He was the son of Lucian Davis (1878-1954) and Ethyl Offutt Davis (1890-1984). They are buried in Camden Point Cemetery, Camden Point, Platte County, Missouri.
Jim Davis is an American cartoonist, best known for creating the comic strip Garfield. He was born on July 28, 1945, in Marion, Indiana, the son of James William Davis, a telephone lineman, and Anna Catherine (Smith) Davis, a homemaker. He has an older brother, Dave. Davis grew up on a farm and attended a one-room schoolhouse. He began drawing at an early age and was inspired by the comics in newspapers and magazines. He particularly enjoyed the work of Walt Kelly and Charles Schulz.
Davis attended Indiana Wesleyan University, where he majored in art. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1967 and served in Vietnam as a medical illustrator. After his discharge, he returned to Indiana Wesleyan and graduated in 1971.
Davis began his career as a cartoonist working for TMS Entertainment on the animated series “The Real Ghostbusters” and “Scooby-Doo”. He also wrote and drew several comic books for Marvel Comics. In 1978, he created the comic strip Garfield, which features the eponymous orange cat, his owner Jon Arbuckle, and their dog Odie. The strip became successful and was syndicated internationally. Davis has also written several books about Garfield and his friends.
In 2006, Davis was inducted into the Indiana Academy of Fine Arts. He has received numerous awards for his work, including the Reuben Award from the National Cartoonists Society in 1990 and 1991.
Davis is estimated to have a net worth of $800 million. He lives on a ranch in Texas with his wife, Carolyn, and their two children.
General Info
Net Worth
2.5 billion USD
Date Of Birth
July 28, 1945
Died
April 26, 1981, Northridge, Los Angeles, California, United States
Height
1.87 m
Profession
Screenwriter, Television producer, Cartoonist, Film producer
Education
Ball State University
Nationality
American
Family
Spouse
Jill Davis
Children
James Davis, James Alexander Davis, Christopher Davis, Ashley Davis
Parents
Anna Catherine Davis, James William Davis
Siblings
David "Doc" Davis
Accomplishments
Awards
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program
Movies
Winter Meeting, The Big Sky, Rio Lobo, Raiders of Old California, Big Jake, The Quiet Gun, The Parallax View, El Dorado, The Day Time Ended, The Badge of Marshal Brennan, Noose for a Gunman, Apache Warrior, Alias Jesse James, Monster from Green Hell, Frontier Uprising, Jesse James Meets Frankenstein...
TV Shows
Dallas, The Cowboys, Rescue 8, Stories of the Century
Didn't have to walk too far, in between scenes, while doing Dallas (1978), prior to suffering his own health problems, but was determined to keep working, until he was unable to. He had to leave the show, when the cast (and himself) knew that he was dying in 1981 (though he almost appeared in every episode of the 1980-81 season).
3
For many years, Davis suffered a series of migraine headaches, which led to his terminal brain cancer that eventually claimed his life.
4
He was the son of Lucian Davis (1878-1954) and Ethyl Offutt Davis (1890-1984). They are buried in Camden Point Cemetery, Camden Point, Platte County, Missouri.
5
His maternal grandparents were Otho Dock Offutt (1831-1912) and Elizabeth Rogers Hughes Offutt (1864-1937).
6
His parents owned and operated the Davis Funeral Home in Dearborn, Missouri from 1914 to 1948.
7
Survived by his mother, Ethyl O. Davis, who died on January 10, 1984 in Overland Park, Kansas.
8
Best remembered by the public for his role as Jock Ewing on the 1980s soap opera Dallas (1978).
9
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.
10
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.
11
Only child Tara Diane (15 January 1953 - 9 February 1970) died in a car crash at age 17.
Pictures
Movies
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Sixth Sense
1972
TV Series
Anson Beige
The Bold Ones: The New Doctors
1972
TV Series
Peter Merlino
Night Gallery
1972
TV Series
Abe Bennett (segment "The Waiting Room")
The Trackers
1971
TV Movie
Sheriff Naylor
Dracula vs. Frankenstein
1971
Police Sgt. Martin
Big Jake
1971
Head of Lynching Party
Vanished
1971
TV Movie
Capt. Cooledge
The Virginian
1968-1971
TV Series
Roper / McKinley
Rio Lobo
1970
Riley
Monte Walsh
1970
Cal Brennan
The High Chaparral
1970
TV Series
Robbins
Five Bloody Graves
1969
Clay Bates
Daniel Boone
1966-1969
TV Series
Rafe Carson / Scud Tumbrill / Sam Ralston / ...
The Ice House
1969
Jake
Death Valley Days
1953-1969
TV Series
William Lewis Manley / Col. William Butler / The Sheriff / ...
Bonanza
1961-1968
TV Series
Sam Butler / Johnny / Sam Wolfe
They Ran for Their Lives
1968
Vince Ballard
The Road Hustlers
1968
Noah Reedy
The Guns of Will Sonnett
1968
TV Series
Sheriff Hawks
Border Lust
1967
Cimarron Strip
1967
TV Series
Clo Vardeman
Hondo
1967
TV Series
Krantz
Fort Utah
1967
Scarecrow
El Dorado
1967
Jim Purvis (Bart Jason's foreman)
The Time Tunnel
1966
TV Series
Col. Jim Bowie
Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter
1966
Marshal MacPhee
Branded
1965-1966
TV Series
James Swaney / Wheeler / Malachi Murdock
Rawhide
1962-1965
TV Series
Sheriff / Sheriff Sam Jason
Laredo
1965
TV Series
Sheriff Wes Cottrell
Zebra in the Kitchen
1965
Adam Carlyle
The Lucy Show
1965
TV Series
Cardenas
Perry Mason
1962-1964
TV Series
Joe Farrell / George Tabor
The Littlest Hobo
1964
TV Series
Danny Kilgarren
Wagon Train
1960-1964
TV Series
Rudd Basham / Clyde Hubble / Dan Ryan / ...
Iron Angel
1964
Sgt. Walsh
Laramie
1960-1963
TV Series
Jim Genoway / Joe / Ben McKittrick / ...
Alcoa Premiere
1963
TV Series
Tim
The Donna Reed Show
1963
TV Series
Red
Buttons and Her Beaus
1962
TV Movie
Have Gun - Will Travel
1962
TV Series
Al Long
Stoney Burke
1962
TV Series
Shep Winters
Lassie
1962
TV Series
Ed Bates
Tales of Wells Fargo
1957-1962
TV Series
Jonus Sawyer / Sam Horne / Al Porter
Thriller
1962
TV Series
The Marshal
Whispering Smith
1961
TV Series
Sam Chandler
The Aquanauts
1961
TV Series
Sam Hogarth
Gunslinger
1961
TV Series
Jeb Crane
Outlaws
1961
TV Series
Wilkie Steed
The Gambler Wore a Gun
1961
Case Silverthorne (as James Davis)
Coronado 9
1961
TV Series
Barton Kincaid
The Deputy
1961
TV Series
Trace Phelan
Frontier Uprising
1961
Jim Stockton (as James Davis)
Manhunt
1961
TV Series
Otto / Catlin
General Electric Theater
1954-1960
TV Series
Cole Treuitt / Fitz
The Magnificent Seven
1960
Gunman at Boot Hill (uncredited)
The Tall Man
1960
TV Series
Bob Orringer
Markham
1960
TV Series
Neal Holland
Rescue 8
1958-1960
TV Series
Wes Cameron
Noose for a Gunman
1960
Case Britton
Yancy Derringer
1959
TV Series
Bullet Pike
Alias Jesse James
1959
Frank James
U.S. Marshal
1959
TV Series
Harvey Granger
A Lust to Kill
1958
Marshal Matt Gordon
Flaming Frontier
1958
Col. Hugh Carver
Wolf Dog
1958
Jim Hughes
M Squad
1958
TV Series
Harry Evans / Mickey Seville
The Toughest Gun in Tombstone
1958
Johnny Ringo
26 Men
1958
TV Series
Father Diego
The Silent Service
1957-1958
TV Series
Lieut. Ruhe / Comm. Ruhe
Raiders of Old California
1957
Captain Angus Clyde McKane
The Last Stagecoach West
1957
Bill Cameron
Apache Warrior
1957
Ben Ziegler
Monster from Green Hell
1957
Dr. Quent Brady
The Restless Breed
1957
Newton
Playhouse 90
1957
TV Series
Sheriff
The Badge of Marshal Brennan
1957
'Brennan'
The O. Henry Playhouse
1957
TV Series
The Millionaire
1957
TV Series
Jim Driskill
Duel at Apache Wells
1957
Dean Cannary
The Quiet Gun
1957
Ralph Carpenter
Frontier Gambler
1956
Tony Burton
The Maverick Queen
1956
The Stranger
Blonde Bait
1956
Nick Randall
Women Without Men
1956
Nick Randall (USA version) (uncredited)
The Wild Dakotas
1956
Aaron Baring
The Bottom of the Bottle
1956
George Cady
The Vanishing American
1955
Glendon
Last of the Desperados
1955
Chief Deputy John Poe
Cavalcade of America
1955
TV Series
J.L. Armstrong
Cavalier Theatre
1955
TV Series
J.L. Armstrong
The Last Command
1955
Ben Evans
Stories of the Century
1954-1955
TV Series
Matt Clark
Timberjack
1955
Poole
Hell's Outpost
1954
Sam Horne
Fireside Theatre
1951-1954
TV Series
Wesley Dean / Luther / Col. Streeter / ...
The Outlaw's Daughter
1954
Marshal Dan Porter
Schlitz Playhouse
1954
TV Series
The Outcast
1954
Major Linton Cosgrave
The Big Chase
1954
Brad Bellows
Jubilee Trail
1954
Silky
Your Jeweler's Showcase
1953
TV Series
Cowboy G-Men
1952-1953
TV Series
Dance, Shafer Henchman / Wilson / Sheriff Jack Wardlow / ...
The President's Lady
1953
Jason Robards (uncredited)
Woman They Almost Lynched
1953
Cole Younger
Bandit Island
1953
Short
Brad Bellows
Ride the Man Down
1952
Red Courteen
Woman of the North Country
1952
Steve Powell
The Big Sky
1952
Streak
The Unexpected
1952
TV Series
Detective
Gang Busters
1952
TV Series
Capt. Bob Stewart
Rose of Cimarron
1952
Willie Whitewater
Dangerous Assignment
1952
TV Series
Guard / Holcomb / Lt. Makam / ...
The Sea Hornet
1951
Tony Sullivan
Silver Canyon
1951
Wade McQuarrie
Little Big Horn
1951
Cpl. Doan Moylan
Cavalry Scout
1951
Lieutenant Spauldiing
Oh! Susanna
1951
Ira Jordan
Three Desperate Men
1951
Fred Denton
California Passage
1950
Lincoln 'Linc' Corey
The Showdown
1950
Cochran
The Cariboo Trail
1950
Miller
Hi-Jacked
1950
Joe Harper
The Savage Horde
1950
Lt. Mike Baker
Brimstone
1949
Nick Courteen
Yes Sir, That's My Baby
1949
Joe Tascarelli
Hellfire
1949
Gyp Stoner
Red Stallion in the Rockies
1949
Dave Ryder (as James Davis)
Winter Meeting
1948
Slick Novak (as James Davis)
The Fabulous Texan
1947
Sam Bass
Merton of the Movies
1947
Von Strutt's Assistant (uncredited)
The Romance of Rosy Ridge
1947
Badge Dessark
The Beginning or the End
1947
Pilot at Tinian
Gallant Bess
1946
Harry
Up Goes Maisie
1946
Matthews (uncredited)
What Next, Corporal Hargrove?
1945
Sgt. Hill (as James Davis)
Swing Shift Maisie
1943
Investigator (uncredited)
Salute to the Marines
1943
Pvt. Saunders (uncredited)
Pilot #5
1943
Military Policeman (uncredited)
Three Hearts for Julia
1943
Daily Globe Staff Member (uncredited)
Stand by for Action
1942
Talker (uncredited)
White Cargo
1942
Seaplane Pilot (uncredited)
Tennessee Johnson
1942
Reporter (uncredited)
Keep 'Em Sailing
1942
Short
Joseph Cummins (as James Davis)
Northwest Rangers
1942
Mountie with Warrant (uncredited)
Cairo
1942
Sergeant (uncredited)
Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy 'Satchel' Paige
1981
TV Movie
Mr. Wilkenson
Dallas
1978-1981
TV Series
Jock Ewing
The Day Time Ended
1979
Grant
Comes a Horseman
1978
Julie Blocker
Killing Stone
1978
TV Movie
Sen. Barry Tyler
Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color
1972-1978
TV Series
Pop Appling / Col. Porter
Trail of Danger
1978
TV Movie
Pop Apling
Project U.F.O.
1978
TV Series
Earl Clay
The Choirboys
1977
Drobeck
Just a Little Inconvenience
1977
TV Movie
Dave Erickson
Enigma
1977
TV Movie
Colonel Valentine
The Legend of Frank Woods
1977
Deputy
Hunter
1977
TV Series
Raymond Spencer
The Oregon Trail
1977
TV Series
J.D. Price
The Quest
1976
TV Series
Marshal Pullman
Law of the Land
1976
TV Movie
Sheriff Pat Lambrose
The Blue Knight
1976
TV Series
Daniels
The Runaway Barge
1975
TV Movie
Capt. Buckshot Bates
Caribe
1975
TV Series
David Mayfield
Satan's Triangle
1975
TV Movie
Hal Bancroft
Inferno in Paradise
1974
Rocky Stratton
The Parallax View
1974
George Hammond
The Cowboys
1974
TV Series
Marshal Bill Winter
The Streets of San Francisco
1973-1974
TV Series
Roy Johnson / Reid Bradshaw
Gunsmoke
1966-1974
TV Series
Clell Williams / Luke Rumbaugh / Dave Carpenter / ...