William B. Davis
Biography
William Bruce Davis is a Canadian actor born in Toronto, Ontario. His birth date is recorded as January 13, 1938, or January 14, 1938, depending on the source. He was born to an attorney father and a psychologist mother, and he graduated from the University of Toronto in 1959 with a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy. He is best known for his role as The Smoking Man or the Cigarette Smoking Man on The X-Files. His other television appearances include roles as Damaris, a Prior of the Ori on Stargate SG-1, Mayor Tate on Smallville, and an aging mobster on Fox's Human Target. Additionally, he worked as a drama professor at Bishop's University and founded the William Davis Centre for Actors Study in Vancouver, British Columbia. He is also a former national champion water skier.
Career overview
William Bruce Davis is a Canadian actor born on January 13, 1938, in Toronto, Ontario. He is best known for his role as The Smoking Man, also referred to as the Cigarette Smoking Man, on the television series The X-Files. Throughout his television career, Davis has appeared in several other notable shows. He portrayed Damaris, a Prior of the Ori, in Stargate SG-1, and appeared as Mayor Tate on Smallville. He also appeared as an aging mobster in Human Target on FOX, and his film and television credits include roles associated with titles such as Akta X, Lovci duchů, and Hodina duchů.
Born to an attorney father and a psychologist mother, Davis graduated from the University of Toronto in 1959 with a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy. Following his graduation, he pursued an academic and educational path in the dramatic arts, serving as a drama professor at Bishop's University. In addition to his performing and academic career, Davis is the founder of the William Davis Centre for Actors Study acting school located in Vancouver, British Columbia. Outside of the entertainment industry and his work in education, he is a former national champion water skier.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
138 titles- Murder in a Small Town (2024) as Captain Darcy Stewart
- Bribe, Inc. (2024) as Figaro (voice)
- Better Off (2024) as Self
- It's a Wonderful Knife (2023) as Roger Evans
- Upload (2020) as David Choak
- 50 States of Fright (2020) as Frank
- Phil (2019) as Father Grant
- Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018) as Methuselah
- Bad Times at the El Royale (2018) as Judge Gordon Hoffman
- Game Over, Man! (2018) as Ray - Security
- The Doctor's Case (2018) as Doctor Watson
- Death Note (2017) as Radio Host
- Residue (2017) as Lamont
- Abduct (2016) as Zane
- 2BR02B: To Be or Naught to Be (2016) as Granddad
- Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Truth Be Told (2015) as Harper
- Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The Impossible Dream (2015) as Harper
- The Real 'X-Files'? (2015) as Himself
- Focus (2014) as Mr. Grant
- The Package (2013) as Dr. Willhelm
- Stonados (2013) as Ben
- Singularity Principle (2013) as Lawrence Cason
- Continuum (2012) as Future Alec Sadler
- The Tall Man (2012) as Sheriff Chestnut
- The Mountain Runners (2012) as Henry Engberg
- Behemoth (2011) as William Walsh
- Rise of the Damned (2011) as Doctor
- R. L. Stine's The Haunting Hour (2010) as Plumberg
- R. L. Stine's The Haunting Hour (2010) as Grandfather
- Human Target (2010) as Whitey Doyle
- Caprica (2010) as Minister Chambers
- Flowers for Norma (2010) as Older Gentleman #2
- Medium Raw (2010) as Dr. Robert Parker
- Amazon Falls (2010) as Calvin
- Web of Desire (2010) as Dr. Charles Friedman
- Damage (2009) as Veltz
- The Thaw (2009) as Ted
- Possession (2009) as Hypnotist
- Something Evil Comes (2009) as Mr. Dutton
- Fear Itself (2008) as Father Chris
- Passengers (2008) as Jack
- In Sickness and in Health (2008) as Father Chris
- Reverse (2008) as Chris
- Reverse (2008) Editor
- Reverse (2008) Writer
- Reverse (2008) Director
- Masters of Science Fiction (2007)
- The Messengers (2007) as Colby Price
- Judicial Indiscretion (2007) as Senator Garland Wolf
- Numb (2007) as Peter Milbank
- Exhuming 'The Messengers' (2007) as Self
- Dark Storm (2006) as General Killion
- Sisters (2006) as Dr. Lucas Bryant
- The Secret of Hidden Lake (2006)
- Her Fatal Flaw (2006) as Richard O'Brien
- Goose on the Loose (2006) as Alphonse David
- Supernatural (2005) as College Professor
- Robson Arms (2005)
- Tilt (2005) as Father Luke
- Dark Pines (2005) as Shannon Fraser
- Max Rules: Adventures of a Super Spy (2005) as Rick Brinkley
- The Cradle Will Fall (2004) as Alex Myerson
- Snakehead Terror (2004) as Doc Jenkins
- The Murdoch Mysteries: Except the Dying (2004) as Alderman Godfrey Shepcote
- Packing Up (2004) as Jenkins
- Packing Up (2004) Writer
- Packing Up (2004) Executive Producer
- Packing Up (2004) Director
- Packing Up (2004) Editor
- Word of Honor (2003) as Lewis Kaplan - Tyson's Boss
- Exchange (2003) Director
- Exchange (2003) Writer
- Exchange (2003) Editor
- Exchange (2003) Producer
- Exchange (2003) Executive Producer
- 100 Days in the Jungle (2002) as Ambassador Shear
- Saint Sinner (2002) as Father Michael
- Aftermath (2002) as Deputy Director Edwards
- Smallville (2001) as William Tate
- Broken Saints (2001) as Benjamin Palmer (voice)
- MythQuest (2001) as Drossos
- Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001) as Cigarette Smoking Man (uncredited)
- The Proposal (2001) as Agent Frank Gruning
- Out of Line (2001) as Russell
- Science Of Death (2001) as Narrator
- Anthrax (2001) as Tye Crow
- Mindstorm (2001) as Parish
- Andromeda (2000) as Professor Logitch
- Perpetrators of the Crime (2000) as Henderson
- Becoming Dick (2000) as Dr. Hardwin
- Killing Moon (1999) as Ed
- Murder Most Likely (1999) as Detective Inspector
- First Wave (1998) as Sagon
- The X-Files (1998) as The Cigarette-Smoking Man
- Voyage of Terror (1998) as Dr. Norman Ellisy
- Inside The X-Files (1998) as Self
- Stargate SG-1 (1997) as Damaris
- Poltergeist: The Legacy (1996) as Dr. Bill Nigel
- Unforgettable (1996) as Doctor
- More Secrets of the X-Files (1996) as Self
- The Outer Limits (1995) as John Wymer
- The Outer Limits (1995) as Dr. Frank Biemler
- The Outer Limits (1995) as Ed
- Sliders (1995) as Prof. Myman
- Dangerous Intentions (1995) as Group Leader
- Secrets of the X-Files (1995) as Self
- Circumstances Unknown (1995) as Gene Reuschel
- When the Vows Break (1995) as Dr. Alexander
- Not Our Son (1995) as Police Chief
- Don't Talk to Strangers (1994) as Huddleston
- Heart of a Child (1994) as Vern
- The X-Files (1993) as Cigarette Smoking Man
- The X-Files (1993) as Cancer Man
- The X-Files (1993) as SS Oberfuehrer / Smoking Man
- The X-Files (1993) as CGB Spender
- The X-Files (1993) Writer
- Nightmare Cafe (1992) as Doctor
- The Commish (1991)
- Omen IV: The Awakening (1991) as Lawyer (uncredited)
- The Hitman (1991) as Dr. Atkins
- It (1990) as Mr. Gedreau
- Anything to Survive (1990) as Dr Reynolds
- Look Who's Talking (1989) as Drug Doctor
- Midnight Matinee (1988) as Heath Harris
- 21 Jump Street (1987) as Mr. Weidlin
- 21 Jump Street (1987) as Mr. Wickenton
- 21 Jump Street (1987) as Judge Harrison
- Wiseguy (1987)
- Sworn to Silence (1987) as Peter Massio
- Deadly Deception (1987) as Lawyer
- MacGyver (1985) as Judge
- Danger Bay (1985) as Norris
- Head Office (1985) as University Dean
- The Cuckoo Bird (1985) as Ted
- Airwolf (1984) as F.I.R.M. Official
- Airwolf (1984) as Newman
- The Dead Zone (1983) as Ambulance Driver
- 49th & Main Creator
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is William B. Davis best known for?
William B. Davis is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Murder in a Small Town (2024), Upload (2020), Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018), Bad Times at the El Royale (2018).
When and where was William B. Davis born?
William B. Davis was born on January 13, 1938 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
How many credits does William B. Davis have?
William B. Davis has accumulated over 138 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1983 to 2024.
What is William B. Davis's background in cinema and television?
William Bruce Davis is a Canadian actor born in Toronto, Ontario. His birth date is recorded as January 13, 1938, or January 14, 1938, depending on the source. He was born to an attorney father and a psychologist mother, and he graduated from the University of Toronto in 1959 with a bachelor of arts degree in philosoph...