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Daniel Davis

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For other people named Daniel Davis, seeDaniel Davis (disambiguation).

Daniel Davis
Davis in 2016
Born
Gurdon, Arkansas,U.S.
Other namesDanny Davis
OccupationActor
Years active1970–present

Daniel Davisis an American film, stage and television actor.

Davis is best known for portrayingNilesthe butler on the sitcomThe Nanny(1993 to 1999), and for his two guest appearances asProfessor MoriartyonStar Trek: The Next Generation(a role he reprised onStar Trek: Picard), affecting an upper classEnglish accentfor both roles. He voices the intelligentCro-Magnon,Longhair, from theLonghair and Doubledomecartoon shorts fromCartoon Network'sBig Pick.

Early life and education

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Davis was born inGurdon, Arkansas,[1]and grew up inLittle Rock.His parents operated a cinema.[2]His first acting job was at the age of 11, when he was cast in a local broadcast program,Betty's Little Rascals.[3]

Davis graduated fromHall High Schoolin Little Rock in 1964. He graduated from theArkansas Arts Centerwith aBachelor of Fine Arts,[4]followed by work with theOregon Shakespeare Festival,[5]theStratford Shakespeare Festival,and six years with theAmerican Conservatory Theater(ACT).[2]During his time at ACT, he taught acting classes.

Career

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Television and film

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Davis first became popular in daytime television playing oppositeBeverlee McKinseyas her character Iris Cory's former (and presumed dead) husband, Elliot Carrington, on thesoap operaTexas,a spin-off ofAnother World,from October 1980 to December 1981. In 1985, he played a renegade soldier in the Season 4 episode, "The Doctor is Out", of the television seriesThe A-Team.

Davis played his most famous character, Niles the Butler, on the television seriesThe Nannythroughout its run from 1993 to 1999 and in itsreunion specialin 2004 (in cameo flashbacks only). Niles was known for his frequent use ofdeadpanone-liners,usually insulting characterC. C. Babcock,with whom Niles eventually fell in love and married in the series' last season.

His naturalaccentisSouthern American;[6]however, hisEnglish accentas Niles was so accurate that many viewers thought he was actually English. He also used an English accent asProfessor Moriartyin theStar Trek: The Next Generationepisodes "Elementary, Dear Data"and"Ship in a Bottle".However, as the commanding officer of the aircraft carrierUSSEnterprisein the 1990 filmThe Hunt for Red October,Davis spoke with his ownAmerican accent.Davis' cartoon voice for the charter Longhair, from theLonghair and Doubledomecartoon shorts fromCartoon Network'sBig Pickin 2000, was also English.

In 2002, Davis guest-starred on the television seriesFrasier,playing Dr. Shafer in Season 10, Episode 8, "Rooms with a View".

Davis was among the group of celebritieslip-synchingto theBee Gees'Stayin' Aliveon the "Idol Gives Back"episode ofAmerican Idolon April 25, 2007. He appeared briefly in the 2006 filmThe Prestige,directed byChristopher Nolan.

In 2008 he guest-starred on the television seriesUgly Betty.

In December 2010, he appeared onThe Fran Drescher ShowthroughSkype.In 2012, he recorded theaudiobookof theStar WarsnovelStar Wars: Darth Plagueis,byJames Luceno.

Davis reprised the role of Professor Moriarty in thethirdand final season ofStar Trek: Picard.[7]

Theatre

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Davis is an established theatre actor. He has appeared in both Broadway and off-Broadway productions in New York,[8]and has appeared at theGuthrie Theaterin Minneapolis, Minnesota.[8]

His first Broadway role was asAntonio SalieriinAmadeusin 1980.

Off-Broadway, he played Rubin inLake No Bottomin 1990, the Duke of Buckingham inThe Tragedy of Richard III,and he starred as Gaev inThe Cherry Orchardin 2011.[8]

In 2000, Davis was nominated for a Best Featured ActorTony Awardfor his role inDavid Hirson'sBroadwayplayWrong Mountain.[9]He playedOscar WildeinThe Invention of Lovein 2001.[8]In 2003, he appeared in theAlan BennettplayTalking Heads.In 2004, he portrayedGeorge Bernard Shawin theStephen SondheimmusicalThe Frogs.He co-starred inLa Cage Aux FolleswithGary Beachfrom November 2004 to March 2005. (Reportedly, he clashed frequently with Beach and others. He was eventually replaced byRobert Goulet.[10])

In 2007, Davis was a member of the cast of an audio production of the playBlue/Orange,in which he took the part of Dr. Robert Smith.

In July 2008, he portrayedKing Learat theShakespeare Theatre of New Jersey,under the direction of Bonnie J. Monte.

In November 2010, Davis was part of theCelebrity Autobiographyseries at theLong Center for the Performing Artsin Austin, Texas. He performed along with fellowNannyalumLauren LaneandUgly BettyalumMichael Urie.[11]

In 2012, he playedProsperoinThe Tempestat Hartford Stage.[12]

In 2015, Davis starred in a one-off performance in A. R. Gurney'sLove LettersoppositeLauren Lanewith proceeds going to the Texas State BFA Acting Program.

In 2016, he appeared on Broadway as Selsdon Mowbray in theRoundabout Theatrerevival ofNoises Offat the American Airlines Theatre.

Filmography

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Film

Year Title Role Notes
1970 The Sidelong Glances of a Pigeon Kicker Skinny Uncredited
1985 Chain Letters Steve
1986 Blind Justice Attorney Seth Thompson TV Movie
1989 K-9 Halstead
1990 The Hunt for Red October Captain Davenport
1990 Havana Marion Chigwell
2005 Thru the Moebius Strip Arthur Voice
2006 The Prestige Judge
2018 Roses are Blind Addison Spelling

TV

Year Title Role Notes
1974 Great Performances Moulineaux 1 episode
1980–81 Texas Eliot Carrington 71 episodes
1983 Hardcastle and McCormick Joe Kello Episode: "The Day the Music Died"
1984 Cagney & Lacey Arthur Cole 1 episode
1984 Highway to Heaven Lance Gaylord Episode: "Catch a Falling Star"
1985 Remington Steele Pierre Fumar Episode: "Gourmet Steele"
1985 Scarecrow and Mrs. King Robert Castille and Tony Martinet Episodes: "Vigilante Mothers" and "All the World's a Stage"
1985 The A-Team Phillips 1 episode
1985 The Eagle and the Bear Underhill TV Movie
1986 George Washington II: The Forging of a Nation Patrick Henry TV Movie
1986 Matlock James Billings Episode: "The Professor"
1986 Cheers Mr. Reinhardt Episode: "The Peterson Principle"
1986 Tall Tales & Legends Congressman 1 episode
1987 Dynasty Harry Thresher Season 8 – 5 Episodes: "The New Moguls", "The Spoiler", "Images", "The Rifle", & "The Scandal"
1987 The Spirit Simon Teasdale TV Movie
1988 Frank's Place Arnold David Tuney 1 episode
1988 The Equalizer Eddie Mason 1 episode
1988 What Price Victory Trainer TV Movie
1988, 1993 Star Trek: The Next Generation Professor James Moriarty Episodes: "Elementary, Dear Data"and"Ship in a Bottle"
1989 MacGyver Mr. Helman / Nicholas Helman Episode: "Halloween Knights"
1991 Palomino Doctor TV Movie
1991 She Stood Alone Parker Elsworth TV Movie
1991 The Perfect Tribute Gov. Curtin TV Movie
1992 Columbo Alex Varrick / Wedding photographer Episode: "No Time to Die"
1992 Civil Wars Harvey Gutfruend Episode: "Tape Fear"
1992 L.A. Law C. Howard Grady Episode: "Love in Bloom"
1992 Murder, She Wrote Neal Dishman Episode: "Badge of Honor"
1993–99 The Nanny Niles 145 episodes
1996 Aaahh!!! Real Monsters Lugo 1 episode
1996 Adventures from the Book of Virtues The Horse / Schoolmaster Dobbins 1 episode
1997 Duckman Rodney 1 episode
1997 Remember WENN Desmond Quist 1 episode
1999 Rugrats Conan McNulty / Wrestler TV Series Short; 1 episode
2000 The Practice Judge Barton Wolfe Episodes: "Summary Judgment", "Germ Warfare" and "Appeal and Denial"
2000 Longhair and Doubledome Longhair Failed pilot; voice only
2002 Frasier Dr Shafer Episode: "Rooms With A View"
2008 Ugly Betty Dr. Morgan Remus Guest, Episode: "Burning Questions"
2010 The Fran Drescher Show Himself Guest
2015 Gotham Jacob Skolimski Episode: "Under the Knife"
2017 The Blacklist Baldur Magnusson Episode:"Natalie Luca [#184]"
2019 Elementary Antoine LaGrange Episode: "The Price of Admission"
2019 The Good Fight Professor Harrison 1 episode
2022 New Amsterdam Vic Wallace Season 4 Episode 21: Castles Made of Sand
2023 Star Trek: Picard Professor James Moriarty Season 3, Episode 6: "The Bounty"
2024 Elsbeth Dr. Yablonsky Season 1, Episode 6: "An Ear for an Ear"

References

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  1. ^"Daniel Davis".Playbill Vault.Playbill.Archivedfrom the original on December 24, 2014.RetrievedDecember 22,2014.
  2. ^abArkatov, Janice (February 18, 1987)."Daniel Davis: An Actor In His Milieu".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on January 11, 2015.RetrievedDecember 22,2014.
  3. ^Zoren, Neal (September 21, 2014)."Michael Learned and Daniel Davis write new chapter in 'Love Letters'".Delaware County Daily Times.Archivedfrom the original on October 25, 2014.RetrievedOctober 25,2014.
  4. ^Ludvigson, Evelyn (December 21, 1994)."Lucky Jill Eikenberry only takes projects that interest her".The Spokesman-Review.Archivedfrom the original on March 11, 2023.RetrievedDecember 22,2014.
  5. ^Horwitz, Simi (September 7, 2004)."Daniel Davis: Playing Shaw in" The Frogs "".Backstage.Archivedfrom the original on December 23, 2014.RetrievedDecember 22,2014.
  6. ^"The Nutler presents...Daniel Davis in the American Theater Wing Seminar".Angelfire. April 19, 2001.Archivedfrom the original on November 8, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 12,2012.
  7. ^Trek Central [@TheTrekCentral] (October 8, 2022)."🚨 NEW - Daniel Davis As PROFESOR MORIARTY! He reprises the role from #StarTrek: The Next Generation for #StarTrekPicard Season 3! https://t.co/kBmjiFWb69"(Tweet).RetrievedDecember 4,2022– viaTwitter.
  8. ^abcd"Daniel Davis Theatre Credits".broadwayworld.Archivedfrom the original on July 29, 2012.RetrievedMarch 8,2018.
  9. ^"Wrong Mountain".Playbill Vault.Playbill. Archived fromthe originalon October 26, 2014.RetrievedOctober 25,2014.
  10. ^Gans, Andrew;Simonson, Robert(March 28, 2005)."Daniel Davis Let Go From La Cage; Robert Goulet to Step in Mid-April".Playbill.Archivedfrom the original on March 3, 2016.RetrievedOctober 25,2014.
  11. ^"Long Center Presents Celebrity Autobiography".Thelongcenter.org. Archived fromthe originalon March 16, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 12,2012.
  12. ^Rizzo, Frank (February 9, 2012)."Daniel Davis Is Prospero In" The Tempest "At Hartford Stage".Hartford Courant.Archivedfrom the original on December 22, 2014.RetrievedDecember 22,2014.
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