 in New York City, Davis Jr. was the son of dramatist Owen Davis[1] and his wife, actress Elizabeth Breyer. In 1923 his father won the Pulitzer Prize for drama for his play Icebound. When he was young, his parents opposed his having any involvement in acting.[2]
Educated at The Choate School and Yale University,[2] Davis was one of the leading students in the drama school. He was chosen captain of the boxing team.
On stage, Davis made his Broadway debut in the play Carry On (1928), written by his father Owen Davis. He soon began working in film, making his screen debut with Walter Huston. Later he toured on stage with Huston. After gaining more stage experience, Davis went to Hollywood and began to specialize in movies.
Davis served in the United States Army during World War II.< Afterward, he became a television producer. Shows produced by Davis included The Chevrolet Tele-Theatre.[3]
He married Laina Muroni.
Davis died on May 21, 1949. He drowned on Long Island Sound.[4] On May 25, 1949, the Nassau County medical examiner ruled that the drowning was accidental.[5]
Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1929 | They Had to See Paris | Ross Peters | ||
1930 | All Quiet on the Western Front | Peter | ||
1930 | Good Intentions | Bud Finney | ||
1936 | Murder on a Bridle Path | Edward 'Eddie' Fry | ||
1936 | Special Investigator | George Fenwick | ||
1936 | Bunker Bean | Bunker Bean | ||
1936 | Grand Jury | Steve O'Connell | ||
1936 | The Plot Thickens | Robert Wilkins | ||
1937 | The Woman I Love | Mezziores | ||
1937 | It Could Happen to You! | Fred Barrett | ||
1937 | Luck of Roaring Camp | Davy | ||
1938 | Touchdown, Army | Cadet Kirk Reynolds | ||
1939 | These Glamour Girls | Greg Smith | ||
1939 | Henry Goes Arizona | Danny Regan | ||
1939 | Thou Shalt Not Kill | Allen Stevens | ||
1940 | Knute Rockne All American | Gus Dorais | (final film role) |