Owen Davis Jr.
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.
Owen Gould Davis Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 6, 1907 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | May 21, 1949 (aged 41) Long Island Sound, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1929–1940 |
| Spouse | Laina Muroni |
Biography edit
Born in 1907 in New York City,[citation needed] 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.[citation needed] 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.[citation needed]
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.<[citation needed] Afterward, he became a television producer.[3] Shows produced by Davis included The Chevrolet Tele-Theatre.[4]
He married Laina Muroni.[citation needed]
Davis died on May 21, 1949. He drowned on Long Island Sound.[3] On May 25, 1949, the Nassau County medical examiner ruled that the drowning was accidental.[5]
Filmography edit
| 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) |
References edit
- ^ "Engaged for New Comedy: Owen Davis Jr. to Have Leading Role in 'Babes in the Wood'". The New York Times. February 21, 1928. p. 31. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
- ^ a b "Owen Davis, Jr., Glad to Revisit St. Louis". St. Louis Globe-Democrat. May 3, 1933. p. 18. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Owen Davis Jr. Dead in L. I. Sound; Disappeared From Grounded Yacht". The New York Times. May 22, 1949. p. 1. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
- ^ Hawes, William (November 16, 2015). Live Television Drama, 1946-1951. McFarland. p. 24. ISBN 978-1-4766-0849-5. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
- ^ "Davis Death Accidental: Playwright's Son Drowned -- Rites at 'Little Church'". The New York Times. May 26, 1949. p. 16. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
External links edit
- Owen Davis Jr. at IMDb
- Owen Davis Jr. at the Internet Broadway Database